Philosophy With Ralph
Philosophy With Ralph
Songs with Existential Themes, Part 1
In this episode, I review themes of disenchantment, nihilism, and religious faith as they show up in Rock the Machine by Lisa O'Neill, Do Nothing by The Specials, and God's Song by Randy Newman.
Rock the Machine Lyrics
Audio Clip 1
I'm losing will, love
My hands are soft as cotton gloves
Machine has eaten up my job
My meaning, my cause
Audio Clip 2
Today, dear, I'm unemployed
Before I spoke, you read my eyes
I feared of nothing or no one
But I feel old and I'm so young
I miss the graft, I miss the boys
I plead for purpose in the void
Time is inward, ticking tighter
I wish my load was a mountain lighter
Audio Clip 3
River rock the machine until it dies
River rock the machine down on the docks
River rock the machine until it stops
Do Nothing Lyrics
Audio Clip 1
Each day I walk along this lonely street
Trying to find, find a future
New pair of shoes are on my feet
Cause fashion is my only culture
Nothing ever change, oh no
Nothing ever change
People say to me just be yourself
It makes no sense to follow fashion
How could I be anybody else
I don't try, I've got no reason
Nothing ever change, oh no
Nothing ever change
I'm just living in a life without meaning
I walk and walk, do nothing
I'm just living in a life without feeling
I talk and talk, say nothing
Audio Clip 2
They're just living in a life without meaning
I walk and walk, do nothing
They're just playing in a life without thinking
They talk and talk, say nothing
I'm just living in a life without feeling
I walk and walk, I'm dreaming
I'm just living in a life without feeling
I talk and talk, say nothing
I'm just living in a life without meaning
I walk and walk, do nothing
God's Song Lyrics
Audio Clip 1
Cain slew Abel,
Seth knew not why
For if the children of Israel were to multiply
Why must any of the children die?
So he asked the Lord And the Lord said:
Man means nothing, he means less to me
Than the lowliest cactus flower
Or the humblest Yucca tree
He chases round this desert
'Cause he thinks that's where I'll be
That's why I love mankind
Audio Clip 2
And they began to speak
They said, "Lord, a plague is on the world
Lord, no man is free
The temples that we built to you
Have tumbled into the sea
Lord, if you won't take care of us
Won't you please, please let us be?"
And the Lord said
And the Lord said:
I burn down your cities, how blind you must be
I take from you your children and you say, "how blessed are we?"
You all must be crazy to put your faith in me
That's why I love mankind
You really need me
That's why I love mankind