America is a consumer nation.
No one can really disagree with that. We take and take and take and, most of the time, never even think to give anything back. We’ve become an entertainment culture, always looking to be entertained by outside sources. In the text an entertainment culture, is said to be where Americans turn to a world where “the line between fantasy and reality has been blurred [and] they can find a compensation for the lack of excitement in everyday life.” Where once “entertainment” was found by making it yourself, now “entertainment” is only consumed. We look to the talents, efforts, and lives of others to be entertained. But take a look at how EXTREME we are on the consumer scale. Even the PRODUCERS of our entertainment entertain us (and themselves) with CONSUMPTION. Might I introduce a collection of songs that would be on a “Greedy Greatest Hits” album.
1. Material Girl – Madonna
…the boy with the cold hard cash is always mister right, cause we are living in a material world and I am a material girl.
2. Ride Wit Me – Nelly
…if you wanna go and take a ride wit me we’re 3-wheelin in the 4 with the gold d’s. Oh, why do I live this way? Hey! Must be the money!
3. Boys and Girls – Good Charlotte
…Girls don’t like boys, girls like cars and money…The girls with the bodies like boys with Ferraris.
4. Rich Girl – Gwen Stefani
…Cause I'd have all the money in the world, if I was a wealthy girl, Think what money could bring. I’d buy everything. No, wouldn’t just have one hood, a Hollywood mansion if I could.
5. Money – Pink Floyd
…Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash. New car, caviar, four star daydream. Think I’ll buy me a football team.
6. Independent Woman – Destiny’s Child
…the shoes on my feet…the clothes I’m wearin’…the watch you’re wearin’…the house I live in…the car I’m drivin’ I’ve bought it…If you’re gonna brag make sure it’s your money you flaunt.
7. If I Had a Million Dollars – Barenaked Ladies
…I’d buy you a house…furniture for your house…a fur coat…an exotic pet…we wouldn’t have to walk to the store, we’d take a limousine cause it costs more…
8. Opportunities – Pet Shop Boys
…Ask yourself this question: Do you want to be rich? I’ve got the brains, you’ve got the looks, let’s make lots of money.
I definitely don't know all the music there is out there- so to respond to this, pick a "consumer" lyric in one of your favorite songs and add to the list. :) there are a TON.
- Kristin McGuire
36 comments:
it's stuff like this that just perpetuates the consumer culture even more. we have music artists inserting the names of brands into their songs, automatically making those things "cool" in the eyes of the public. think all the way back to LFO's "Summer Girls"
-"I like girls that wear Abercrombie and Fitch"
and guess what? people went out in DROVES to buy A&F stuff.
More recently, Fergie's song "My Humps" listed several famous clothing designers, and a lot of people only think they're cool because Fergie said so.
"Dolce & Gabbana,
Fendi and then Donna
Karen, they be sharin’...Seven Jeans, True Religion,
I say no, but they keep givin’..."
"Gucci, Fendi, Prada purses, purchasing them finer things
Men they come a dime a dozen, just give me them diamond rings
I'm into a lot of bling, Cadillac, Chanel and Coach
Fellas boast but they can't really handle my female approach
Buying things is hard to say
Rocking Christian Audigier, Manolo, Polo, taking photos in my Cartier
So we can't go all the way, I know you might hate it but
I'm a shop for labels while them ladies lay and wait for love"
so this is the song from the new sex and the city movie. enough said.
The ultimate goal in America is to be rich and to have the big house with all the fixings. These songs reflect this desire. I think that everyone in the world would like to have more money, but we in America want to be super rich. We don't all have the money to live like this, but with our credit cars we sure do try.
I see money and possessions as a slippery slope once you have some- the urge to get more is immense and this is self perpetuating. I don't know if song lyrics really perpetuate this problem though. I mean if we were to all go out and do all the suggestions we heard from songs- I think we would a pretty messed up nation! Songs have a great beat and words which are great to sing along with- but don't we all agree our morals, logic and human judgment trump some pretty pathetic suggestions made in song lyrics?
What's more ironic: the lyrics to Pink Floyd's "Money" and the fact that "Dark Side of the Moon" is one of the best-selling albums ever or that a British band's 35-year-old satirical song is used to illustrate how "greedy" we are as consumers in America today? Just food for thought. XP
Love the Pink Floyd. Even though it has become a trendy thing to like Jack Johnson (I know), the reason I really got into his music in 2001 was because of his non-consumerism outlook. Ironically, when I went to his concert recently, a large proportion of fans there struck me as prototypical overindulgent Americans. Are we even listening? Or are we just being entertained.
Agreed a hundred fold. I am so sick of the old cliche given from EVERY rap artist out there (please somebody, if I'm wrong tell me) that goes like this: I was raised in the hood, I had nothing, now I'm rich and get drugs and women and cars because of it. Wow. I like bands that satirize money/etc like Floyd, or like this Radiohead gem: Mobiles working
Mobiles chirping
Take the money and run
Take the money and run
Take the money..
It's so sarcastic if you listen to the song. Beautiful.
I know using the Beatles is kind of cliche, but even "Can't Buy Me Love" buys into the notion of money bringing happiness. Although the Beatles are denying it's usefulness to themselves saying, "I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love". They also acknowledge that buying a diamond ring will make "you feel alright". But they go on to say that they hope "you don't need no diamond ring" and that "you want the kind of thing that money just can't buy".
I have had the song "Money (That's What I Want)" stuck in my head ever since I read this blog.
Some of the lyrics are:
The best things in life are free
But you can keep 'em for the birds and bees
Now give me money (that's what I want)
Money don't get everything, it's true
What it don't get, I can't use
Now give me money (that's what I want)
The whole song is about wanting more money to buy more things. Although the consumption in this song is blatent, what I found the most shocking is when this song was originally written.
This song was orignially written in 1959. It has been covered over 25 times by bands such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Hanson, Cheap Trick, and Josie and the Pussycats.
This song has also been used in movies, TV shows, and has been sampled into other songs.
I think the wide use and popularity of this song really says something about America because songs don't become hits unless people can connect or want to connect with them.
So I was looking through my itunes library and found the song Bills, Bills, Bills, by Destiny Child. Pretty much the whole song talks about how Beyonce doesn't want some guy because he doesn't provide any money to pay the bills. Does this not provide an example of what an American relationship needs to have? Money!
This issue goes back to the class discussion that we had. Whether we like it or not, we are defined and judged by society mainly by the possessions that we have (or in this case, don't have).
This again become an issue of status. The mindset is that 'The more pricey, and fancy things that I can obtain, the more respect and attention I will get.'
It is sad to see that today's entertainment industry is promoting this ideal, but it's even more sad to see society taking it all in and living that way.
Here's another Madonna song I found called "American Life" that she raps in the middle of the song:
"I got a lawyer and a manager, an agent and a chef
Three nannies, an assistant and a driver and a jet
A trainer and a butler and a bodyguard or five
A gardener and a stylist, do you think I’m satisfied"
I think many of us are caught up in this "celebrity" lifestyle that we want to be like them. We want to drive what celebrities drive, have our hair like them, have what they have. We are always comparing our lives to others, instead of being content with what we do have.
Along the line with Maria and her example of The Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love", another song came to my mind: "The way I are" of Timbaland.
"I ain't got no money
I ain't got no car to take you on a date
I can't even buy you flowers
But together we'll be the perfect soulmates
Talk to me girl"
"I ain't got no Visa
I ain't got no Red American Express
We can't go nowhere exotic
It don't matter 'cause I'm the one that love you best
Talk to me girl"
"Baby girl, I don't got a huge ol' house I rent a room in a house
Listen baby girl, I ain't got a motorboat but I can float ya boat"
No matter what meaning this song is trying to promote, if these so-called materialistic values didn't matter to them, then why did the artists even bother to pull them out in their song trying to prove what they called "love"?
We definitely like to be entertained and we'll spend the money to do it. I don't know what to do when I have spare time (which isn't often) and I go crazy trying to figure out how I'll be entertained. And then I'll go spend money to make sure that it happens.
Why Dont You Get a Job, Offspring
“I guess all his money, well it isn’t enough
To keep her bill collectors at bay
I guess all his money, well it isn’t enough
Cause that girl’s got expensive taste”
We take and take and take because that’s all we’ve ever known to do. People get satisfied by the things they buy, and now we only go out and make money so we can turn around and spend it. Pussy Cat Dolls have come out with a new song called “When I Grow Up” that is classic to wanting it all and living this American Ideal dream: They want to be famous, drive nice cars, see the world, and have groupies… In the words of 50 Cent “Get rich or die trying.”
Along with consumption, I also feel lifestyle...I think that Weezer's little parody in "Beverly Hills" is a great poke at the fact that majority of our society feels a need to live to a certain monetary and lifestyle standard.
The media controls our lives, whether we would like to admit it or not. I know all of the songs listed on this post, as I am sure all of you do. These are songs we know and love. Money makes life a lot easier! This is not a new concept or life changing phenomenon that we desire to be the elect rich and famous. We want to be just like these artists who actually have all the things they sing about. Living in this society, we are constantly bombarded with the mindset that we do not have enough. I remember loving the song "diamonds are a girls best friend" as a child! This song teaches girls that we need material things in order to make us happy. In some ways it does, but all of these things will never bring us lasting happiness.
We all want to emulate the rich and famous people that we see. Their lives seem so glamorous and it seems like they have it so easy. I think it would be amazing to be able to walk into any store point at anything and have enough money to afford it, but this is not the reality of life, and true happiness cannot be gained through material objects. While having money is nice, and lack of money is often stressful, it is ridiculous to be defined by our own personal wealth.
It has been interesting to go through some of my music and listen closer to the lyrics. I wasn't shocked when I found that many of the male hip hop artists "spit rhythms" about "buying a woman." An example is T.I.'s latest, "Whatever You Like"- he can get a chick (I mean, her body) because he's rich enough to buy her whatever she wants.
"Five, six rides with rims and a bodykit
You ain't gotta downgrade, you can get what I get
My chick can have what she want
Can go to any store, buy any bag she want
I know girl, you ain't never had a man like that
To buy you anything ya heart desired like that, yeah
I want yo' body [body], need yo' body [body]
Long as you got me, you won't need nobody
You want it, I got it, go get it, I buy it
Tell them other broke (boys) be quiet"
Sadly, I have this song, and it's in my most recent "on-the-go playlist".
Sadly I'm not the only one who buys into this crap, it's number 3 on itunes top downloads.
ABC - How to be a Millionaire (yea, an 80's band)
I’ve seen the future, I can’t afford it
Tell me the truth sir, someone just bought it
Say mr. whispers! here come the click of dice
Roulette and blackjacks - gonna build us a paradise
Larger than life and twice as ugly
If we have to live there, you’ll have to drug me
I searched for songs about greed, and found a very interesting one by a group called Liberty X. The song is actually called "Greed." Here are some interesting lyrics...
"How much is it gonna take?
Will you see it through or will you break?
Cuz' in the end what will you have to show?
Life can be lonely,
When all you have are your possessions.
Greed becomes your main obsession.
Just take it slowly,
If what you want ain't what you need,
You've become a victim of your greed."
I think this song is interesting, because unlike many of the other songs that encourage greediness and consumerism, this one talks about its negative facts. I love how it says, "if what you want ain't what you need, you've become a victim of your greed." I think this line illustrates so much of what is going on in the world today. I know that I am not perfect either, but maybe we should all take a step back and re-analyze if we really need all the things that we buy.
Some good points have been made on here. A lot of the good songs I was going to use have been selected. It's funny how songs about material goods and money are often popular. Young teenagers with limited economic means connect with the rap music for its rags to riches type story. The producers of entertainment create the image that money buys happiness - from MTV's "Cribs" to "Pimp My Ride" and even "The Bachelor," they all show that the ultimate dream is meeting a nice, rich guy (or girl) and having a big house and making your car flashy. Magazines and other shows further create the hollow myth that money buys happiness. In my own personal experience, whenever I felt kind of down that I wasn't rich or didn't have the fancy stuff, I was always surprised how empty I felt when I splurged on something. I've felt the desire to get something expensive consume me until I had to get it - that's what this consumer nation is confronting. Even my 60 year old father had to sell his iPod Touch only days after the second generation models were announced. From children to grandparents, consumerism has become the norm. Look at one of the most popular movies of the summer (and long-time favorite musical of the stage) Mamma Mia. A key plot is the mother lamenting her lack of fortune and wanting money to fix it all. From the song "Money, money, money."
In my dreams I have a plan
If I got me a wealthy man
I wouldn't have to work at all
I'd fool around and have a ball
Money, money, money
Must be funny
In a rich man's world
Money, money, money
Always sunny
In a rich man's world
All the things I could do
If I had a little money
It's a rich man's world
It's a rich man's world
So I must leave, I'll have to go
To Las Vegas or Monaco
And win a fortune in a game
My life would never be the same
Isn't it interesting that almost every song used to be about love and relationships and now it is more common to rap about money than girls? And they love to drop the names of brands as well, like Kanye, when he says: "and if they hate, then let em hate. and watch the money pile up, its the good life." TV reality shows are also equating the good life to people with huge amounts of money. The entertainment world is making everyone believe that the key to happiness is in consumption.
Kristin... this is the best blog post assignment ever... so you win the "Jon Maruji's best blogger of the week award!" I'm sure that it will be coveted in a few weeks. so just remember to put that on your resume! Good work!
But wow... I haven't heard 'ride wit me' since high school... but consumer lines o'fury!
You should feel the impact, shop on plastic
when the sky's the limit and them haters can't get past that
Watch me as I gas that, 4.6 Range
Watch the candy paint change, everytime I switch lanes
It feel strange now
Makin a livin off my brain, instead of 'caine now
Runnin credit checks with no shame now.
And I'm not going to lie... i love Madonna's Material Girl... quite possibly one of my favorite 80's songs...
Some boys romance, some boys slow dance
Thats all right with me
If they cant raise my interest then i
Have to let them be
Some boys try and some boys lie but
I dont let them play
Only boys who save their pennies
Make my rainy day, cause they are
Living in a material world
And lastly, i love "If i had a million dollars." infact, my first cd i ever purchased was a barenaked ladies cd.
Simply put...
If I had a million dollars... I'd be rich!
I just love music... but really when i sing these songs... do i really think about the lyrics and the message they send out about me...? The answer... hardly ever. But something that I might want to consider!
The perfect example of this would be in the show "Sex and the City". These New York women make it seem like your life is simply passing you by if you do not own a pair of Manolo/Jimmy Choo heels. Do yo know how much these cost? I was thinking about Timaland's song "The Way I Are". Why does he have to keep on mentioning the material things he does not have? In turn, why does she have to re-assure him that she loves him just the way he is? She doesn't need any of those material things.
well said. musicians are walking advertisements of the next cars that will be out, and clothing designers upcoming catalog. i've never been able to understand why rappers and such ONLY rap about their money, is it because they're bragging, probably. or is it that they have nothing else happening in their life besides selling records. the more modern the rap, the less "thug" lifestyle coincides with one's life, making for a life of just money and girls.
Americans these days, particularly teenagers, live in a dream world. They feel as if they are entitled to more than they deserve. They watch reality shows were normal people become famous and rich over night. They don’t understand that wealth almost always comes from hard work and a good education. Every song on the radio is about being rich and dirty. The world is on a downward spiral.
The song that popped into my head when I read your post was "For the Love of Money" by the O'Jays. This is...or at least was...the theme song for The Apprentice. The lyrics talk about how people have to have money and the lengths many people will go to get it. I think if we look around our society we will see that many people do in fact go to unreasonable lengths to have lots of money. Here are some of the lyrics:
For the love of money
People will lie, rob, they will cheat
For the love of money
People don't care who they hurt or beat
For the love of money
A woman will sell her precious body
For a small piece of paper it carries a lot of weight
Oh, that mean, mean, mean, mean, mean green
Almighty Dollar!
Talkin' bout, talkin' bout - cash
I know that money is the root of all evil
Do funny things to some people.
really great post. but i wonder if the consumer culture came first or did their music create it. I've always sided with the notion that we create the culture and the media amplifies it until those who weren't apart of it become assimilated.
also, why does gwen stefani wish she was a rich girl when she already lives a platinum blonde life?
I don't think that this is new news that the media owns us, and I don't think that it is bad for someone to become successful and rich. But when money is all one thinks about, and will do anything for, then it's a problem. I think about 50's song "I Get Money" and how he runs New York.
Fly Society the group featuring Terry Kennedy himself. "Big money, big cars, who the .. do you think we are, take a look at my chains, take a look at my car, we be flaunting like superstars." Money and Sex sells. It just does
I agree that the world which we live in is never satisfied and has drastically changed from a society which used to entertain itself to a society which seeks to be entertained. It is even in most of the lyrics of the songs which we listen to which you pointed out well here. It's always amazing to realize the lyrics to the songs we all sing and see the true meaning behing them: GREED!
"He lives in a house, a very big house in the country" - Country House by Blur.
"There's something wrong with mass-consumption, why do we want what we don't need? Alcohol, burn it clean asphalt Methamphetamine will make it seem alright" Philthy Phil Philanthropist by NOFX
Our society is based on consumerism. Our entertainment even mirrors it! We are judged by our possessions, which in turn, makes us feel that we always need to have more.
"Got to find the reason
Reason things went wrong
Got to find the reason why my money's all gone...
Lovin', it's what I got"
Do we really think "Oh, that musician is a greedy %$*#, and that's why I can really connect to his music. Though we might think, "Hey, he doesn't have much cash, like me," or "his outlook on life is a lot like mine."
I believe that a large number of these "Overtly consumerist" pieces are actually quite satirical. Money most obviously, but the Beatles' Money is a good example too.
Shania Twain even has one.
How about "money for nothing" by dire straits? Long live the 80s! the quintessential consumer decade. "I want my MTV..."
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