Write a 1500-2000-word essay about the story of a single song.
Write about the following song:
– “Gangnam” by PSY
I suggest you research your chosen song by doing the following five steps:
1. Listen to the song carefully. Listen again. On the third listen, take notes on what you hear.
2. Search for journalistic articles about the song in google. Consider looking at the sites for publications such as Rolling Stone, Billboard, the New York Times, Washington Post, the Guardian, the New Yorker, Atlantic, and NPR. There is quite a bit of journalistic writing about all four of these songs.
3. Search for older journalistic articles by searching the historic newspaper archives available through the library.
4. Read the articles you have found through your research. Take note of significant moments in the song’s history, as well as relevant songs, styles, music-cultures, and specific musicians that were sampled or were inspirations for the song.
5. Now research those additional relevant songs, styles, music-cultures, and musicians through the Music and Performing Arts Library website. Your research at this stage should include reading about and listening to relevant songs, styles, and so on. I expect you to check out Oxford Music Online for information on musical genres, instruments, and music-cultures.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Phenomenon of “Gangnam” by PSY: A Global Musical Encounter
Introduction
Music has always been a powerful medium for cultural expression, serving as a reflection of society and a platform for social commentary. In recent years, one song in particular has transcended cultural boundaries and captivated the world with its infectious beat and catchy lyrics – “Gangnam” by PSY. This essay aims to explore the story behind this iconic song, examining its cultural and musical encounters, the politics of representation, the demands of the music industry, the significance of genre, and the local cultural histories that contributed to its success.
The Soundscape of “Gangnam”
Before delving into the contextual aspects of “Gangnam,” it is essential to analyze its sonic qualities. The song’s melodies follow a distinct contour, characterized by repetitive hooks and a rhythmic structure that drives the listener’s engagement. The tempo of “Gangnam” is upbeat and energetic, designed to make people move and dance. The timbres of both instruments and voices in the song create a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere, blending traditional Korean elements with contemporary pop idioms. Moreover, studio effects and non-musical sounds contribute to the overall texture of the song, showcasing the meticulous production values behind its success.
Cultural and Musical Encounters
“Gangnam” represents a prime example of cultural encounters in music, as it seamlessly blends traditional Korean elements with Western pop influences. PSY, the South Korean artist behind the song, successfully fused his native musical traditions with modern hip-hop and electronic dance music. This blend of genres created a unique sonic landscape that appealed to diverse audiences worldwide. Furthermore, “Gangnam” introduced Korean pop culture to a global audience, sparking interest in K-pop and leading to the rise of other Korean artists in the international music scene.
The song’s success also raised important questions about cultural appropriation and hybridity. While “Gangnam” showcased Korean music and dance styles, it incorporated elements from Western pop culture. Some critics argue that PSY’s use of these Western influences could be seen as a form of cultural appropriation. However, others argue that cultural exchange is an inherent part of artistic expression and that PSY’s intention was to create a fusion that celebrated both Korean and Western cultures.
The Politics of Representation
As “Gangnam” gained popularity worldwide, it became a symbol of South Korea’s economic success and growing global influence. The lyrics of the song satirically depict the affluent Gangnam district in Seoul, known for its luxurious lifestyle and high social status. By playfully critiquing societal norms and materialism, PSY challenged the stereotypical image of South Korea while simultaneously perpetuating certain aspects of it.
However, it is crucial to acknowledge that “Gangnam” represents only one facet of South Korean culture. The song’s global success brought both positive and negative attention to the country, highlighting the complexities of representation in the media. It is essential to recognize the diversity within a culture rather than reducing it to a singular narrative.
The Demands of Music Industries
The success of “Gangnam” sheds light on the demands and challenges faced by artists within the music industry. PSY was relatively unknown outside of South Korea before the release of this song, but it quickly became a viral sensation due to its catchy melodies, humorous lyrics, and memorable dance moves. The music industry’s role in promoting certain artists and songs cannot be overlooked.
Moreover, “Gangnam” exemplifies how digital platforms have transformed the music industry landscape. The song’s popularity was propelled by online platforms such as YouTube, where its music video became one of the most-watched videos in history. This highlights the power of social media in amplifying artists’ reach and shaping global musical trends.
The Significance of Genre
Genre classification plays a significant role in shaping our perception and understanding of music. “Gangnam” challenges genre boundaries by incorporating elements from various genres such as K-pop, hip-hop, and electronic dance music. This cross-genre fusion contributed to its widespread appeal as it attracted fans from different musical backgrounds.
However, genre classification can also limit an artist’s creative freedom and restrict their ability to explore new sonic territories. PSY’s success with “Gangnam” opened doors for other Korean artists to experiment with different genres and challenge established musical conventions.
Local Cultural Histories
To fully comprehend the significance of “Gangnam,” it is crucial to consider the local cultural histories that shaped Korean popular music. K-pop has a rich heritage rooted in traditional Korean music, which has evolved over time through influences from Western pop, hip-hop, and R&B.
PSY himself drew inspiration from various Korean musical practices and integrated them into his own unique style. By incorporating traditional Korean dance moves and musical elements into “Gangnam,” PSY paid homage to his cultural heritage while simultaneously showcasing the evolution of Korean popular music.
Conclusion
“Gangnam” by PSY stands as a testament to the power of music in transcending cultural boundaries and captivating global audiences. This essay explored the story behind this iconic song, highlighting its cultural and musical encounters, the politics of representation, the demands of the music industry, the significance of genre, and the local cultural histories that contributed to its success.
By blending traditional Korean elements with contemporary pop influences, “Gangnam” showcased PSY’s ability to fuse disparate genres into a cohesive whole. The song’s success not only introduced Korean popular music to a global audience but also raised important discussions about cultural appropriation, representation in the media, and the transformative power of digital platforms.
Ultimately, “Gangnam” represents a moment in music history where diverse cultures intersected, creating a global phenomenon that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
