Savannah Paletta Song Analysis

Love Song by the Damned

Released in April of 1979, Love Song was on The Damned third album Machine Gun Etiquette.  This 2 minute and 22 second song can be classified as a typical punk song of the late 70s because of its fast tempo and language. Though the lyrics are not “in your face” and angry, they are repetitive, rhythmic, and clear with a few outbursts. Though the lyrics are repetitive, I think that The Damned thought about their lyrics and the message that they are trying to share. They say lines such as “I'll be the ticket if you're my collector
I've charge the fare if you're my inspector,” showing that they want the person they are talking about to be in their life and be their “other half.” The song also incorporates heavy drums and guitars, which really bring out the punk aspect of the song. The instrumental portion of the song is definitely true punk because of its volume and intensity, but once the lyrics are sung the song could be categorized more under post punk and even somewhat rock. This is because the lyrics create somewhat of an upbeat feel to the song. The title of the song is also ironic because most love songs are usually slow, whereas this one if fast and loud. The album cover is bright and shows a scene of the members of the Damned walking across the street of a city. This portrays the ultimate punk meaning of sending a message to society and going against the norms. By walking across the street of heavy traffic, they are going against the norms of society by not waiting their turn. The cover is bright and the group looks rebellious like the classic reputation of punks in today’s society. Love Song by the Damned’s fast tempo, heavy guitar and drums, and repetition are all  reasons why it is classified as a punk song, but its clear words, light hearted feeling characterizes it as post punk and even into part of the pop genre.

Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos by Public Enemy 

Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos by Public Enemy was a complete opposite of the first song. For instance it was released in April of 1989 and was a 6 minute and 24 second long song. This length was already much longer than your average punk song and contained many different characteristic that helped categorize it at Hip-hop in stead of a punk song. The song was a much slower with a more melodic beat and contained clear and understandable lyrics. Instead of being sung or screamed like songs in the post punk or hardcore genres, Public Enemy “rapped” or talked their message with very long lyrics which were not repetitive. Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos also told a political story throughout the song talking about the resentment towards black people throughout the parts of American Society. Public Enemy’s critic went hand in hand with Bang’s explanation in “The White Noise Supremacists.” Bangs describes how in a society when you add all the words and verbal abuse into a song, you create a line for yourself and your friends that is always going to be crossed because of mis-interpretations or long time rage. Public Enemy worked to show the inequalities between blacks and white and the treatment of blacks in the society through their lyrics and messages theyre songs brought with them. In the song, Public enemy discusses, “Here is a land that never gave a damn / About a brother like me and myself / Because they never did” explaining how in America black people are usually more accused of doing things wrong than white people and end up going to prison for crimes they did not commit. The lyrics and messages presented in the song are typical of punk artist because they are angry with society and trying to rebel against it, but the sound of the song definitely leans more towards hip hop. Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos was on Public Enemy’s album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back and corresponds more to the hip hot genre based on their clothing and style. Though the men are there and behind bars trying to make a statement, the album cover is not very in your face or graphic rather it is one picture of them. Over all because of the style and the talking aspects of the song, Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos by Public Enemy would be considered Hip hop instead of in the punk rock genre even though the content and meaning of the music relates to the original punk meaning.

Nadir's Big Chance By Peter Hammill

Nadir's Big Chance By Peter Hammill released in February of 1975 definitely was made during the beginning of punk rock. Its “in your face” nature, aggressive lyrics and heavy guitars and drums are all elements of a “classic” punk song. “Classic punk” meaning a song which breaks from society and would not be considered normal at the time which is trying to send a message to the society. Hammill’s lyrics obviously proved his dissatisfaction with society at the time by having aggressive statements such as, “I'm gonna scream, gonna shout, gonna play my guitar
until your body's rigid and you see stars” 
and “Smash the system with the song.” These messages are showing the anger inside of these artist and how they feel about their community they are in now. They prove these people’s indentiy and urge to “go against the man.” The 3 minute an thirty four second song is a little longer than the typical punk rock length, but still had the time to be characterized under the punk genre. One instrument which Peter hammiill used was sudden bursts of saxophone which helped the loud and somewhat violent environment which the group was attracting. Also the vocals of the song were extremely scratchy with loud, nasty sound quality. The title itself goes with punk beliefs because “Nadir” means the very bottom below anything, and even coming to an end. Punks felt like they were below society which is what Nadir means. The Album cover of Nadir's Big Chance By Peter Hammill also supports categorizing it as a punk song. Nadir's Big Chance album us also extremely eye contact even though is an obvious chaotic cover even though it is black and white, not necessarily in your face but very chaotic with a lot going on. The re-run single frame pictures are individualistic and self expressive relating to their lyrics and how they feel about society. In Bangs “Rock ‘n’ Roll: White or Black?, Anonymous says that punk can be classified as “rough, rocky and gut-wrenching” which is exactly what Peter Hammill accomplished with his bold, dark and aggressive song. The song’s lyrics are definitely gut-wrenching because he does not care what society thinks of him or his message therefore will say what ever he wants. The song is also rough and rocky because if its true “punk rockiness” and how the attitude but be violent and not the same for everyone. Overall, Nadir's Big Chance By Peter Hammill is a typical punk song with its heaving outburst and instrumental aspects, as well as its aggressive lyrics and scratchy voice.