This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/may/29/readers-recommend-songs-about-independence

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Readers recommend: songs about independence Readers recommend: songs about independence
(4 months later)
This week at the Readers Recommend This week at the Readers Recommend freehouse it is time to serve up what the great Maya Angelou, who sadly died this week, called "a heady draught. It does not matter that its taste is not always appealing. It is addictive and with each drink you want more." So let's taste some, and then have another. Independence is often an attractive quality in people, and can be a noble pursuit. But it is also double-edged and a potent brew for song. With it comes responsibility, cost, and as history has often shown, disappointment, compromise, suffering and even bloodshed. On all levels, and throughout life, independence is something humans have craved: children from their parents, workers from the shadow of big business, women's rights and freedom from slavery.
freehouse it is time to serve up what the great Maya Angelou, who And of course, much of this is passionately expressed in music. Songwriters are, by necessity, also often independent-minded. They might fight against record companies or band members, yearn to go it alone, but they also need others to help them reach their goal. They seek to express themselves as individuals, and yet their art often comes to full fruition when their song is sung by a multitude. As Vivian Stanshall put it, less seriously: "Why can't I be different and unusual ... like everybody else?"
sadly died this week, called "a heady draught. It does not matter that The pursuit of independence runs through the veins of human history with as much bloody violence as glory, stimulating song, whether that be in the American war of 1775-82 to Ireland, India, Africa, or South America, or any other invaded country, wherein all were escaping from or imposing the clutches of empire. And now the internet itself, the bearer of so much independent expression and freedom, is itself vulnerable to such control, as Edward Snowden's revelations on NSA surveillance reveal. As Glenn Greenwald, who helped bring these revelations said: “I don't have a 'side' – I'm responsible for what I say and nothing else.”
its taste is not always appealing. It is addictive and with each Political independence is a particularly hot topic, with the rise, for now, of Ukip and other right-wing anti-EU political parties, and, separately, the forthcoming vote on Scottish independence. So, in whatever context you choose, suggest songs about independence in this, our friendly freehouse, where all are welcome, without prejudice. And enjoy this potent brew, for it is laced with paradox, for, as Joseph Heller satirically put it, on the predicament of Yossarian in Catch-22: "The country was in peril; he was jeopardising his traditional rights of freedom and independence by daring to exercise them."
drink you want more." So let's taste some, and then have another. Independence is often an attractive quality in people, and can be a noble pursuit. But it is also double-edged and a Small caveat? Many years ago we had some songs on the subject of freedom, but feel at liberty for many other suggestions. This week's highly independent arbiter is the stupendous sonofwebcore, who will select your offerings placed in comments below up to last orders (11pm BST) on Monday 2 June for the results on Thursday 5 June.
potent brew for song. With it comes responsibility, cost, and as
history has often shown, disappointment, compromise, suffering and
even bloodshed. On all levels, and throughout life, independence is
something humans have craved: children from their parents, workers
from the shadow of big business, women's rights and freedom from slavery.
And of course, much of this is passionately expressed in music. Songwriters are, by necessity, also often independent-minded. They
might fight against record companies or band members, yearn to go
it alone, but they also need others to help them reach their goal. They
seek to express themselves as individuals, and yet their art often comes to full fruition when their song is sung by a multitude. As
Vivian Stanshall put it, less seriously: "Why can't I be
different and unusual ... like everybody else?"
The pursuit of independence runs
through the veins of human history with as much bloody violence as
glory, stimulating song, whether that be in the American war of 1775-82 to Ireland,
India, Africa, or South America, or any other invaded country, wherein all were escaping from or imposing
the clutches of empire. And now the internet itself, the bearer of so
much independent expression and freedom, is itself vulnerable to such control, as Edward Snowden's revelations on NSA surveillance reveal.
As Glenn Greenwald, who helped bring these revelations said: “I
don't have a 'side' – I'm responsible for what I say and nothing
else.”
Political independence is a particularly hot topic, with the
rise, for now, of Ukip and other right-wing anti-EU political
parties, and, separately, the forthcoming vote on Scottish independence. So, in whatever
context you choose, suggest songs about
independence in this, our friendly freehouse, where all are welcome, without prejudice. And enjoy this potent brew,
for it is laced with paradox, for, as Joseph Heller satirically put
it, on the predicament of Yossarian in Catch-22: "The country
was in peril; he was jeopardising his traditional rights of freedom
and independence by daring to exercise them."
Small caveat? Many years ago we had some songs on the subject of freedom, but feel at liberty for many other suggestions. This week's highly independent arbiter is the stupendous sonofwebcore, who will select your offerings placed in comments below up to last orders (11pm BST) on Monday 2 June for the results on Thursday 5 June.
To increase the likelihood of your nomination being considered, please:To increase the likelihood of your nomination being considered, please:
• Tell us why it's a worthy contender.• Quote lyrics if helpful, but for copyright reasons no more than a third of a song's words.• Provide a link to the song. We prefer Muzu or YouTube, but Spotify, SoundCloud or Grooveshark are fine.• Listen to others people's suggestions and add yours to a collaborative Spotify playlist.• If you have a good theme for Readers recommend, or if you'd like to volunteer to compile a playlist, please email peter.kimpton@theguardian.com or adam.boult@theguardian.com• There's a wealth of data on RR, including the songs that are "zedded", at the Marconium. It also tells you the meaning of "zedded", "donds" and other strange words used by RR regulars.• Many RR regulars also congregate at the 'Spill blog.• Tell us why it's a worthy contender.• Quote lyrics if helpful, but for copyright reasons no more than a third of a song's words.• Provide a link to the song. We prefer Muzu or YouTube, but Spotify, SoundCloud or Grooveshark are fine.• Listen to others people's suggestions and add yours to a collaborative Spotify playlist.• If you have a good theme for Readers recommend, or if you'd like to volunteer to compile a playlist, please email peter.kimpton@theguardian.com or adam.boult@theguardian.com• There's a wealth of data on RR, including the songs that are "zedded", at the Marconium. It also tells you the meaning of "zedded", "donds" and other strange words used by RR regulars.• Many RR regulars also congregate at the 'Spill blog.