I might be crazy, but listening to "I've Got a Feeling" by the Black-Eyed Peas (particularly the "I've Got a Feeling" refrain) is a melancholy experience. It's uplifting, to a point, but I hear in "I've got a feeling that tonight's gonna be a good night" that 1) it's far from certain that tonight will be good (the speaker just has a "feeling") and 2) that many nights probably haven't been good nights, since it demands expression. I think that sentiment adds to the effect the song has, though, by prompting people to subconsciously pull together because we're all yearning for the same thing. Then when the song changes to the actual actions of the party (in the present moreso than the future tense), everyone can start actually celebrating instead of just desiring.
As I mentioned in my previous post, there are some songs (particularly by The Killers) that are hard on me right now. Mr. Brightside has been painful since it's closely connected to Laura (via Rock Band and its content). But as evidenced by the previous post, I've also been listening to "All These Things I've Done." It, and its American music video, is (I think) about the weight of sin and the how it continually comes back to you. ("I've got soul but I'm not a soldier" as an indictment, an inability to fight against that which continually comes back to attack you). But it's also a call for help "Yeah, you know you got to help me out" and another instance of a song, sung alone, as a plea, but when together as a mutually recognized plea that changes from desperation to unification and determination ("I've got soul but I'm not a soldier" turns into a positive idea, one that focuses upon the benevolent, peaceful nature of the speaker, a reassurance because the individual may have flaws but does not intentionally harm and fight others as a soldier would). I want to harness that sentiment. Right now, I'm the one thinking of the things I've done and calling for help. But I want the song to be an acknowledgement of need, a call that is ok to make and one that I am ready and able to answer. And as the British version demonstrates, I think The Killers do too.
As I mentioned in my previous post, there are some songs (particularly by The Killers) that are hard on me right now. Mr. Brightside has been painful since it's closely connected to Laura (via Rock Band and its content). But as evidenced by the previous post, I've also been listening to "All These Things I've Done." It, and its American music video, is (I think) about the weight of sin and the how it continually comes back to you. ("I've got soul but I'm not a soldier" as an indictment, an inability to fight against that which continually comes back to attack you). But it's also a call for help "Yeah, you know you got to help me out" and another instance of a song, sung alone, as a plea, but when together as a mutually recognized plea that changes from desperation to unification and determination ("I've got soul but I'm not a soldier" turns into a positive idea, one that focuses upon the benevolent, peaceful nature of the speaker, a reassurance because the individual may have flaws but does not intentionally harm and fight others as a soldier would). I want to harness that sentiment. Right now, I'm the one thinking of the things I've done and calling for help. But I want the song to be an acknowledgement of need, a call that is ok to make and one that I am ready and able to answer. And as the British version demonstrates, I think The Killers do too.
Dylan - You know I'm not good at this, but I care about you. Hang in there.