Musically speaking, "Belief" by John Mayer is probably one of my favorite songs at the moment. It just has a relaxed feel with some slightly troublesome undertones. Those undertones become far more evident, however, when one actually listens to the words that are being sung. Mayer seems to have some pretty intriguing views about the world, some of which I agree with, some of which I'm not so sure about.
He starts out by saying that people, in general, tend to believe the same thing as those around them. There may be different "belief systems" but, within those systems, nobody "breaks rank," or really thinks for themself. He also notes how this can be both a good and a bad thing (after all, religion gives many people undeniable peace). The bad comes because different people run into each other that believe different things but, since neither of them are willing to consider the other's beliefs, they don't know what else to do other than "go to war"--often literally. I believe that, by writing this song, Mayer is submitting a challenge to whoever will listen to carefully consider their motives for such devastating and hateful actions. Often people's motives simply boil down to belief which, according to Mayer, is frequently random and unfounded.
Is there anyone who ever remembers
changing their mind from the paint on a sign?,
is there anyone who really recalls
ever breaking rank at all
for something someone yelled real loud one time?
oh, everyone believes
in how they think it oughta be
oh, everyone believes
and they're not going easily
belief is a beautiful armor
but makes for the heaviest sword
like punching underwater
you never can hit who you're trying for
some lead the exhibition
and some have to know they tried
it's the chemical weapon
for the war that's raging on inside
oh, everyone believes
from emptiness to everything
oh, everyone believes
and no one's going quietly
we're never gonna win the world
we're never gonna stop the war
we're never gonna beat this
if belief is what we're fighting for
what puts a hundred thousand children in the sand?
belief can, belief can
what puts a folded flag inside his mother's hand?
belief can, belief can
Song analysis
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Choose one of your favorite songs, a favorite song both musically and
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I really like this song and what you had to say about it. The beginning few lines are really good, about changing your mind from the paint on a sign or "for something someone yelled real loud one time..." I believe today's society and high school especially makes it really hard for an individual to believe their own beliefs and be themselves. It takes a strong and admirable person to believe something different than those around them. Mayer is right when he says, "belief is a beautiful armor but makes for the heaviest sword."
ReplyDeleteVery similar in message to Poland's song. Why do we believe waht we believe? How often do we really ask ourselves: "Why do I believe this? Is it something that was thrust at me and I simply accept? Or have I legitimately given it some thought?"
ReplyDelete--Great song with some great questions worth asking.