Verse
Nobody's talking
About the man on the street that they walk in
In the same spot everyday
And somehow thats ok
As your walking to work in your suit and your tie
You're in such hurry you don't bat an eye
At the man on the street
Everyone's passing by
Bridge
It wasn't always this way
I had a job with good pay
I had a house in the hills
Looking down on L.A
Then a took a wrong turn
I watched everything burn away
Chorus
Don't act like it don't matter
Don't matter to who?
Don't matter to me
Don't act like it don't matter
It ain't hard to see
Don't act like it don't matter
Well you know it could be you or me
In our hour of need
Verse
Now the mans on the TV,
Telling stories about how
People either good or bad
Not about the truth or the lives they had
Now you're looking down at me like I'm a robber and a thief
As you walk on by with your false beliefs
And you judge and you sigh
I'm left hanging on out to dry
Bridge
" "
Chorus
" "
Middle 8
Nobody's looking out for me
I sit here alone
All day under the palm trees
Watch the fancy wheels roll by
Spare a dollar please
I really need the money
I could really use somebody
But you brush me off
You don't look back
You better hope nobody knock you off of your track
Chorus x2
Lyrically the song challenges society's views on the homeless and highlights the drastic gap that separates the rich and the poor in Los Angeles. Verse one explores the ways in which the homeless are overlooked in our busy modern lives. It also suggests that people living on the street has become such a common sight that it is now normalised, meaning society doesn't see an urgent need to address the problem. Verse two demonstrates how society even avoids the homeless or holds them accountable for their misfortune due to stereotypes portrayed on TV and in the media. The bridging sections serve to capture the listeners sympathy by exhibiting the ways in which the homeless are human just like anyone else. The drastic shift in lifestyle of the subject in the bridge demonstrates how in todays world anyone could be forced to face poverty. After hearing these sections the chorus then challenges the listeners apathy toward the matter directly, urging them "Don't act like it don't matter." Finally the middle 8 expands on the themes covered in the verses, further demonstrating that despite the fact the subject is surrounded by wealth nobody is prepared to offer help. The final line is a warning to the listener, "You better hope nobody knock you off of your track," because if things stay the way they are anyone who falls into poverty will be doomed to stay there.
I feel that the lyrics I have written fit with Blacc's goals of promoting social change through music. The platform he has for challenging societal issues such as poverty is excellent for reaching large numbers of the population. From my research in the analysing songwriting module I have learned that incongruencies between lyrics and music may actually persuade more listeners into accepting the writers message.
You can listen to the full track by clicking the tab below.
Nobody's talking
About the man on the street that they walk in
In the same spot everyday
And somehow thats ok
As your walking to work in your suit and your tie
You're in such hurry you don't bat an eye
At the man on the street
Everyone's passing by
Bridge
It wasn't always this way
I had a job with good pay
I had a house in the hills
Looking down on L.A
Then a took a wrong turn
I watched everything burn away
Chorus
Don't act like it don't matter
Don't matter to who?
Don't matter to me
Don't act like it don't matter
It ain't hard to see
Don't act like it don't matter
Well you know it could be you or me
In our hour of need
Verse
Now the mans on the TV,
Telling stories about how
People either good or bad
Not about the truth or the lives they had
Now you're looking down at me like I'm a robber and a thief
As you walk on by with your false beliefs
And you judge and you sigh
I'm left hanging on out to dry
Bridge
" "
Chorus
" "
Middle 8
Nobody's looking out for me
I sit here alone
All day under the palm trees
Watch the fancy wheels roll by
Spare a dollar please
I really need the money
I could really use somebody
But you brush me off
You don't look back
You better hope nobody knock you off of your track
Chorus x2
Lyrically the song challenges society's views on the homeless and highlights the drastic gap that separates the rich and the poor in Los Angeles. Verse one explores the ways in which the homeless are overlooked in our busy modern lives. It also suggests that people living on the street has become such a common sight that it is now normalised, meaning society doesn't see an urgent need to address the problem. Verse two demonstrates how society even avoids the homeless or holds them accountable for their misfortune due to stereotypes portrayed on TV and in the media. The bridging sections serve to capture the listeners sympathy by exhibiting the ways in which the homeless are human just like anyone else. The drastic shift in lifestyle of the subject in the bridge demonstrates how in todays world anyone could be forced to face poverty. After hearing these sections the chorus then challenges the listeners apathy toward the matter directly, urging them "Don't act like it don't matter." Finally the middle 8 expands on the themes covered in the verses, further demonstrating that despite the fact the subject is surrounded by wealth nobody is prepared to offer help. The final line is a warning to the listener, "You better hope nobody knock you off of your track," because if things stay the way they are anyone who falls into poverty will be doomed to stay there.
I feel that the lyrics I have written fit with Blacc's goals of promoting social change through music. The platform he has for challenging societal issues such as poverty is excellent for reaching large numbers of the population. From my research in the analysing songwriting module I have learned that incongruencies between lyrics and music may actually persuade more listeners into accepting the writers message.
You can listen to the full track by clicking the tab below.