Comments | spaczek_27: Melancholy and Marvin Gaye

spaczek_27

Melancholy and Marvin Gaye

Feb 05, 2006 12:06

This weekend I was exposed to exactly 153 songs ranging from 1939-1990 and I had to write my personal feelings on each one. Due to this fact during the lecture this week when the professor began to explain poetic melancholy I thought of a record I listen to by Marvin Gaye called; "What's Going On". The professor described Poetic Melancholy as ( Read more... )

Comments 3

nareesas February 18 2006, 07:29:00 UTC

"What's Going On" has become a sort of anthem for those who are trying to change the dire conditions of the world. I agree with you that there is the melancholic feel to it. A powerful message is framed by a beautiful rythme. When listening to the song, you can't help but reflect on your own surroundings.

Beyond Melancholy pitchgreen February 20 2006, 01:55:57 UTC

I'll admit, I haven't heard the song, or rather I haven't heard it in the context of melancholy, but from the way you describe the song, I doubt it expresses feelings of melancholy, and more feelings of sadness, regret, and and urge to action.

I think melancholy is a feeling like: ho-hum, its so sad, but there's nothing we can do about it.

By your description, Marvin Gaye's song is about the opposite. The message of the song comes accross as: It's wrong and we can stop it.
which is different from mere melancholy.

Melancholy mysteryofgod March 20 2006, 20:56:33 UTC

"What's Going On" is a song you have to hear to understand the melancholy in it. It is a great song to exemplify this. I think another good melancholy song is Bob Marley's Redemption Song. "All I've ever had were these songs of freedom".