English Letters Department Letters and Humanities
IRONY ANALYSIS ON THE THREE LYRICS IN A PUNK ROCK MUSIC ALBUM COMPILATION-
“ROCK AGAINST BUSH”
INDAH PRATIWI
NO. 103026027656
ENGLISH LETTERS DEPARTMENT
LETTERS AND HUMANITIES FACULTY
STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY
SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH
JAKARTA
2008
1 2
IRONY ANALYSIS ON THE THREE LYRICS IN A PUNK ROCK MUSIC ALBUM COMPILATION- “ROCK AGAINST BUSH” A Thesis
Submitted to Letters and Humanities Faculty
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for Sarjana Degree of English Letters Department
INDAH PRATIWI
NO. 103026027656
ENGLISH LETTERS DEPARTMENT
LETTERS AND HUMANITIES FACULTY
STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY
SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH
JAKARTA
2008 3
ABSTRACT
Indah Pratiwi. Irony Analysis on Three Lyrics in A Punk Rock Music Album Compilation “Rock Against Bush”. A Thesis. English Letters Department. Adab and Humanity Faculty. State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, 2007.
In this research, the writer analyzes kinds of irony and its meaning in three lyrics included in a punk rock music compilation album titled Rock Against Bush which comprises twenty lyrics with Fat Mike as the producer. The writer uses qualitative and analytic descriptive method. The three lyrics most contained several kinds of irony as the tools to express feelings, thought, and perspective against President Bush’s polices in order to pursue the listeners to vote against Bush in 2004 election. The three lyrics are Heaven is Falling, God Save the USA, and Sad State of Affairs. Heaven is Falling contains satire, exaggeration, irony of situation, and irony of fate or cosmic irony. Whereas, God Save the USA, there are irony of situation, satires, sarcasm, and verbal irony. While, in Sad State of Affairs by Descendent, dramatic irony constitutes the only irony found. Kinds of irony contain in Heaven is Falling convey critics to President Bush in the issue of the impact of Iraq war. Madness and disappointments of an American citizen related with the impact of government’s policies are exposed applying several kinds of irony in God Save the USA. Meanwhile, one kind of irony can convey the message to vote as a crucial step toward a change in Sad State of Affairs. It can be concluded that conformity between the aim of irony and punk rock attitude has found. Irony is chiefly to criticize a person, a community or an organization or even a figure of authority. And punk rock music with its extreme style expresses its perspective to the government with applying irony in their lyrics in order to criticize government’s policies. 4
APPROVEMENT
IRONY ANALYSIS ON THE THREE LYRICS IN A PUNK ROCK MUSIC ALBUM COMPILATION- “ROCK AGAINST BUSH”
A Thesis
Submitted to Letters and Humanities Faculty
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for
Sarjana Degree of English Letters Department
INDAH PRATIWI
NO. 103026027656
Approved by :
Danti Pudjiati S. Pd., M.M., M.Si.
NIP. 13233516
ENGLISH LETTER DEPARTMENT
LETTERS AND HUMANITIES FACULTY
STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY
SYARIF HIDAYATULLAH
JAKARTA
2008 5
LEGALIZATION
A thesis entitled “IRONY ANALYSIS ON THE THREE LYRICS IN A
PUNK ROCK MUSIC ALBUM COMPILATION – “ROCK AGAINST BUSH”.
has been defended before the Letters and Humanities Faculty’s Examination
Committee on January 2008. The thesis has been accepted as a partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Sarjana degree in English Letters Department.
The Board of Examiners
Chair Person, Secretary,
Dr. H. M. Farkhan, M. Pd. Drs. A. Saefudin M. Pd NIP. 150 299 480 NIP. 150 261 902
Members
Examiner I Examiner II
Dini Masitah, SS., M. Hum. Supardi, SS. NIP. NIP. 6
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another person nor material which to a substantial extent has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma of the university or other institute of higher learning, except where due acknowledgment has been made in the text.
Jakarta, Januari, 2008
Indah Pratiwi 7
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All praises are due to Allah, the Almighty, and the Lord of all that exist. May Allah’s peace and blessing be upon
His final Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad, his family and his companions.
This skripsi is presented to the English Letters Department of the Faculty of
Letters and Humanities UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for sarjana degree (S1).
It is a great honor for the writer to make acknowledgment of indebtedness to convey her sincere gratitude to Danti Pudjiati who patiently has given valuable advice and guidance to accomplish this skripsi.
The writer also would like to convey her sincere gratitude particularly to:
1. Dr. H. Abd. Chair, MA, as The Dean of Adab and Humanities Faculty.
2. Dr. H. M. Farkhan, M. Pd., as The Head of English Letter Department.
3. Drs. A. Saefudin, M. Pd., as The Secretary of English Letter Department.
4. All the lectures of English Letters Department for their encouragement to the
writer.
5. The writer’s beloved parents, H. Ahmad Emen (memories with him are
immortal in her heart) and Hj. Robiah, whose patients and spirits inspired the
writer in her every anxious.
6. Her beloved brothers and sisters, Ir. Junaidi M.Si. for his eager to give the
favour; Syaiful Fahmi, SE.; Wiwin wiwitri, S.Pd. for giving her passion and 8
patient; Eliya and Yudithia Ahmad for lending our lovely room at whole; who
have supported the writer in accomplishing her skripsi.
7. Her beloved friends, Ciko Permana Shidiq for the idyllic place; Amel, Bharier,
and Kiki for the moment of hugs, tears, inspirations, and laughs; Zahro,
Farah, Fitri, Ko2m, and Inung for the valuable references; ka Imma, ka
Harris, ka Ade, Fariq and other friends in Kafe Bahasa for the sincere
brotherhood; Erun for every precious words; Teh wulan, Nyda, Eulis, Zamra,
Fenti, Diah, Andi, Firman, Davy for the comprehension of punk rock, Edo,
Yudi, Vay, and Eko for his uncountable kindness.
8. All Librarians of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Library, Catholic University of
Atmajaya’s Library, University Indonesia’s library, and Library of UNJ., who
have helped her to obtain some useful books in relation to the topic of her
skripsi.
Finally, she realizes that this skripsi is far from being perfect. It is a pleasure for her to receive constructive critics to her e-mail, [email protected] for improving this skripsi.
Jakarta, Januari
2008
The Writer 9
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ...... i APPROVEMENT ...... ii LEGALIZATION ...... iii DECLARATION ...... iv ACKNOWLEDGMENT ...... v TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... vii
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ...... 1 A. The Background of Study ...... 1 B. The focus of Study ...... 6 C. Research Question ...... 6 D. The Significance of Study ...... 6 E. The Methodology of The Research ...... 7
CHAPTER II THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ...... 9 A. Definition of Lyric ...... 9 B. Understanding of Punk Rock Music ...... 10 C. Figure of Speech ...... 13 D. Irony ...... 14 1. Verbal Irony...... 18 2. Dramatic Irony...... 22 3. Irony of Situation ...... 24 4. Cosmic Irony ...... 26 5. Understatement...... 28 6. Exaggeration...... 29
CHAPTER III: IRONY ANALYSIS ON THREE LYRICS IN ROCK AGAINST BUSH- A PUNK-ROCK MUSIC ALBUM COMPILATION ...... 31 A. Kinds of Irony in Three Analyzed Lyrics ...... 31 10
1. Heaven is Falling by the Ataris...... 33 2. God Save USA by Pennywise...... 37 3. Sad State of Affairs by Descendent...... 40 B. The Way Irony Found in The Three Analyzed Lyric Provoke the Listeners not to elect Bush in 2004 presidential election ...... 43 1. Heaven is Falling by the Ataris...... 43 2. God Save USA by Pennywise...... 50 3. Sad State of Affairs by Descendent...... 55
CHAPTER IV A. CONCLUSION...... 59
BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 61
APPENDIX 1. Rock Against Bush 2. Other Lyrics Included in Rock Against Bush 11
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. The Background of The Study
Music is the peculiar art in society. It has always been ahead of societal change and a major influence on both the culture and the politics of the day. It is believed so, since a song, a combining of lyrics and harmony may evoke certain feeling of the listeners. As Geoffrey Madell explained “it is the peculiar genius of music to capture and evoke patterns of intentional feeling such as expectations, desires, joyful, sadness even madness1”.
Lyric is one of parts of music. For the last two centuries, the lyric, which includes the songs, has been the predominant type of poetry2. Lyrics tinged with violent close with punk rock as it is stated that “Loud, hard beat, insistent music and aggressive, often abusive or violent lyrics is called punk rock3”.
The lyric of punk rock often contained perspectives of disagreement of the attitude of the authority4. The disagreements may occur if the real and the ideal are out of balance. It is when expectation crushes with the reality.
In an age, when the real and the ideal are out of balance, O’ Connor said, irony5 is one of chief instruments of critical intelligence. It plays a central role when
1 Geoffrey Madell, Philosophy, Music and Emotion (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2002), p. 126.
2 Ibid.
3 http://www.exampleessays.com/viewpaper/93966.html. June,07,2007.
4 Ibid. 12
the society is struggling to conceive its basic premises6. It is a general way of thinking that recognizes contradiction and disparities, which express an intellectual expression of freedom.
According to John Seery, irony has been applied, not merely to several authors and their different voices, but also in the entire fields of endeavour such as visual art, poetry, novels, music, prayer, and confession7. Those endeavours that contained irony help society to express their idea of the out of balance above happened.
As one of those endeavors, poetry is defined as a kind of language that says more and says it more intensively than does ordinary language8. It is a way for poet to express their inner emotion impliedly. The language of poetry is compact with idea, thoughts and experience either it is a pleasure experience or a mean expression.
It can be considered lyric as poetry. As it has been known that lyric is a kind of poetry, generally short, often involves the expression of intense personal
5Irony is an indirect presentation of a contradiction between an action or expression and the context in which it occurs. The Random House (© Random House, Inc., 2006), March 2007, Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1), p. 1.
6 WM. Van O’ Connor, Sense and Sensibility in Modern Poetry (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1948), p. 123.
7 John Evan Seery, Political Returns: Irony in Politics and Theory from Plato to the Antinuclear Movement (Boulder: Westview Press, 1990), p. 183.
8 Laurence Perrine, Sound and Sense An introduction to Poetry, Eight Edition, (Fort Worth: Harcourt, Brace and world, Inc., 1969), p. 3. 13
emotion9. Therefore, lyric is a kind of modern poetry harmonized with music. When music is combined with poetry the result can be more memorable10.
In punk rock lyrics, punk rock musicians express their thoughts in viewing their social and politics circumstances which rather allude certain side. Punk rock is about taking an attitude in order to rebel against the problems of our society11.
In the year 2004, there were number of movements dislike US President
George Walker Bush like Women Against Bush, Bike Against Bush, and Bluetooth
Users Against Bush many others. They have even sites to share their perceptions related reasons they dislike their own president and activities they held in expressing their dislike. It was caused by number of Bush administration’s policies and attitudes that led to controversy. One of them is the policy of Bush administration in starting war in Iraq in 2003. The mission based on US suspection to Iraq for having threadful biological weapon which is later unproven. The fact led controvercy in the worldwide.
It was recorded that thousand of anti-war protesters have marched up Sixth Avenue in New York, March 20, 2004. Anti-war protests are taking place in many cities around the world on the anniversary of U.S.-led war in Iraq12. The disagreement of anti-war was not only expressed by US citizen who are anti-war in Main Streets, but
9 http://www.answers.com/topic/lyrics. April,15 2007.
10 X.J. Kennedy, Literature: An Introduction To Fiction, Poetry And Drama, Second Edition (Boston: Little, Brown & Company, 1979), p. 509.
11 http://punkvoter.com/about/about_obj.php. March,05,2007.
12 http://www.ccmep.org/2002_articles/Iraq/102702_pictures_of_anti.htm 14
also in a lyric tinge with critics as it can be found in lyrics included in Punk Rock
Music Album Compilation titled “Rock Against Bush”.
The compilation associated with a punk community site namely www.punkvoter.com, which aimed to harness the youth vote to not elect bush in
2004 presidential election. “They unite to raise political awareness and encourage pop-punk fans to vote in the next presidential election — against George Bush”13.
Their idea can be seen in a compilation punk rock music album titled Rock
Against Bush. The effort was initiated by Fat Mike (Michael Burkett) of the band
NOFX. As the producer of the compilation album, he has spirit of change for the nation. His sense of disappointment toward the president’s policies concerning some cases presents in every song in this album as he said in an interview:
"About a year ago I decided to use my influence to get bands together to speak out about the president," Fat Mike said. "I think it's our responsibility as citizens and musicians to do so. He's wrecking the country and the world. He's starting wars for no reason, our economy is in the toilet, he's ruining the environment, and he does things like cut taxes when we need money."14
Punk bands include in this compilation album are Descendents, Flogging
Molly, The Offspring, Rise Against, the Ataris, Pennywise, Anti-Flag, Against Me!,
Green Day, Sum 41, The World/Inferno Friendship Society, The Epoxies, Autopilot
Off and many others. They contribute their rebel song lyrics to the compilation Rock
Against Bush harmonized with rock music in order to approach the listeners,
13 Jon Wiederhorn, Good Charlotte, Green Day, NOFX to Rock Against President Bush: Anti-Bush compilation album due next spring, along with tour, Rock Against Bush. Accessed on April, 2007. http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1479176/20030919/index.jhtml?headlines=true
14 Ibid. 15
particularly punk fans that most are youths to achieve the goal of the album to vote and to opposed Bush in general election.
The compilation punk rock music album Rock Against Bush consist of twenty six lyrics15. Punk musicians involved the album; engage the punk rock spirit into political battles against the President Bush. They have seen that the reality is out of balance with what they expect as a citizen. Therefore, they criticize, allude, and even mock the government through lyrics that are full of disappointments. They apply irony in expressing their thoughts, point of views, the spirit of punk rock, and their disappointments in the circumstances of political battle.
In this research, the writer would like to analyze irony contained in three song lyrics from this compilation album and elaborate each meaning. The writer would like to know further the irony applied in those three song lyrics as a critical intelligence to the government’s policy.
The song lyrics do not only state the feeling and inner emotion of the lyric writer but also provoke the listener particularly youth in that country to use their right to vote and not to vote George Walker Bush as a president in the next general election. It is rarely for the musicians beware of the politics. However, punk rock musicians such us Fat mike, Pennywise, Descendent, the Ataris and other punk musicians include in this compilation album in using their influence urge youth to vote makes them involved in politics. The writer sees that it is an interesting to be analyzed.
15 Emily Beaulac, Rock Against Bush Knocks off Socks, Rock Against Bush. November,19,2007. http://media.www.thetriangle.org/media/storage/paper689/news/2004/10/29/Entertainment/R ock-Against.Bush.Knocks.Off.Socks-786205.shtml 16
Three out of twenty six song lyrics included in this album, the writer would like to analyze are Heaven is Falling by the Ataris, God Save USA by Pennywise, and
Sad State of affairs by Descendent.
The lyric of Heaven is Falling by the Ataris is an anti-war protest track from
Rock Against Bush: Vol 116. This lyric tells a story of a soldier who speaks to God of his fate of the unexpected situation that happened to him. He is having a dilemma in a complicated situation. The Ataris express his protest to war by giving a horrible experience of a soldier in the middle of the war.
God Save USA is a titled contributed by Pennywise tells an inner emotion of the speaker. He thinks that his country has no more freedom-a precious thing that so far has been a proud of this country. The government organization like CIA or NRA has no longer use to replace the wrong condition to be better. And it caused by the president. Even, the people of the country are careless and apathy. Those make the speaker angry and desperate with Bush as the president. The speaker also states that Bush as a president of United States has already failed in leading the country.
The speaker wants a change and asks God to save the country from all the unexpected situation happened in his country.
A disappointment to the apathy of the society in relation with the impact of government’s policy can be seen in Sad State of Affairs by Descendent. In these lyrics, the lyric writer has repeated the word I don't care for many times. It emphasized impliedly that actually the lyric writer has an opponent idea with what the speaker says in that lyric- that the lyric writer cares much about the case and get
16 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ataris September,13, 2007. 17
mad why every body being so careless. In fact, it is not actually a little case but a big deal for the nation that needs a change.
B. The Focus of the Study
The research is focused on the irony contained in the three lyrics in Rock
Against Bush-a compilation punk-rock music album. They are Heaven is Falling by the Ataris, God Save USA by Pennywise, and Sad State of affairs by Descendent.
Those lyrics will be analyzed on the variation of irony contained in the three lyrics and the writer also deliberates each meaning.
C. The Research Questions
Based on the background of the research and the focus of the study above, the problem will be discussed are:
1. What kinds of irony found in Heaven is Falling by the Ataris, God Save USA
by Pennywise, and Sad State of affairs by Descendent?
2. How does irony found in the three analyzed lyrics provoke youths to not re-
elect Bush in 2004 presidential election?
D. The Significance of the Research
The significance of the study is to give the advantage through the result of the analysis for readers and writer herself, to know deeper about kinds of irony, and how to understand irony by classifying it based on its variation. 18
E. The Methodology of the Research
1. The Objective of the Research
Based on the research question, the research has some objectives.
They are:
a. To give knowledge to the readers and the writer herself concerning irony
as a means to express inner emotion for punk rock musician who get their
association in the compilation punk-rock music album, Rock Against
Bush.
b. To know deeper kinds of irony implied in those three lyrics and to obtain
each the meaning to know further irony works in provoking youths to not
choose Bush in presidential election.
2. The Method of The Research
To answer the question presented in the research question, the writer
uses descriptive analytic method which means elaborate something. The
writer described some facts and also the result of analysis17. The writer reads
the three lyrics, analyzes kinds of irony occurred in them with a table and
deliberate each meaning.
3. The Unit of Analysis
Analysis unit used in this research are three lyrics in Rock against
Bush- a compilation music album that is released in 20 April 2004 in US by
Fat Mike as a producer. The album associates with punkvoter organization
namely www.punkvoter.com to spread the idea that vote is crucial step to a
17 Kutha Ratna, Nyoman, Teori, Metode, dan Teknik Penulisan Sastra. (Jakarta, 2004). p. 53. 19
change and urges the youth to use their vote and vote against Bush. The
album comprises twenty six lyrics. The writer found the lyrics from website
www.lyric.com Copyright © TSRocks since it was released in US. The three
lyrics the writer analyzes are Heaven is Falling by the Ataris, God Save USA
by Pennywise, and Sad State of Affairs by Descendent.
4. The Technique of Data Analysis
The collected data will be analyzed through descriptive qualitative
analysis. The writer conducts the research by analyzing what has been
written18. The author expresses his inner emotion totally in his work. Irony is
one way the author express his pattern of feeling. In this research, the writer
analyzes kinds of irony the punk musicians applied in their lyrics and
deliberate each meaning.
5. The Place and Time of The Research
The research is accomplished in the ninth semester 2007/2008 in
English Letters Department, Adab and Humanities Faculty. This research is
conducted at Islamic State University Jakarta Library and other university‘s
library in Jakarta, which provide the information and references about the
material that the writer needs, such as Catholic University of Atmajaya’s
Library, University Indonesia’s Library, and Library of UNJ.
18 Ibid. 20
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL REVIEW
A. Definition of Lyric
Lyric is a kind of poetry, generally short, often involves the expression of intense personal emotion19. The lyric is the commonest, and yet, in its perfection, the most modern; the simplest, and yet in its laws of emotional association; and it all these because it express, more intimately than other types of verse, the personality of the poet20.
For the last two centuries the lyric, which includes the songs, has been the predominant type of poetry21. Most poems are more memorable than most ordinary speech, and when music is combined with poetry the result can be more memorable still22.
A person who writes lyrics is called a lyricist. In his lyric, lyricist expresses a subjective, personal point of view23. He also expresses the thoughts and feelings in the lyrics he writes24.
19 http://www.answers.com/topic/lyrics April,12,2007.
20 Jay B. Hubbell and John O. Beaty, An Introduction to Poetry (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1949), p. 57.
21 Ibid.
22 X.J. Kennedy (1975), op.cit. p. 509.
23 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyrics April,17,2007.
24 http://www.answers.com/topic/lyrics April,2,2007. 21
The lyric, then, gives us idea or theme and calls up appropriate pictures in language, which is rich in suggestion, pictorial power, and sensuous beauty25. The meaning conveyed in lyrical verses can be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are so abstract as to be completely unintelligible. In such cases, there is a tendency to emphasize the form, articulation, meter, and symmetries of the expressions26.
Thus, lyric is the most modern and simplest way gives the idea of theme in expressing personal emotion and point of view. The sensous beauty reveal in lyric by emphasizing the form and the ornament of language used in lyric.
B. Understanding Punk Rock Music
Punk rock music constitutes a type of anarchistic rock music, originating in the late 1970s with such UK groups as Generation X, The Buzzcocks, and The Sex
Pistols27. Punk rock is an anti-establishment rock music movement came from
United States, Australia and United Kingdom in 1974-1975, preceded by groups like
Ramones, Sex Pistols, The Damned, and The Clash28.
Punk itself is sub-culture born in London, UK, which is an ideology of life included social and politics aspect29. Their thought in viewing their social and politics circumstances can be seen in their lyrics, which rather alludes certain side. Their thought is stimulated by the moral decadency of the politician. Through their lyrics
25 Jay B. Hubbell and John O. Beaty (1949), op.cit. 22.
26 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyrics April, 2007.
27 http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/Cambridge/entries/097/punk-rock.html June, 2007.
28 http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideologi_Punk. June,5,2007.
29 Ibid. 22
which are simple but contained bitter statement and the hard beat of their music, punk bands try to allude the authority even intend to wound their feelings with bitter statement in their lyrics contain their perspective of disagreement of the attitude of the authority30.
Punk music is a form of rebellion, and that it is turned against all other musical forms and influences. Webster’s Universal Dictionary defines a punk as “a style or movement characterized by the adoption of aggressively unconventional and often bizarre or shocking clothing, hairstyles, etc., and the defiance of social norms usually associated with punk rock musicians and fans”. It says that punk rock is rock music marked by loud, insistent music and aggressive, often abusive or violent lyrics31.
Punk is recognized by public with its fashion and their attitude, which tend to a rebellion. Mohawk hairstyle like Indian, boots, chain, leather jacket, disheveled clothes, anarchist-criminal lower level, danger drunker are identified by public as punk32. Actually, the style of their appearance is the reflection of punk who has a rebellion soul, free in expressing their self, even though some people as above think that their style merely ridiculous, still they have a thought mainstream to their fans that they intend to provoke directly. They believe that extreme way of thinking supposed to be expressed by the unique appearance33.
30 Ibid.
31 http://www.exampleessays.com/viewpaper/93966.html June,2007.
32 Ibid.
33 Ibid. 23
Those kinds of public perspective make rocker, punk, skinhead are mocked once as a thread to regular law but on another chance is admitted as clown that isn’t danger at all34. With their unconventional style and thought mainstream in stating something, they make people who accustomed with ordinary system feel annoyed when their thought mainstream begins trying to change the conventional rules. For instance, we can see Superman is Dead, a punk rock band from Indonesia tells that people admit punk rock band no more than tattoo and distortion only35.
According to Dick Hebdige, even though style construction of punk usually break the conventional style such as having forelock, clothes made of leather and other unordinary declined style, still it has certain subversive value inside36.
Furthermore, punk musician doesn’t speak of love much in their music. In their lyrics and their music, punk musician rather like a protest shout of a demonstrator against the cruel of life. The music tells the feelings of frustration, anger, figure of an authority and even their awareness of their circumstances37.
It can be inferred that punk rock is rock music of punk bands, which express certain ideology in social and politics through their lyrics. Their unconventional style in their appearance, their hard music, and their lyrics which is colored by the mockery as a form of allusion to the author of the state or their lyric with rebellion
34 Dick Hebdige, Asal-Usul & Ideology Subkultur Punk. Penerjemah, Ari wijaya (Yogyakarta: Buku Baik, 1999), p. 13.
35 http://www.sinarharapan.co.id/berita/0503/10/hib01.html August,2007.
36 Dick Hebdige (1999), op.cit. 14-15.
37 http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideologi_Punk June,2007. 24
words is one way of punk rock bands in expressing the heart of their rebellion as a band with spirit to provoke fans to have the same thoughts.
C. Figure of Speech
Figure of speech constitutes anyway of saying something other than the ordinary way38. It avoids telling something directly in order to emphasize its meaning.
As it is elaborated by Bradford T. Stull in his book The Elements of Figurative
Language that figurative language is the language that avoids speaking directly or plainly about the subject under examination. Figurative language is also the language that either speaks symbolically about the subject or heightens the musicality of the language when speaking about the subject.
Scharbach adds, language is the ‘dress’ of thought, and figures are the
‘ornaments’ of language39. It needs some times ornament in language either good ornaments or even displeasure ornaments in expressing thoughts.
As an ornament of language, figure brings us into an artistic sensation of writing. Figurative language is a term that might throw you for a moment. It suggests more artistic forms of writing and you may have the impression that only artistic writing has it40.
Moreover, Stull explains that the sensations, feelings, desires, thoughts, ruminations, revelations, memories, and the like are condensed and crystallized by
38 Laurence Perrine (1969), op.cit. 65.
39 Alexander Scharbach, Critical Reading and Writing (New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1965), p. 229.
40 Daniel Brown, Connections A Rhetoric/ Short Prose Reader (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company), p. 153. 25
language figured in order to elucidate, illuminate, hint, provoke, and prod, but not to speak plainly41.
Thus, it can be inferred that figure of speech is the ornament of language with a certain aim the author intends that brings the reader into certain impression.
D. Irony
Irony is a kind of figure of speech that it is included like allegory, metaphor and symbol as a species design characterized by doubleness- when a writer can have two things going on simultaneously since all the common and familiar literary techniques, and all ways of complicating structure42.
It is different with allegory, metaphor and symbol, and other double design, the two things going on at the same time the writer can have in irony particularly is the reality and the ideal, between a human concept of an ideal and what actually comes as a reality43.
As it has been explained irony is a manner of speaking that implies a discrepancy44. It is a way in telling something indirectly- a way that is implied incongruity so that it needs more attention for the readers to comprehend the meaning since it contains special purpose.
41 Bradford T. Stull, The Elements of Figurative Language (New York: Pearson Education Inc., 2002), p. 4.
42 Charles B. Wheeler (1966), op.cit. p. 92.
43 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irony March,2007.
44 X.J. Kennedy (1979), op.cit. p. 429. 26
Moreover, O’ Connor adds irony as a way of seeing around and behind opposed attitudes45. Now it can be said, something opposite is the essential part of irony. Based on Random House Dictionary, the essential feature of irony is the indirect presentation of a contradiction between an action or expression and the context in which it occurs46.
Hence, with the indirect presentation of a contradiction, irony can be a chief instrument and has a central role for the society in criticizing the reality that has discordance with the ideal one. As O’ Connor has stated that “In an age, like our own, when the real and the ideal are out of balance…the critical intelligence plays a central role. And irony is one of its chief instruments47”.
It is also known that Irony which relies on a sharp discordance between the real and the ideal is very often occurred in our lives. It is appeared in various ways like text, speech, events, music and others48.
From those various ways like music, text and acts that irony can be appeared, it often establishes point of view of the author or even the musician. Often creating a marked emotional response in the reader or listener, an ironic treatment of a subject is usually effective in giving great emphasis to a point of view49.
45 WM. Van O’ Connor (1948), op.cit. p. 134.
46 Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006
47 WM. Van O’ Connor (1948), op.cit. p. 123.
48 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irony March,2007.
49 Clarence E. Schneider, Syntax & Style (Chandler & Sharp Publishers, Inc., 1974), p. 204. 27
It needs a great consideration in recognizing point of view contained in irony.
O’Connor explained few characteristics that may help the reader in approaching irony. Listing its characteristic is one of ways in approaching irony. They are:
1. An essential characteristic of irony is that it has to do with point of view or
attitude: the way one looks at something.
2. The whole point of having two elements in irony is that they set each other off, or
react against each other.
3. There is no grammar of irony, no system overt signs by which its presence is
made known.
4. As a result, irony can always be misunderstood, or ‘taken seriously’, as the
phrase goes. The most effective irony tends to be that in which the separation of
the two contrasting elements is actually very wide but appears to be very small or
even non-existent.
5. The manifestation and uses generally speaking its purpose is always critical. To
be critical is not necessarily to be hostile; sometimes irony is sympathetic,
benignant, approving. It must, however, pursue what it takes to be the truth.
6. The surface temperature of irony is cool. It can convey strong emotions. Irony
involves a certain emotional distancing, in part because its structure forbids
direct expression, whether of feelings or anything else, and in part because its
critical purpose, makes it primarily an instrument of reason.
7. More than any other design, irony suffers by being explained.50
50 Charles B. Wheeler (1966), op.cit. p. 94. 28
Those characterizations help to identify the irony and its form. It has been widely comprised differently in several references. It comprises three until eight forms of it.
According to Laurence Perrine, irony is divided into three forms. They are verbal irony included sarcasm and satire, dramatic irony, and irony of situation51.
X.J. Kennedy classified irony into four kinds of it. They are Ironic point of view, verbal irony with sarcasm included, dramatic irony or tragic irony, and cosmic irony or irony of fate52.
Charles B. Wheeler delineated irony into five sub-species. They are
“(1) irony of fate (reversals of expectation); (2) cosmic irony (the God- like point of view); (3) dramatic irony (characters acting in ignorance of something that the audience knows); (4) socratic irony (self- deprecation and exaggerated deference used as a weapon in argument); and (5) verbal irony (the irony of language itself, where words mean the opposite of what they seem to mean-which is much like socratic irony, except that the personal element is missing)”53.
Meanwhile, exaggeration and understatement are included in irony by
Clarence E. Schneider and Sylvan Barnet. Clarence E. Schneider stated three forms of irony, such as exaggeration, understatement, and satire54. As Sylvan Barnet stated verbal irony, understatement, and overstatement (hyperbole) are also included into three forms of irony55.
51 Laurence Perrine (1969), op.cit. p. 113.
52 X.J. Kennedy (1979), op.cit. p. 429.
53 Charles B. Wheeler (1966), op.cit. p. 93.
54 Clarence E. Schneider (1974), op.cit. p. 204.
55 Sylvan Barnet, An Introduction to Literature Fiction/Poetry/Drama, tenth edition, (Harper Collins College Publishers, 1993), p. 484. 29
From five different sources, the writer herself will divide irony into six forms of it to be discussed in this research. It is done to lessen the confusion to identify its forms conveyed on the object of the research; and the comprising is based on the need of this research. They are verbal irony, dramatic irony, irony of situation, Irony of fate (reversals of expectation, downfalls) or cosmic irony, exaggeration, and understatement.
1. Verbal Irony
The first form of irony the writer would like to delineate is verbal irony. Verbal irony is the irony of language itself, where words mean the opposite of what they seem to mean56. Verbal irony occurs whenever words say one thing but mean something else, usually the opposite57. For instance, "A fine thing indeed!" he muttered to himself58. This sentence describes someone who muttered himself because having something unpleasant but saying with the opposite, fine thing.
Verbal irony is supported by the intonation of the speaker whether they are in the kind or mean.
It is also concerned that verbal irony is the language in which the author’s intent is in contrast to what his words seem to say in surface. For example, when you praise someone sarcastically with the true intent of disparaging him59. “Indeed, you
56 Charles B. Wheeler (1966), op.cit. p. 93.
57 X.J. Kennedy (1979), op.cit. p. 428.
58 http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/lit_terms/irony.html March,2007.
59 Hulon Willis, Structure Style Usage A Guide To Expository Writing, p. 30
are the most beautiful girl in this universe who can simultaneously decimate the whole,” said a person meanly when seeing a girl dressed improperly.
As it is known from above that through verbal irony always implies the opposite of what is said, it has many gradations. And in its simplest form, it does mean only the opposite of what is said. Somehow, in more complex form, it means both what is said and the opposite of what is said, at once, though in different ways and with different degrees of emphasis60. The more complex the author apply verbal irony in his work, the more high the degree of emphasize the author intent to send to readers. In discussing verbal irony, sarcasm and satire are often occurred61.
a. Sarcasm
Sarcasm as a form of irony is widely used in English especially when people
are being humorous. Generally the sarcastic speaker or writer means the exact
opposite of the word they use, often intending to be rude or to laugh at the
person the words are addressed to62.
It is also usually called sarcasm when it is a somewhat sour statement tinged
with mockery63. It can be said that it is a way of technique in communication
where verbal statement is stated cynically, telling something but emphasizing the
other hand.
60 Laurence Perrine (1969), op.cit. p. 113.
61 Ibid.
62 http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/sarcasm.html. August,2007.
63 X.J. Kennedy (1979), op.cit. p. 85. 31
In expressing sarcasm, it is known that for destructive purposes, ridicule or
mockery in sarcasm is used harshly, often crudely and contemptuously. It may
be used in an indirect manner, and have the form of irony, as in “What a fine
musician you turned out to be!” or it may be used in the form of a direct
statement, “You couldn't play one piece correctly if you had two assistants.” The
distinctive quality of sarcasm is present in the spoken word and manifested
chiefly by vocal inflection64.
In addition, according to Perrine, Sarcasm is simply bitter or cutting speech,
intended to wound the feelings (it comes from a Greek word meaning to tear
flesh)65.
Sarcasm is also a particular kind of personal criticism leveled against a
person or group of persons. For example, a person got an ovarian cancer rather
dedided to see a spiritual healer instead of going to a medical doctor. Her friend
response and says sarcastically, "Great idea! I hear they do fine work!". The
response of her friend seem critisize and allude the work of the spiritual healer
and has no trust in him. Fine work he means is the opposite that the spiritual
healer has bad reputation and it is not a legitimate treatment for cancer66.
On this basis, it can be deduced that sarcasm is a verbal statement which is
stated cynically, telling something but emphasizing the other hand. It is also as a
64 Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
65 Laurence Perrine (1969), op.cit. p. 104.
66 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irony March,2007. 32
particular kind of personal criticism leveled against a person or group of persons
that is intended to wound the feelings.
b. Satire
Satire is a form of humour where the writer or speaker tries to make the
reader or listener have a negative opinion about someone, by laughing at them,
making them seem ridiculous or foolish etc. If someone is being satirical, their
aim is not just to amuse, but to affect the person that they dislike; to hurt them,
ruin them, etc67.
In the same way, Perrine stated that satire is both cruel and kind just like
surgeon who is cruel and kind who cut open body to repair to be health.
Similarly, satire applied in a certain text gives hurt in order to make things be
better. Correspondently, Gorys Keraf stated that satire is used to against
something in order to be held a correction ethically and aesthetically68. For
instance, one of the members of your class raises his hand on the discussion of
this point and say, “I don’t understand,” and your instructor replies, with a tone of
heavy disgust in his voice, “Well, I wouldn’t expect you to,” he said satirically. It
gives hurt for the member to have more efforts to understand.
Different from sarcasm which is often used on colloquial level, satire is a
more formal term, usually applied to written literature rather than to speech and
ordinarily implying a higher motive: it is ridicule (either bitter or gentle) of human
folly or vice, with the purpose of bringing about reform or at least of keeping
67 http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/satire.html. August,2007.
68 Gorys Keraf, Diksi dan Gaya Bahasa (Jakarta: PT. Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2005), p. 144. 33
other people from falling into similar folly or vice. As Dean Spears defines “satire
is a piece of writing that seeks to expose folly or wickedness and to hold human
behavior up to ridicule69.
Moreover, satire is implied usually for censorious or critical purposes and is
often directed at public figures or institutions, conventional behaviors, political
situations, etc70.
Thus, it can be inferred that satire is a satirical statement, which its purpose
is to affect the person that they dislike; to hurt them and even to ruin them.
However, satire is bringing about reform concerning certain human folly or at
least is keeping other people from falling into similar folly or vice.
2. Dramatic or Tragic Irony
The further form of irony the writer would like to discuss in this research is dramatic irony. Dramatic irony is a relationship of contrast between a character's limited understandings of his or her situation in some particular moment of the unfolding action and what the audience, at the same instant, understands the character's situation actually to be71. The reader has the pleasure of knowing something that neither of the character does72.
As a result of the limited understanding of the character above, leads a tragedy that could be happened in a literary work. That is why, in this case, some
69 Dean Millan Spears, Developing Critical Reading Skill (USA: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1999), p. 224.
70 http://dictionary.reference.com/cite.html?qh=irony&ia=luna March,2007.
71http://www.k-state.edu/english/baker/english320/cc-dramatic_irony.htm September, 2007. 72 Alexander Scharbach (1965), op.cit. p. 228. 34
critics heel speak of tragic irony instead of dramatic irony73. Tragedy is associated with dramatic Irony so that it can be some of the most famous and powerful uses of dramatic irony, where it serves to emphasize how limited human understanding can be even when it is most plausible, and how painful can be the costs of the misunderstandings, in some sense inevitable, that result74.
We can see a misunderstanding among characters as a result of the limited knowing of the character leads a tragedy in a playwright by Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet in Shakespeare’s play suffered of misunderstanding that leads both into death. It is occurred when Romeo finds Juliet in a drugged death-like sleep; he assumes her to be dead and kills himself. Upon awakening to find her dead lover beside her, Juliet kills herself with a knife.
On the other side, according to Perrine, the discrepancy is not between what the speaker says and what he means but between what the speaker says and what the author means. The speaker’s word may be perfectly straightforward, but the author, by putting those words in a particular speaker’s mouth, may be indicating to the reader ideas or attitude quite opposed to those the speaker is voicing. It is used not only to convey attitudes but also to illuminate character, for the author who uses it that is indirectly commenting not only upon the value of the ideas uttered but also upon the nature of the person who utters them. Such comment may be harsh, gently mocking, or sympathetic75.
73 X.J. Kennedy (1979), op.cit. p. 430.
74http://www.k-state.edu/english/baker/english320/cc-dramatic_irony.htm September,2007.
75 Laurence Perrine (1969), op.cit. p. 115. 35
As it is known that a game of irony, after all, cannot be played straightforwardly; there must always be a contrast between what is and what seems to be. When the author ostensibly speaks in his own person, it can be sure that in some very particular context he is masking himself. For instance, in poetry Unknown
Citizen by W.H. Auden, which represents modern citizen, who, according to the poem, are programmed like machine. Actually, the speaker is masking himself. The speaker tells many frigid actions of the citizen that actually implied an idea of the author that is actually contrast with the actions of the unknown citizen. The contrast makes us see that the author doesn’t agree with the like-machine human life be portrayed in the speaker’s word.
Therefore, it can be concluded that dramatic irony can be a tragic irony where the limited understanding of character in a work leads a tragedy. However, dramatic irony also can be found when an author masking himself to speak the opposite of what he really concerns.
3. Irony of Situation
According to Perrine, irony of situation occurs when there is a discrepancy between the actual circumstances and those that would seem appropriate or between what one anticipates and what actually comes to pass76. It can be said also;
Irony of situation or irony of circumstances is a discrepancy between the expected result and actual results77.
76 Ibid, p.117.
77 (http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/lit_terms/irony.html) September,2007. 36
O’Connor adds, the irony of circumstances, or situation, with its dramatic nature, seems common to all periods. It is a chief feature in drama, but it is found also in ballads, lyrics, and certain forms of narrative poetry78.
When we see that a situation is ironic, it may contain some contrast or incongruity which evoke wryness79. It can be said that situational irony results from recognizing the oddness or unfairness of a given situation. And it could be positive or negative80. Hence, It needs more attention to the ironic twists and a plot of a work.
When authors contradict what we expect, they do so for a reason81. It is a way the poet state his point of view implicitly. Irony itself is rather a way of thinking about texts that produces an oblique form of human interaction82.
It is same with dramatic irony. Irony of situation is also a powerful device for the poet, for like symbol, dramatic irony and irony of situation enable him to suggest meanings without stating them- to communicate a great deal more than he says83.
For instance, the situation enables the poet spoke his implicit point of view which is ironic can be seen in O. Henry's story The Gift of the Magi, in which a young couple is too poor to buy each other Christmas gifts. The man finally pawns his heirloom pocket watch to buy his wife a set of combs for her long, prized, beautiful
78 Van WM O’ Connor (1948), op.cit. p. 130.
79 X.J. Kennedy (1979), op.cit . p.85.
80 http://www.sarcasmsociety.com/irony/situational.php August,2007.
81http://www.waukeganschools.org/WHSCommunications/discuss/msgReader$75 June,2007.
82 John Evan Seery (1990), op.cit. p. 194.
83 Perrine, Laurence (1969), op.cit . p. 117. 37
hair. She, meantime, cuts her hair to sell to a wigmaker for money to buy her husband a watch-chain. The results of the situation here are far different from what was expected. The husband expects that the comb he bought can be used to more beautify his wife’s long hair. While, the beautiful hair of his wife has been sold to buy a chain for his sold watch. It seems very ironic because they cannot even use what they have bought for each. However it leads to a happy ending where the lovers are drown closer together.
Thus, it can be inferred that irony of situation occurred when the situation seems ironic and the results of the situation can be far different from what was expected. The poet often do so for a reason and the reason is to put certain point of view in such situation implicitly.
4. Cosmic Irony (Irony Of Fate)
In cosmic irony, the discrepancy is between a character’s aspiration and the treatment he or she receives at the hands of fate84. It occurs when the ambition or the strong desire of a character is having opponent with the reality of fate he has to receive. The unexpected fate often gives a frustration. Cosmic irony suggests that some malicious fate (or other spirit in the universe) is deliberately frustrating human effort85.
O’Connor adds this kind of irony express a negative impulse and invite ridicule. It spells frustration or megalomania as well as the persistent need for
84 X.J. Kennedy (1979), op.cit . 430.
85 Ibid. p. 86. 38
‘debunking’86. In that frustration some of people then castigated a God who could put men in a certain miserably low status87.
In this life, sharp contrasts between human ideals and reality, or between human intentions and actual results often happened. This fact stimulates the existence of cosmic irony as O’Connor has said cosmic irony could be sustained easily while there was a strong feeling that man had somehow been betrayed or badly treated by God88. It can be said that cosmic irony could express a disappointment of a character in a work to God treatment or someone who betrayed his trust.
It can be seen for instance in the inventing world where the chlorofluorocarbon Freon-12 were invented as safe chemicals by Chemist and mechanical engineer Thomas Midgley and intended for wide environmental use.
However, it became an environmental disaster since the compounds in widespread harm to the ozone layer. This fact must much or little frustrate the inventor of his effort since the reality is far different with what is intend.
It can be concluded that cosmic irony is a disparity between human intention and the reality happened. It could express a dissapointment of someone who feels that he have been betrayed by someone or even been badly treated by God.
86 WM. Van O’ Connor (1948), op.cit. p. 132.
87 Ibid. p. 126.
88 WM. Van O’ Connor (1948), op.cit. p. 126. 39
5. Understatement
Understatement is also a form of irony, which expresses a concept in term less strong than those of the intended meaning89. Based on Oxford Learner’s
Dictionary, understatement is a statement that expresses an idea, etc in a very weak way90.
For instance, a statement from a captain, says his best effort in a less term when he announces the condition of aircraft to passengers. The event is like this:
During the Kuala Lumpur to Perth leg of British Airways Flight 9 on 24 June, 1982, volcanic ash causes all four engines of the Boeing 747 aircraft to fail. Although pressed for time as the aircraft rapidly lost altitude, Captain Eric Moody still managed to make an announcement to the passengers, "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your
Captain speaking. We have a small problem. All four engines have stopped. We are doing our damnedest to get them going again. I trust you are not in too much distress."91 The word damnedest sounds ironic because actually the crew have done their best to make the engine get work again.
In other side, according to Sedgewick, understatement is the “true nature” of irony; irony is “language mocking itself.” He interprets this self-mockery as a recognition of discrepancy: “For the thing as stated, the appearance, falls so far short of the thing itself, the reality, as to be for all practical purposes a different entity.” In
89 Clarence E. Schneider (1974), op.cit. p. 204.
90 AS Hornby, Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English Fifth Edition (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995), p. 1299.
91 http://www.answers.com/topic/understatement August,2007. 40
other word, understatement is language mocking since considering the discrepancy between the reality and the appearance shown by certain character.
Thus, it can be inferred that understatement is a lesser expression that is made than the intended meaning.
6. Exaggeration
Exaggeration is a means to emphasis through overstatement. It is a form of irony, expresses a concept in terms that are stronger than the intended meaning92.
Based on Oxford exaggeration constitutes an action that make something seem larger, better, worse, etc than it really is93. Like when we say her smile is as wide as ocean. Therefore, we have described the smile to the listener that it is greater than the wide of smile actually could be.
Perrine added exaggeration or overstatement might be used with variety effects. It may be humorous or grave, fanciful or restrained, convincing or unconvincing94. To create the desired dramatic effect is also one of the effects when someone uses an exaggeration. For instance when persons use expressions such as "I nearly died laughing," and "I tried a thousand times." Such statements are not literally true, but people make them to sound impressive or to emphasize something, such as a feeling, effort, or reaction.
Even more in a broader sense, in political rhetoric and advertising slogans, exaggeration might be used to emphasize what they mean through their
92 Clarence E. Schneider (1974), op.cit. p. 204.
93 AS Hornby, Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English Fifth Edition (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995), p. 397.
94 Laurence Perrine (1969), op.cit . p. 101. 41
exaggerated words. It is used to attract the concern of people to choose a certain party in a general election or even in advertising world to gain the interest of consumer to buy a certain product.
Hence, it can be concluded that exaggeration is a statement that make something is much better or even worse than it really is. It is used to emphasize the intended meaning the author would like to deliver. 42
CHAPTER III
IRONY ANALYSIS ON THREE LYRICS
IN A PUNK ROCK MUSIC ALBUM COMPILATION- “ROCK AGAINST BUSH”
As it has been explained in the previous chapter that irony is a manner of speaking that implies a discrepancy. It is a way in telling something indirectly- a way that is implied incongruity so that it needs more attention for the readers to comprehend the meaning since it contains special purpose.
Irony is the most figures of speech that are found in this research. It is variously found in three lyrics that include in the punk rock music album compilation
– “Rock Against Bush”. They are Heaven Is Falling by The Ataris, God save the
U.S.A. by Pennywise, and Sad State of Affairs by Descendents.
It is known that punk musicians involved in the compilation album form a union to against the policies of George W. Bush that has been put in place and to oppose him in 2004 election. It has been recognized from the previous chapter that punks have always preached social political change in their songs. Punk musicians like Descendents, the Ataris, Flogging Molly, The Offspring, Rise Against,
Pennywise, Anti-Flag, Against Me!, Green Day, Sum 41, The World/Inferno
Friendship Society, The Epoxies, Autopilot Off and others here unite around issues they all care about and that they have all sung about. They all stand together as one voice in shaping the future of their country by choosing another candidate who has better domestic and foreign policies in the future.
The issues they preached are about personal freedom, the environment, and economic responsibility. One of the issues they more concern is about antiwar, 43
particularly war in Iraq, which was started by America On March 2003. Iraq was suspected to have Weapon Mass Destruction. Bush Administration feels that military actions, regime change, invasion in Iraq are necessary to be done to protect
Americans against Iraq's WMDs. The destructive weapon later is not proven possessed by Iraq. It is sufficient to mention the 448 dead American souls (as of
12/12/2003), the 11,000 maimed American servicemen, and the Iraqis (tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, it is difficult to know) that have resulted from the invasion95. This unexpected tragedy brings the question that “was this invasion and conquest really necessary to protect Americans?” Punk musicians involved in this album were pretty aware of this issue and bring it onto their songs to criticize the government.
The purpose of punk rock musicians in bringing the social political issues in their songs has accordance with the purpose of irony that is to criticize the figures of authority to allude them which is intended to touch the emotion of the listeners and to make them having negative opinions toward them.
In this chapter, the three lyrics where irony variously found like Heaven Is
Falling by The Ataris, God save the U.S.A. by Pennywise, and Sad State of Affairs by Descendents are analyzed in tables to make them easier to be classified and to be elaborated each meaning to find out how the irony found in lyrics may provoke listeners to not chose Bush in 2004 presidential election. In each lyric, the writer takes the lines contained irony and classifies them based on the variation of irony
95 Thom White, It's Official: Voting Bush Is 'Not Punk' (This article revised February 5 and October 10, 2004. Original redaction -- December 15, 2003. ) http://www.citizinemag.com/music/music-0312_punkvoter1.htm accessed on July 2007. 44
and comprehends the implied meaning to find out that irony found there may influence listeners not to elect Bush in the 2004 election.
B. Kinds of Irony in Three Analyzed Lyrics
1. Heaven Is Falling By The Ataris
As I walk beneath the valley I shall fear no evil for thanks to King George and his rainbow cabinet today murder is legal God I know that it's wrong 5 to kill my brother for what he hasn't done and as the planes blacken the sky it sounds like heaven is falling it sounds like heaven is falling you promises me a new day a'dawning 10 I've seen a thousand points of light like so many points of hatred, shame and horror God I want to be a man but I don't want to die with a rifle in my hand) and as the planes blacken the sky 15 it sounds like heaven is falling it sounds like heaven is falling you promised me a new day a'dawning well nothing here looks new to me but a score of mothers' sons 20 caught 'tween the devil and the deep blue sea 21
Heaven is Falling is an anti-war protest track from Rock Against Bush: Vol
196. This lyric titled heaven is falling is written by the ataris97. As it has been
recognized that the title of this punkrock compilation album is Rock Against
Bush. Hence, the idea tinged the lyrics with the disagreement toward President
George W. Bush Administration’s policies.
96 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ataris Accessed On September 2007 97 The ataris is an alternative punk rock band formed in 1995 come from Anderson, Indiana, USA comprises Kristopher Roe, John Collura, Paul Carabello, Angus Cooke, Bob Hoag, Sean Hansen and Shane Chickeles. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ataris Accessed On September 2007 45
Meanwhile, the issue reveals in heaven is falling is the dissagreement of
the Ataris to American Invasion to Iraq on March 2003. It is assumed so since
the lyrics seems uttering several dissapointments of the impact of a war. The
dissapointments are delivered to the listeners through several kinds of irony
contained in the lyrics.
The following table decribes several kinds of irony found in heaven is falling:
TABLE I Kinds of Irony Contained in Heaven is Falling Kinds of Data Line C. No. Irony Notes a. for thanks to 3 Satire, Satire: Exaggeration, King George Ordinarily, the word thanks is used and his to express one’s gratitude to rainbow someone else or even to God. cabinet However, thanks as a satirical word today murder 4 Irony of in this line sounds hardly sincere is legal situation and hardly literal because the speaker said thanks to King George who is in this case is George W. Bush- a President of US for the condition today the king had made murder became an action permitted to do. Exaggeration: The word king commonly occurs in a country where the king himself is the male ruler. It is also known that a king is a man who gains his position through his family bloodline and of 46
course has a centered-absolute authority. However, in this case, the word king is addressed to US President George Walker Bush as a head of a democracy nation. It is not appropriate and sounds hardly sincere since it is intended to exaggerate bush’ real position as a president totally acts like a king in his kingdom and made the rules by his consideration only without listening other opinions come from minority. Irony of Situation: The situation is ironic since what is expected in the word murder contrast with the condition described in the 4th line. As it has been known that murder is an illegal action in everywhere. It is an action of loosing someone’s life. It against the basic human right to have a life. However, in this 4th line, it is said that the condition today as the reality that has to be faced is “murder is legal to do”. It is contrary to the fact people have commonly known that murder supposed to be said as something avoided to do.
Irony of fate or cosmic irony occurs here. In the fifth line, it is told that the b. God I know 5 speaker has already known that to that it's wrong kill someone is something wrong to do. However, as a person in a war to kill is an action must be done. The Irony of fate contrast here where Cosmic Irony lies are between the desire of a to kill my speaker to be a good man who had brother for 6 already known that it is wrong to kill what he hasn't someone; and his fate to kill done someone. 47
Literally, the word heaven is the sky, c. it sounds like 98 8 as seen from the earth . Therefore, it heaven is seems not real to say that heaven is falling falling. It is an exaggeration. It Exaggeration symbolizes the condition of war at that time where booms and guns it sounds like were sounding and shaking every heaven is 9 district in war area. falling
Obviously, cosmic irony or irony of fate is contained in these lines d. you promise me a new day 10 because the incongruity can be seen a'dawning between the speaker’s desire of a promised enlighten days the speaker expects so far in the phrase a new I've seen a 11 Irony of fate day a'dawning; and the real thousand condition where hatred, shame, and points of light horror must be faced because of the lies (the unfulfilled promise). The real like so many 12 condition is still unavoidable where points of there isn’t any change and peace hatred, shame found there. and horror
Irony of fate or cosmic irony also occurs here since it can be seen the you promised 18 e. discrepancy between the phrase a me a new day Irony of fate new day a'dawning as the a'dawning expectation of the speaker about a new brighter day that has been
98 AS Hornby, Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English Fifth Edition (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995), p. 554. 48
promising; and the sentence a score well nothing 19 of mothers' sons caught 'tween the here looks new devil and the deep blue sea as the to me . 21 condition the speaker has to face but a score of The condition of dilemma of two mothers' sons difficult unavoidable choices whether caught 'tween facing satan or drowning in the dark the devil and deep ocean. the deep blue sea
Hence, it can be concluded that there are seven irony found in heaven is falling which are one satire, one irony of situation, two exaggeration, and three irony of fate.
1. God Save the U.S.A. by Pennywise
God you must be kidding me, thought this was supposed to be 1
The home of the brave and the free for you and me
But now there's something wrong - shit's been going on too
long.
It's never gonna change, there's no way i say.
What's the CIA and the NRA? 5
They're all the same - just the names are changed
Fuck - there's no excuse - any way you lose
It's all a joke in the good old USA.
All we need is more factories pumping filth into the sky.
Corporate greed and perverted priests, it's the story of our lives
10
And apathy's the national disease and there is no end in sight 49
God save the USA - blame the president and say your prayers tonight.
The irony of liberty is no one here is truly free
When elections are stolen bij the G.O.P
So watch the nightly news - find out how you are getting screwed. 15
What you gonna do? - there's no use i say
Fuck the industry - the aristocracy
Fuck they're all the same - just the names are changed.
Fuck ther's no excuse, any way you lose
It's all a joke in the good old USA
20
Government hypocricy - American Idolatry - Corporate philosophy.
Nightly news of tragedies - Where no one cares what's right or wrong
Our heroes now are all long gone - The freedoms that we all abuse
The obituaries front page news
24 50
God save the U.S.A. is a lyrics tinged with disappointment of the speaker
as a US citizen toward the American Government. It was written by pennywise99.
This lyric is a part of the movement against President Bush. Thus, the
disappointments must be addressed to Bush administration’s policies. The
disappointments of his every policy are delivered to the listeners with several
kinds of irony.
The following table decribes several kinds of irony found in God save
USA:
TABLE II Kinds of Irony Contained in God Save the USA E. Ki
D. Data nds of No. Line Notes Irony a. God you must Irony of situation occurs here. In these be kidding me lines, what the speaker expects for his thought this country is uttered in the sentence “this was 1 was supposed to be the home of the supposed to brave and the free for you and me”. It has be been assumed that a citizen of USA that The his democracy nation supposed to have freedom. However, it has contrast with home of the the actual result the speaker has to 2 face that “shit's been going on too long”. brave and the The condition where many wrong things happened that makes the speaker felt no free for you more freedom and felt that bravery is no Irony of longer sounded. So, freedom and bravery situation and me are hard possessed in USA.
99 Pennywise is a punk rock band formed in 1988 come from Hermosa Beach, California, United States comprises Jim Lindberg, Fletcher Dragge, Randy Bradbury and Byron McMackin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/pennywise Accessed On September 2007 51
But now there's something 3 wrong - shit's been going on too long.
It's never 4 b. gonna In this case, the sentence What's the CIA change, and the NRA? is a direct satirical question there's no that is used by the speaker because he way I say. has answered himself that They're all the same - just the names are changed. He was questioning the work of CIA and What's the 5 NRA, which in his eyes gives no big CIA and the change for the better day that is actually NRA? Satire so far expected. This satirical question They're all gives hurt to both government institutions the same - to allude their work to make them look just the 6 into themselves of the impotent of their names are work in order to make them repair their changed. job in the future. c. Fuck - there's 7 Sarcasm Sarcasm is found in the word fuck. Fuck no excuse - is a bitter word uttered by the speaker any way you here. Fuck is “to express extreme anger, 100 lose. annoyance or disgust ”. Here, It expresses anger to the failure of ‘you’. ‘You’, the addressed person the speaker means is a person whom the speaker angry with. He could not give any excuse to ‘you’ and admit ‘you’ have worst in doing his duty. So, the bitter word is intended to wound the feeling of you d. It's all a joke 8 Verbal The word joke is “a thing said to cause in the good irony amusement or laughter101”. It is in this line old USA seems hardly literal because in the next line (9th-11th line) there are several things told by the speaker that are great deal of
100 AS Hornby, (1995), op. cit p. 478
101Ibid. p. 640. 52
problem of a nation such as more factories pumping filth into the sky, corporate greed and the apathy that has became the national disease. Therefore, what actually the speaker means is the opposite of joke. It is a great matter of nation problems. It is a verbal irony e. All we 9 Ordinarily, the word need is “to require need is Satire more sth/ sb because they are important or 102 factories useful..” . However in this line, the pumping filth speaker has told that more factories into the sky pumping filth into the sky is needed. It sounds not literal because the filth is disgusting dirt that is commonly avoided by anyone but the speaker here needs it. It is a verbal irony. It is a way in telling the opposite of the surface means ‘filth is needed’. An ironic and satirical way to say “stop” for the action of making the air filled with filth with the factory. f. God save the 12 Satire Satire is found in this line because the USA - blame speaker told to the listeners literally and the president satirically to blame the president. In and say your uttering that phrase, the speaker would prayers like to make the listeners have a negative tonight. opinion to Bush as a sitting president who has got the responsibility of things such as more factories pumping filth into the sky, corporate greed and the apathy that has became the national disease as the speaker uttered in the 9th-11th line. g. The irony of 13 Irony of The word here the speaker means is “US” liberty is no situation which is absolutely a freedom democracy one here is country. However, in this line, the speaker truly free spoke to us that no one in US is trully free. It is Irony of Situation since freedom supposed to be possesed by every person in a democratic country such as United States.
102 Ibid. p. 777. 53
Thus, it can be deduced there are seven irony found in God Save the
USA which are two irony of situation, three satire, one sarcasm, and one verbal irony.
1. Sad State of Affairs by Descendent
It's such a sad state of affairs and I don't care A sad state of affairs It's such a sad state of affairs, I don't care Look at things long enough until they go away But they're still there, aren't they? 5 And each little insect doesn't get me angry And the dirt in the sink gets washed down the drain. It's such a sad state of affairs and I don't care A sad state of affairs This place could use a little repair, I don't care 10 The TV on the table says: "listen to me hum I sit on the sofa with my mind all numb And each little murderer doesn't get me angry And the dirt in the sink gets washed down the drain Follow the flow, where ever it goes 15 Down the drain and everything's clean Follow the blood, where is the blood? Washed away, away from the scene Use your time and memorize the lullaby of the day Process the data and throw it away 20 And each little question doesn't get me thinking And the lies of my life still buzz around my brain...
Sad State of Affairs tells about the disappointment of the speaker of the apathy of most American citizen concerning every social political issue in their nation. This lyric is written by the Descendent. It is also a part of movement oppose Bush’ policies. In this lyric, the band seems anxious to the apathy of
American citizens to Bush’ policy whose impact are not really something good. 54
The band’s awareness of this issue is conveyed to the listeners with several kinds
of irony.
The following table decribes several kinds of irony found in Sad State of
Affairs:
TABLE III Kinds of Irony Contained in Sad State of Affairs F. L
i G. K No. Data inds Notes n of Irony e
1. It's such a 1 Obviously, dramatic irony found here sad state of since what the speaker says and what the affairs and I author means have contrast. The don't care speaker’s word, which is straightforward and frigid, uttered the sentence I don’t A sad 2 care repeatedly. It means the author has a certain implied meaning besides the state of affairs surface meaning. Further, the phrase sad Dramatic state of affairs, which is also uttered Irony repeatedly, means pathetic national problems. It indicates the author actually It's such a 3 has a great awareness of the affairs. sad state of affairs, I don't care
2. And each 6 Dramatic The concept of dramatic irony appeared little insect Irony in the previous lines is a consideration doesn't get that the same case is also found here me angry which what the speaker says and what the author means is having incongruity. The little insect actually contrasts with the idea of the author. State of affairs as the 55
title of this lyrics is the indication that it isn’t little stuff. In the contrary, it is something that needs more attention.
3. A sad state 10 Dramatic Dramatic irony appears again in this line of affairs Irony since still what the speaker says contrast This place with what the author means. I don’t care could use a of the phrase sad state of affairs implied little repair, I the opposed idea with the author. And don't care Little repair here means a change to make a better place. So, actually what the author means is that he cares much of nation problems and hope to make change toward a better future.
4. I sit on the 12 The concept of dramatic irony again sofa with my found in this line which is what the mind all numb speaker says contrast with what the author means. The indications of the incongruity are located on the word murder and the phrase doesn’t get me angry. Commonly, someone heard murder would get anxious and angry to Dramatic that illegal action. However, it is different And each Irony here; the speaker said that he is not little angry of the murder. Such condition murderer 13 where a person doesn’t care of the issue doesn't get of murder emphasized by the author me angry conveyed the opposite idea of what the speaker says, that is he was aware of the issue and anxious to see the person who was not.
5. And each The last, the most important dramatic little irony found here where what the speaker question uttered that each little question doesn't doesn't get get him thinking contrasts with what the me thinking 21 author means. The contrast is recognized by the title of the lyrics that is sad state of affairs, which means the nations problem, and the previous concept of 56
Dramatic dramatic irony found in the previous lines. And the lies of 23 Thus, the lyric implies the author wouldn’t my life still Irony let any lies around his life and will find buzz around truth than sit on the sofa with half my brain... conscious and let lies around and ignore every little question that will reveal the truth just like the person portrayed in this lyric.
Hence, it can be inferred from Sad State of Affairs, there are five
dramatic irony found.
A. The Way Irony Found in The Three Analyzed Lyrics Provoke Youths Not to
Elect “Bush” in 2004 Presidential Election
1. Heaven is Falling
Heaven is Falling is one of the song lyric written by the Ataris. As a punk musician, The Ataris does not speak about love much in their music particularly in
Heaven is Falling. Their lyrics in their previous album contained personal, storytelling lyrics and heartfelt tales of relationships, discovery and things once left behind103.
In Heaven is Falling, the issue they bring inspired by their awareness of their social political circumstances. Their music and lyrics here tell the feelings of frustration, anger and figure of an authority. In expressing their idea, previously the writer has found at least four different kinds of irony. They are satire, exaggeration, irony of situation, and cosmic irony or irony of fate. By elaborating their meaning, it
103 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ataris Accessed On September 2007 57
will find out how irony found in each lyric provoke youths to not elect Bush in 2004 presidential election.
The writer will begin with the persona104 in this lyric. It shall be known later who is the speaker and with whom he or she spoke. The persona used here is “I”.
The writer assumes that the speaker “I” is a soldier in a condition where war cannot be avoided. It can be seen from speaker’s utterance below:
today murder is legal (4) God I know that it's wrong (5) to kill my brother for what he hasn't done (6) but I don't want to die with a rifle in my hand (14)
Here, the soldier describes the place where he was sent. The phrase as the planes blacken the sky (7), it sounds like heaven is falling (8), it sounds like heaven is falling (9) are the description of a massive destruction the speaker has given that later it can be assumed that it is a war where guns and bombs sounded everywhere and destroy everything just like heaven is falling- a success exaggeration used here since people can imagine the huge destruction happened in the war area.
Based on the background of making of the album, preaching antiwar in Iraq is one of the issues brought by punk musician involved in compilation album- Rock
Against Bush. It is also the issue the Ataris conveys here. It is supported with the condition of war described in this lyric. Persona ‘I’ here is a soldier. And the more convincing support can be seen in the 3rd– 4th line, President Bush presents along with satirical word, for thanks to King George and his rainbow cabinet (3) today murder is legal (4).
104 Persona is the character of a person as presented to others. AS Hornby, (1995), op.cit, p. 397 58
From these facts, it is revealed to the surface that this lyric is about a US army sent by Bush’s administration to Iraq war. A war started by American invasion to Iraq on March 2003.
The story begins when the soldier intends to kill his enemy, he was having a war himself inside his heart since what he would do at that time is not what he desire of. There is a sense of regret in 5th-6th line when he would kill the person who doesn’t even do any harm thing toward him. God I know that it's wrong (5) to kill my brother for what he hasn't done (6). That sense of regret is contained irony particularly dramatic irony. Other several kinds of irony also are appeared in this lyric as it can be seen in table I.
Now, the writer will explain further the meaning of irony contained in Heaven is Falling. Several kinds of irony contained in this lyric are as tools of the Ataris to contribute sense of criticizing and even alluding to the action of the government in order to provoke them not to elect Bush in 2004 presidential election. They are:
a. for thanks to King George and his rainbow cabinet today murder is legal
It has been found that there are three kinds of irony found in these
two lines. They are satire, exaggeration, and irony of situation. They
collide to convey one implied meaning, namely a disagreement against
Bush’s policy concerning American invasion to Iraq, which caused many
souls died there.
The issue has been globally worldwide. Thousand of protesters from
around the world express their antiwar concerns. Even more, citizen of
US itself brings coffins to the street as a symbol of their disagreement of 59
Iraq war. “A group carrying what was described as 1,000 coffins
representing U.S. dead in Iraq marches past Madison Square Garden
during the anti-Bush march organized by United for Peace and Justice in
New York Sunday, August 29, 2004, on the eve of the Republican
National Convention”105.
The three kinds of irony here means to convey the disagreement.
Satire in the phrase thanks to King George gives knowledge to the
listeners; the speaker’s relation is not quite good to President Bush. It is
intended to criticize his policy to invade Iraq.
In addition, exaggeration uttered in the word king symbolizes the
madness of the speaker as a soldier who entitles King George instead of
president to exaggerate his real position for the unexpected policy he had
stated with his full authority to start war in Iraq which later causes
thousands of people killed.
It is ironic for punk musicians against Bush since in what they
consider the world's purest democracy, George Jr. was elected to be a
Texas governor then a president of USA on the basis on his bloodlines
from his father rather than his merits106.
Irony of situation appeared later in the second lines (today murder is
legal). It implies a disappointment of the speaker. It bears so considering
the situation is ironic because US as a country where human right is
105 http://www.ccmep.org/2002_articles/Iraq/102702_pictures_of_anti.htm
106 http://punkvoter.com/about/about_obj.php Accessed on March 2007 60
declared to give the freedom to the people thoroughly does many cases
of human rights’ violation during invasion to Iraq led uncounted Iraqis
killed close to 4,000 US troops killed as a report of BBC by Hugh
Sykes107.
Those three different kinds of irony used here in order to allude the
president for the impact occurred after the policy he stated. Those irony
intended to arouse the emotion of the listeners to have the same feeling
with the speaker and then to have a negative opinion toward the
president. b. God I know that it's wrong to kill my brother for what he hasn't done (line 5-6)
The meaning of cosmic irony used here is a guilty feeling expressed
by the soldier since he must kill innocent people. He has to face this
condition because of the policy of the president sent him to war.
US has done mistake; suspecting Iraq for the apparent non-existence
of dreadful weapons. This fact made the soldier in this lyric has no
passion of war to kill as many as possible of his enemy since the enemy
has no fault to be war. Even more, the war resulted general ruinations
and many civilians killed108. The soldier expresses his guilty in lyric (God I
know that it’s wrong to kill my brother for what he hasn’t done)
In other word, America starts war in Iraq for no reason. Consequently,
the soldier sent to war had to kill the innocent people. Irony of fate
express guilty here build the emotion of the listeners and it is intended to
107 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7287917.stm 108 http://www.citizinemag.com/politics/0703_iran.htm. Accessed on September 2007 61
make the listener do not trust George Bush any longer to be the president
of United States and not to choose him in the next election. c. it sounds like heaven is falling it sounds like heaven is falling
In describing the massive destruction happened in war area, the band
uses exaggeration, which means the condition of Iraq during the invasion
was completely awful. It was just like heaven is falling. The sounds of
bombs and guns tinged the area of war bring destruction that leads the
speaker to describe it by saying it sounds like heaven is falling repeatedly
twice and reoccurred twice more in the 16th-17th line. The choice of word
contained exaggeration here intended to give a huge destruction as an
impact of a war. d. you promise me a new day a'dawning I've seen a thousand points of light like so many points of hatred, shame and horror
Cosmic irony in these three lines implied a disappointment of being
betrayed since the promise about an enlighten day has not been fulfilled
yet. As it is known, cosmic irony could be sustained easily if there was a
strong feeling of being betrayed.
It is assumed; you, the person whom the soldier spoke with is
President Bush because previously his name has been uttered satirically
(for thanks to King George).
Thus, by cosmic irony the soldier expresses his feeling of being
betrayed for the unfulfilled promise of President Bush. It can be seen with
what Thom White has told in his article; “Remember August 2002 to 62
March 2003: Cheney, Rumsfeld, Blair, Bush, Wolfowitz, Perle, Rice,
Powell, all said military action, regime change, invasion was necessary to
protect Americans. Was it?”.109 Instead of invasion President Bush also
abdicated Saddam Husein, Iraq President. It is advertised as an action to
save Iraqis from violence he made.
However, invasion of Iraq resulted more violence, violations of human
right, and many murders. It has been uttered in 11th line (thousands of
points of light like so many points of hatred, shame and horror), which in
fact it is contrary to the mission of President Bush in commanding military
action in Iraq.
The word horror describes fears and thread of Iraqis in the middle of
the war where every sound of guns and thread of bombs should be faced
each day.
The word hatred means the anger of Americans since the policy of
the president leads murders and destructions. It is opponent with
president’s mission; military action is necessary to protect Americans.
And the word shame, which is a sad feeling, resulting from guilty here
means the guilty feeling of anti-war Americans since their powerful
country has done silly mistake through suspecting Iraq for the apparent
non-existence of dreadful weapons. Hence, those words convey message
to give negative side of Bush’s decision stated impliedly that Bush is a liar
and he doesn’t deserve to be elected in the next presidential election.
109 Thom White, It's Official: Voting Bush Is 'Not Punk' (This article revised February 5 and October 10, 2004. Original redaction -- December 15, 2003. ) http://www.citizinemag.com/music/music-0312_punkvoter1.htm accessed on July 2007 63
e. you promised me a new day a'dawning well nothing here looks new to me but a score of mothers' sons caught 'tween the devil and the deep blue sea
Cosmic irony reoccurred here. Someone who had been betrayed
express his feeling easily by applying it. Here, because of President
Bush’s mission to protect Americans, the soldier was sent to war and got
a great dilemma; a dilemma to kill or to be killed. It is uttered horrifyingly
in the lyric (caught 'tween the devil and the deep blue sea). The soldier
conveys his disappointment to the President’s mission since in fact,
nothing change much except fate he must receive as an army who
encompassed with dilemma to kill or be killed. Cosmic irony applied here
is intended to make the listeners to feel the same way as a soldier who
has fate of dilemma in acquiring the categorical mission of Bush in Iraq.
Several kinds of irony explained above are means for the band used to express their feelings of being betrayed, hatred, and disappointments toward the
President’s authority in invading Iraq. The way they utter their feelings is intended to make the listeners feel the same way. It will influence the listeners to feel the same disappointments to the President Bush. It can be stated that the goal of the album will be achieved to provoke the listeners not to trust President Bush any longer and not to vote him in the next presidential election.
2. God Save The USA
God Save The USA is another song lyric included in Rock Against Bush compilation album written by Pennywise. In God Save The USA, the issue they 64
bring, is inspired by their awareness of their social political circumstances. Figure of an authority are usually the object to be alluded in their lyrics. In expressing their idea, previously the writer has found at least four different kinds of irony. They are irony of situation, satire, sarcasm, and verbal irony. They will help the writer to comprehend further the lyric by elaborating their meaning.
The persona used in this lyric is “I”. The writer assumes that the persona “I” is an American citizen who is very anxious of his every national problem since economic issue and even election has been uttered in this lyric.
Several kinds of irony contained in God Save The USA as means for
Pennywise to contribute sense of criticizing and even alluding to the action of the government. apparently can be seen in table II above. Further the meaning of irony contained in God Save The USA will be elaborated below to know further the way irony led to provoke listeners to not give their vote to Bush in the election. They are:
a. God you must be kidding me thought this was supposed to be The home of the brave and the free for you and me But now there's something wrong - shit's been going on too long.
Irony of situation occurs here means the disappointed feeling of the
speaker since the big country like America as the place they live where
freedom and human right are sounded doing violation that makes
everything goes on wrong.
b. It's never gonna change, there's no way i say. What's the CIA and the NRA? They're all the same - just the names are changed.
Satire in these lines is telling what the speaker actually means with
the sense of allusion to the government for the step they’ve taken. The 65
speaker feels disappointed of the work of CIA and NRA since CIA
officially had suspected Iraq in having dreadful weapon, which is later,
unproven after that country was invaded massively by the commandment
of head of state US.
It is a fact that in the latter half of 2002, Central Intelligence Agency
reports requested by the administration contained conflicting assertions
on whether Saddam Hussein was intent on reconstituting nuclear
weapons programs, had not properly accounted for Iraqi biological and
chemical weapons, and that some Iraqi missiles had a range greater than
allowed by the UN sanctions”110. By the recommendation of such
authorized institution, the head of the state commanded to invade Iraq-an
independent country. This policy bore the controversy around the world
since in the end it is not proven for Iraq to have such weapon. The fact
that it is obviously unproven gives bad reputation to those institutions.
Based on the historical background of the making of this album, Iraq
war is also the inspiring issue that was against seriously by pennywise.
c. Fuck - there's no excuse - any way you lose . Sarcasm found here in the word fuck. The bitterness found in the
word fuck in this line is intended to wound the feeling of the addressee
who is in this case is the President. Sarcasm here means the expression
of anger of an American citizen toward the policy of the President. The
band then claims no excuse for the President; even more they state that
110 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_w_Bush. Accessed on September 2007 66
the President is lost for the problem that cannot be solved by neither CIA
nor NRA (in the previous line) under his authority. d. It's all a joke in the good old USA
The word joke in this line is not in accordance with what is later
uttered in 9th-11th lines:
{1} All we need is more factories pumping filth into the sky.
(2) Corporate greed and perverted priests, it's the story of our
lives.
(3) And apathy's the national disease and there is no end in
sight.
Thus, it means the opposite; it is something serious concerning
state affairs. As it has been discussed before the speaker has been
insulted by the action of CIA in suspecting Iraq to have dreadful
weapon, which was resulted a war. e. All we need is more factories pumping filth into the sky
Satire occurs in this line implied the madness and disappointed
feeling of the speaker to American head of state. What actually the
speaker means that he does not appreciate of what is done by the
president, which make more factories waste more pollutions to the air.
It is a way in telling the opposite of the surface means ‘filth is needed’.
An ironic and satirical way to say “stop” for the action of making the air
filled with filth with the factory. 67
f. God save the USA - blame the president and say your prayers tonight.
Kinds of irony contained here is satire. By saying blame the president,
the speaker would like to make the listeners to have a negative opinion
about Bush as a sitting president who is the main person who got the
responsibility of the impact of his policies. The president makes his
country got bad image for his every policy. A country he lead which is well
known as a democratic country and very often to speak about democracy
everywhere now betrays its own ideology when the president decide to
invade an independent country such as Iraq with a suggestion of
possessing a destructing weapon which is later is not proven. The
speaker then speak to the listener that it is all because of Bush, making
this country seems so ironic since freedom is not a big deal for policy of
Bush as a president is just like a decision of a king which is unbreakable.
Negara besar seperti Amerika yang menyebut dirinya yang paling demokratis di dunia, nyatanya tidak berbeda dengan negara lainnya yang juga mempertimbangkan segala sesuatunya berdasarkan kepentinggannya sendiri dan mengabaikan fakta-fakta yang merugikan mereka. Negara yang dianggap memiliki toleransi dan kebebasan yang tinggi itu nyatanya tidak pernah beranjak dari paradigma lamanya dalam menghadapi musuh-musuhnya. Negara yang begitu mengagungkan hak asasi manusia itu nyatanya begitu bangga membantai ribuan manusia tak berdosa, baik di Afganistan maupun Irak sekarang.
Negara dengan teknologi yang sangat canggih itu pun masih merasa perlu untuk menuduh pihak-pihak lain atas berbagai kesalahan dan kegagalan yang dilakukannya dalam perang Irak. Rusia, Iran, Suriah secara bergantian dituduh membantu Irak. Negara, seperti Amerika dan Inggris ini, nyata-nyata bangga dengan predikat imperialis yang 68
disandangnya. Sungguh suatu ironi yang amat menyedihkan di abad yang dianggap maju dan beradab ini111.
g. The irony of liberty is no one here is truly free
Irony of situation appears in this line since when the results of a
situation are far different from what was expected. As people have
recognized that US is absolutely a freedom country. However, the
speaker blamed the president to express his disappointment of the
unexpected situation comes as a result where his decision which is
unbreakable makes freedom become something hard to find.
Even more Kofi Annan in his last speech ridicule Bush’s policy as a
president of the nation which supposed appreciate freedom, human rights
and democracy above all.
He said the United States was a model democracy “in which everyone, including the most powerful, is subject to legal restraint.” The United States was “in the vanguard of the global human rights movement,” but said “that lead can only be maintained if America remains true to its principles, including in the struggle against terrorism.” “When it appears to abandon its own ideals and objectives,” he added, “its friends abroad are naturally troubled and confused.”112.
The speaker also expresses his anger in the next lines with
mentioning the word fuck for at least three times. His angers and his
disappointments address to the government and to the apathy of most US
citizens.
111 Neneng Yanti Kh., Perlawanan Terhadap Dominasi Media Barat http://www.pikiran-rakyat.com/cetak/0403/16/0802.htm, Accessed on August 2007 112 Warren Hoge, Annan Urges U.S. to Reject Unilateralism, http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/12/world/12annan.html?_r=1&n=Top/Reference/Times%20 Topics/People/A/Annan,%20Kofi&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin Accessed on March 2008 69
Pennywise express their anger and their disappointments using satire, sarcasm, irony of fate, verbal irony, and irony of situation through this lyric, God save
USA. The band concerns the issue of freedom and social economy problem caused by the policy of Bush’s administration from beginning war, unilateralism, and corporate philosophy in monopolizing economy world.
3. Sad State Of Affairs
Sad State of Affairs is another song lyric written by the Descendent includes in this compilation punk-rock music album, Rock Against Bush. Descendent is one of the bands that have same perception to other punk musicians in this compilation album. They contribute a song titled Sad State of Affairs.
Disappointment and feelings of desperate tinge the song lyric sad state of affairs. In raising the awareness of the listeners, the band use dramatic irony as their tool to express their inner emotion. The dramatic irony used here is intended to make the listener reflect to the song, whether they are similar to the speaker in the lyric who is being very apathy concerning his or her social and political circumstances.
Indirectly, with telling the opponent of what the author means here not to give the preaching to the listeners, particularly punk fans, but rather to give chance to the listener to reflect themselves to the character in this song.
The persona “I” in this lyric, the writer assumes is an American citizen who is very apathy of his every national problem and even election has been uttered in this lyric.
In table III above, several kinds of irony contained in Sad State of Affairs apparently can be seen. They are as tools of the Descendent to contribute sense of 70
criticizing and even alluding Bush administration to make the listeners recognize the matter faced by the nation resulted in his presidency. Further the meaning of irony contained in Sad State of Affairs will be elaborated below. They are:
a. It's such a sad state of affairs and I don't care A sad state of affairs It's such a sad state of affairs, I don't care
Dramatic irony here means the disappointment of the band to most of
the USA citizens particularly youth are not aware of every affair of the
state. The word I don’t care is an expression of anger of the band to
people in their country who don’t care to their social political issues.
It is a fact from Punkvoter (a website for punk community) that in the
2000 election, Bush "won" Florida by only 537 votes. 2 million registered
voters in Florida did NOT vote in that election. If only 600 of those had
voted for Gore (The opposition party, a candidate from Democrat), the
country would be in a very different position. Additionally, only 38% of
young people (18-29) voted in the 2000 presidential election. This is not
only sad; it is pathetic113.
The reasons are various. They do not trust to any candidate and has
already desperate of the quality work of the government. But, in this line,
the descendent would like to bring the idea that action not to vote is not
going to make change. So, the author indirectly preaches to the listeners
to be more care and aware to state of affairs from using vote and other
social political problems, especially young people can make a huge
113 http://punkvoter.com/about/about_obj.php. Accessed on March, 2007. 71
difference by becoming active in the election process because voting is
the crucial first step and apathy can be fatal. The issue to vote organized
by www.punkvoter.com (a punk site community) to give information why
actually they should vote and other provoking facts to make them think
twice to re-elect Bush in 2004 presidential election. b. And each little insect doesn't get me angry
Dramatic irony occurred in each little insect and the phrase doesn’t
get me angry means the anxiety of the band to the apathy of most
American youth to every little insect, which means every affair of the
nation. It is known that insect here means affairs as the titled given, sad
state of affairs. State of affairs as the title of this lyrics is the indication
that it isn’t little stuff. In the contrary, it is something that needs more
attention. Ignoring a serious problem related to nation by youth is
something common. However, through this lyric where dramatic applied,
the band intend to give a point of view for youth to make them be more
aware of the nation’s affairs. c. A sad state of affairs This place could use a little repair, I don't care
The sentence I don’t care repeated four times emphasizes something
to make the listeners who have been apathy feel shame and indirectly
give the spirit of change through This place could use a little repair. d. I sit on the sofa with my mind all numb And each little murderer doesn't get me angry
As people have already known that the invasion to Iraq resulting not
only destruction but also so many blood shed from Iraqi and even US 72
army. The writer assumes that the speaker is the representative of the
most American citizens who feel apathy with this issue even though they
have watched it through their TV in their sofa with half unconscious every
day. Since US starts war in Iraq, it’s been almost every day the news of
murderer (the number of people killed in Iraq war is getting increased
everyday) broadcasted on TV. Unfortunately, the intense of murder news
just give a little sympathy then people get accustomed of the kind news.
Dramatic irony occurs here in the word And each little murderer doesn't
get me angry means the expression of anger of the band to the people
who are not annoyed when they see murder in their eyes.
e. And each little question doesn't get me thinking And the lies of my life still buzz around my brain...
Previously, there are several things that make the speaker do not feel
angry. They are a sad state of affairs, each little insect, This place could
use a little repair, And each little murderer, and the last is in these lines,
each little question doesn't get me thinking. This dramatic irony implied
the idea of the whole lyrics, which is the disappointments, and anxiety of
the band toward person who does not care concerning the issue in their
own circumstances then he let every lies around, ignoring every truth that
will answer his each little question. The person, who the band describes
being the speaker here.
Dramatic irony explained above are means that the band used to express their feelings of anger, disappointed, and anxiety toward people who are being apathy with every affair of the state. It is intended to give chance to the listeners to reflect to themselves and later to make a change by more care and aware to the 73
social political issues around. Particularly, by using their vote, it was as a first step to make change in America. 74
CHAPTER IV
CONCLUSION
Rock Against Bush is a punk rock music compilation album with Fat Mike as a producer, a famous American punk rock musician. The social- politic condition of America makes him make up his mind to make a movement by launching an inspiring compilation album for American youths to be aware of the social-politic circumstances in US.
The releasing of this compilation album led to encourage people, especially punk fans, to register to vote and to oppose Bush as a sitting president in 2004 US general election. The album proceeds were used to support a 2004 political concert tour and an associated voter registration drive. They unite around issues they all care about and that they have all sung about. They engaged the punk rock spirit into today’s political battles. Punk bands, punk labels, and punk fans opposed the president form a union against the chaotic policies of George W. Bush.
Irony as one of chief instruments of critical intelligence was successfully used by the punk musicians to provoke American youths particularly punk fans to oppose
Bush since many comments from punk fans in punkvoter.com agree with the perspective of punk musicians involved in Rock Against Bush114. In fact, instead
George Walker Bush was reelected in the 2004 general election; the Rock Against
Bush compilation had been sold many combined copies. As it has been stated by
114 www.punkvoter.com March, 21 2007 75
Fat mike in an interview, the Rock Against Bush compilation sold a combined
650,000 copies and raised more than $ 1 million in the 2004 election cycle115.
Irony applied in three lyrics the writer analyzes are Heaven is Falling by the
Ataris, God Save USA by Pennywise, Sad state of affairs by Descendent.
In Heaven is Falling by the Ataris, it was found one satire, two exaggerations, one irony of situation, and three irony of fate or cosmic irony. They help the band to convey the implied meaning: the allusion and critics to President Bush about the issue of war Iraq.
In God Save USA by Pennywise, the writer found two irony of situation, three satires, sarcasm, and one verbal irony. They implied the madness and disappointments as American citizen in looking up the impact of the foreign and domestic policies that Bush administration had stated.
In Sad state of affairs by Descendent, dramatic irony constitutes the only irony found. However, it heightens the whole lyrics to convey their perspectives concerning the importance of voting as the first and crucial step toward a better change. And to remain that apathy can be fatal because there will be any difference by being abstain.
Conformity between the purpose of irony and ideology of punk rock attitude was found here by the writer. Irony as a chief instrument of critical intelligence was used by punk musicians against Bush to criticize to pursue the aim to make George
Walker Bush not to be reelected in 2004 general election.
115 http://www.punknews.org/article/23899 July,03,08 76
Finally, the conformity of irony and punk rock attitude gained result because this punk rock music album compilation as one of many movements that dislike
President George W. Bush succeeded to rock 2004 presidential election. Although as a result, the President was re-elected to be US president up to four years later, it was recorded by CNN that the percentage of youth amid 18-29 years old preferred to vote Bush’s opposition party (John Kerry from Democratic Party). The percentage of
US youth amid 18-29 years old vote in 2004 presidential election was 17 percent and
54 percent of it vote against Bush116.
116 http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/US/P/00/epolls.0.html 77
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Hebdige, Dick. Asal-usul & ideology Subkultur Punk. Yogyakarta: Buku Baik, 1999.
Hornby, AS. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English Fifth Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995.
Hubbell, Jay B. PH.D. And John O. Beaty, PH. D. An Introduction to Poetry. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1949.
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Kennedy, X.J. Literature: An Introduction To Fiction, Poetry And Drama. Second Edition. Boston: Little, Brown & Company, 1979
Keraf, Gorys. Diksi dan Gaya Bahasa. Jakarta: PT. Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2005.
O’ Connor, WM. Van. Sense and Sensibility in Modern Poetry. Chicago: The University of Chicago press, 1948.
Perrine, Laurence. Sound and Sense An introduction to Poetry Eight Edition. Fort Worth: Harcourt, Brace and world, Inc., 1969.
Scharbach, Alexander. Critical Reading and Writing. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc. 1965.
Schneider, Clarence E. Syntax & Style, Chandler & Sharp Publishers. Inc., 1974
Seery, John Evan. Political Returns: Irony in Politics and Theory from Plato to the Antinuclear Movement. Boulder: West view Press, 1990. Spears, Dean Millan. Developing Critical Reading Skill. USA: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1999. Stull, Bradford T. The Elements of Figurative Language, Pearson Education Inc., 2002 78
Wheeler, Charles B. The Design of Poetry. New York: W. W. Norton & Company Inc., 1966.
White,Thom It's Official: Voting Bush Is 'Not Punk' (This article revised February 5 and October 10, 2004. Original redaction -- December 15, 2003. ) http://www.citizinemag.com/music/music-0312_punkvoter1.htm accessed on July 2007.
Wiederhorn, Jon Good Charlotte. Green Day, NOFX To Rock Against President Bush: Anti-Bush compilation album due next spring, along with tour. http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1479176/20030919/index.jhtml?headline s=true accesed on April, 2007
Yanthi,Neneng Perlawanan Terhadap Dominasi Media Barat http://www.pikiran- rakyat.com/cetak/0403/16/0802.htm accessed on April 2007 http://www.caninews.com/hot_issues/article.php?article_id=312. Pidato Terakhir Kofi Annan, Sarkasme Buat Bush: AS Bertelinga Tipis. Accessed on September 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyrics". Accessed on April 2007. http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/Cambridge/entries/097/punk-rock.html. Accessed on June 2007. http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideologi_Punk. Accessed on June 2007. http://www.exampleessays.com/viewpaper/93966.html. Accessed on June 2007. http://www.sinarharapan.co.id/berita/0503/10/hib01.html. Accessed on August 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irony. Accessed on March 2007. http://www.k-state.edu/english/baker/english320/cc-dramatic_irony.htm. Accessed on September 2007. http://www.sarcasmsociety.com/irony/situational.php. Accessed on August 2007. http://www.waukeganschools.org/WHSCommunications/discuss/msgReader$75. Accessed on June 2007 http://www.answers.com/topic/understatement. Accessed on August 2007. 79
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ataris Accessed On September 2007 http://punkvoter.com/about/about_obj.php. Accessed on March, 2007. http://www.answers.com/topic/lyrics. Accessed on April, 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/pennywise Accessed On September 2007 http://www.citizinemag.com/politics/0703_iran.htm. Accessed on September 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_w_Bush. Accessed on September 2007 http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/lit_terms/irony.html. Accessed on March 2007. http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/sarcasm.html. Accessed on August 2007. http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/satire.html. Accessed on August 2007. http://dictionary.reference.com/cite.html?qh=irony&ia=luna. Accessed on March 2007 80 81
A group carrying what was described as 1,000 coffins representing U.S. dead in Iraq marches past Madison Square Garden during the anti-Bush march organized by United for Peace and Justice in New York Sunday, August 29, 2004, on the eve of the Republican National Convention. http://www.ccmep.org/2002_articles/Iraq/102702_pictures_of_anti.htm
Thousands of anti-war protesters march up Sixth Avenue in New York, March 20, 2004. Anti-war protests are taking place in many cities around the world on the anniversary of U.S.-led war in Iraq. REUTERS/Chip East 82
Rock Against Bush
Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1Rock Against Bush, Vol. 2 (20 April 2004) (10 August 2004)
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Rock Against Bush is a project mobilizing skate punk and pop punk musicians against the 2004 U.S. Presidential campaign of George W. Bush. It was inspired by the idea of creating a vibe of anti-war and pro-peace sentiment, similar to the Woodstock Festival of 1969.
The effort was initiated by Fat Mike (Michael Burkett) of the band NOFX, inspired by the classic Rock Against Reagan campaign of the early 1980s. It has included live concerts, a series of compilation albums, and a "punkvoter" website. Its goal was to encourage people, especially punk fans, to register to vote and to oppose Bush. The album proceeds were used to support a 2004 concert tour and an associated voter registration drive, emphasizing the swing states.
Rock Against Bush and Punkvoter received criticism from diverse groups and individuals. The liner notes of the albums included liberal talking points against Bush. Supporters of George W. Bush and others criticised the movement, while a similar (but more obscure) project was started by conservative punks, called Crush Kerry. In addition, some more radical punks (and anarchists especially) criticized the emphasis on electoral politics, as well as the virtual endorsement of John Kerry, who some believed was almost (if not) as bad as George W. Bush. The band Propagandhi decided not to participate when Fat Mike requested they change the lyrics of the song they wished to contribute, which were critical of George Soros. T- shirts were printed, depicting Fat Mike with the text "Not My Political Advisor", as a parody of the "Not My President" shirts that depicted Bush, issued by Fat Mike. Fat Mike himself stated he found this to be "pretty funny". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Against_Bush 83
About Punkvoter.com OVERVIEW Welcome to About Punkvoter.com. Use the menu above to view other parts of the About area.
Overview: Choose one of the following items, or scroll down, for more information.
01. What Is Punkvoter? 02. What Is Our Goal? 03. What Do We Stand For? 04. Why Build This Coalition?
What Is Punkvoter? ABOUT PUNKVOTER.COM Punk bands, musicians, and record labels have built a coalition to educate, register and mobilize progressive voters.
Something needs to be done to unite the youth vote and bring real activism back into our society. Punk rock has always been on the edge and in the forefront of politics. It is time to energize the majority of today’s disenfranchised youth movement and punk rockers to make change a reality.
Punkvoter is about organizing the many diverse and regional movements into one voice of political change. Punkvoter is our way to educate today’s youth about what is really going on in Washington, DC and how we can collectively force change. This is our chance to be a strong voice against the serious flaws in the current political system. This is our way to talk about new laws and scenarios that could change our quality of life for years to come. Punkvoter is your organization. It will be run with the same energy and spirit of all punk efforts. With your help we will be a credible force to truly shape the future of our nation.
These are drastic times and today’s youth are not voting.
The US is waging wars on false pretenses.
Kids under our country's legal drinking age are fighting overseas and dying.
Unemployment has reached nine-year highs.
Every state has budget deficits and is actively passing these burdens on to future generations - that means you.
An estimated 60% of the 2003 graduates will have to move back in with their parents because of the lack of jobs.
The 18 to 24-year-old voter demographic dropped to an all time low of only 38% in 2000.
We have to do something. Punkvoter plans to organize, educate and invigorate today’s youth to again think politically and become involved in changing their society. 84
What Is Our Goal? ABOUT PUNKVOTER.COM Our goal is to educate, register and mobilize over 500,000 of today’s youth as one voice. We plan to use this election as a way to get our fans engaged in politics and evolve our movement into becoming involved locally to affect real change nationally.
What Do We Stand For? ABOUT PUNKVOTER.COM The progressive principles that parallel the punk movements' guiding strength drive Punkvoter. This is the time for the punk scene to unite around issues we all care about and that we have all sung about. We must all stand together as one voice in shaping the future of our country. This is not about who is a sellout, who is too hardcore or who is from the west coast, etc…This is about getting everyone to mobilize as a block of concerned voters. Punk bands, punk labels, and punk fans must form a union against the chaotic policies George W. Bush has put in place. He must be exposed.
Even amongst this coalition of free thinkers, we may not agree on every issue. Nonetheless, we are united around these four basic principals and feel it is time to stand together in questioning our current administration's policies
Why Build this Coalition? ABOUT PUNKVOTER.COM
Music has always been ahead of societal change and a major influence on both the culture and the politics of the day. Punk rock is about taking an in-your-face attitude in order to rebel against the problems of our society. Its time to engage the punk rock spirit into today’s political battles.
Remember, some of punk’s greatest inventors back lashed against the norms of their society. Punk rock has clearly broken down the prudish undercurrents of many Puritanical yet supposedly “modern” governments. Punk bands like the Sex Pistols, MC5, The Clash, Subhumans, Minor Threat, Crass, and Propagandhi have all been a voice for the working class and other minorities in times of strife. Punk musicians have never been afraid to speak out on such topics as drug abuse, suicide, and forms of discrimination such as sexism and racism. In addition, small bands have been local voices for their communities’ grassroots concerns. From benefit concerts (California’s NOFX, Green Day), to running shelters (DC’s Fugazi and Positive Force) punks have always preached social change. Even though punk’s diversity spans the political spectrum from the far right to the far left (and even includes those that advocate for the complete breakdown of government as we know it), punk has always preached in the hopes of making change a reality.
We must remember that today’s politicians are servants to their constituents therefore we must become a true voting force. http://punkvoter.com/about/about.php 85
BUSH KERRY NADER VOTE BY AGE TOTAL 2004 2000 2004 2004
18-29 (17%) 45% n/a 54% 0%
30-44 (29%) 53% +4 46% 1%
45-59 (30%) 51% +2 48% 0%
60 and Older (24%) 54% +7 46% 0% http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/US/P/00/epolls.0.html 86
. :Against Me! - Sink Florida Sink : .
A TOP - ADR... - Against Me! Lyrics - Sink Florida Sink Lyrics
Not one more word tonight, between here and there, we'll put a distance the size of the ocean so now this heart can beat a skipping rhythm. As the cadence carries me i almost drift away far enough to forget that when it comes you cannot hesitate. And when found i will write an account and seal it in an envelope addressed to your last known residence. Ohh...(x17 oh) and we sink, and we drown, and what is lost can never be found, well these arms did swim until the lungs pulled in, the panic was lost in a deep understanding that you will see what is wrong with everything, what is wrong with you and me, they make all the right reasons to fuck it up, you're gonna fuck it up. Ohhh..(x17 oh)
Copyright © TSRocks 87
Offspring - Baghdad Lyrics
In your plane in the blue sky You roam around Worlds that echo in your mind Make your heart beat faster
'This is no Vietnam We will win in Iraq'
The president said, 'Let it ride' Islam be damned Make your last stand In Baghdad
Warrior, the time bomb's about to go What will you feel Will you even wonder If the man that's in your sights Ever kissed his girlfriend good-bye The Captain said, 'Kill or die' Islam be damned Make your last stand In Baghdad
Great satan, our flags are burning Now America has found its young men In the sand Where their casualty Is just another number In Iraq
The president said, 'Let it ride' You will be damned Make your last stand In Baghdad In Baghdad In Baghdad
Copyright © TSRocks 88
Give It All Lyrics Artist(Band):Rise Against
Break through the undertow, your hands I can't seem to find, Pollution burns my tongue, cough words I can't speak so I
Stop my struggling, then I float to the surface, Fill my lungs with air, then let it out
I give it all, this is the reason why I sing, So give it all, 'cause it's these reasons that belong to me
Rock bottoms where we live, and still we dig these trenches, Bury ourselves in them, backs breaking under tension
For far too long these voices, muffled by distances, It's time to come to our senses, up from the dark
We give it all, This is the reason why I sing, So give it all, and it's these reasons that belong to me
Breathe (breathe), the air we give (give), the life we live (live), Our voices racing distances (breathe), So wet my tongue (give), break into song (live), through seas of competition
So please believe your eyes, a sacrifice, It's not what we had in our minds, I'm coming home tonight, home tonight
We give it all, this is the reason why I sing, So give it all, and it's these reasons that belong to me
Today I offer all myself to this, I'm living for my dying wish, I give it all, now there's a reason, there's a reason, to give it all.
Copyright © TSRocks 89
LION AND THE LAMB
I've never been One for war Sand were sinkin in as thick as oil
Lion and the lamb there all gone there all gone slaughter the lion and the lamb for our home for our home ive never been one for war sand were sinkin in as thick as oil lion and the lamb there all gone there all gone slaughter the lion and the lamb for our home for our home what have what have what have become what have what have what have become of lion and the lamb there all gone there all gone slaughter the lion and the lamb for our home for our home the lion and the lamb there all gone there all gone slaughter the lion and the lamb for our home for our home Copyright © TSRocks 90
Sum 41 - Moron
It’s hard enough to even fake a smile This solution, I’m in denial There’s something missing ‘cause I can’t feel a thing I’m desensitize
You can fake this and I can’t take anymore I’m not so dumb I can’t ignore You can fake this and I can’t take anymore I’m not so dumb I can’t ignore Anymore
All this confusion is running deep inside my head How long can I keep this up before I end up dead
I can’t believe it, it could come to this It’s only feelings so I can’t resist I’m falling deeper in denial but I still try to Believe in something
You can fake this and I can’t take anymore I’m not so dumb I can’t ignore You can fake this and I can’t take anymore I’m not so dumb I can’t ignore Anymore, anymore, anymore, anymore
Copyright © TSRocks 91
STRUNG OUT LYRICS
"No Voice Of Mine" the wind is shifting, somethings different in the air. I see it in the form of choices every where and I've been asleep a lifetime just to wake in time to find... the voice that has been speaking for me is no voice of mine! NOW YOU'VE JUST BEEN SPOKEN FOR ! NOW YOU'VE JUST BEEN SOLD ! my eyes fixated on the life I left behind, a puppet dreams of being human every time that a string gets pulled before you know, your dancin' to the lie of someone elses vision of the perfect waisted life...... its in the way we never seem to get it right ! a systematic form of bowin down and under, and all we know is what we are, without the faith in WHO WE ARE soo desperate...... somethin' here has gotta give and my instincts fill me with this dread, that I've become what I'm tryin' to kill, that my appetite is my free will...... THERE IS NO RIGHT, THERE IS NO WRONG, THERE IS ONLY THAT IS FOREVER GONE!
Copyright © TSRocks 92
Revolution lyrics by AUTHORITY ZERO
Look at the blueprints as they disappear Cause of the blank space filled with all our fears To make a move could be devastation To take a chance is a way to face them Make it a choice to take a different road
You wanna revolution? (YEAH) You gotta make a difference on your own Wanna revolution?(YEAH) Stand up Stand out and make it known[2x]
A new state renovation A new day brings you to the nation These days another way to replay No replay I think I'm better this way Times up and can I say thats ok Too late I shoulda coulda maybe Why wait But in the end it could be my last big mistake
You want a revolution?(YEAH) You gotta make a difference on your own Wanna revolution?(YEAH) Stand up Stand out and make it known[2x]
Face first New days Choices We Made
Face first New days The choices we made!
Face first Our ability to choose I make a change Insteada saying that its just fine Time to open up and time to realize You can make a differnce if you try 93
You want a revolution?(YEAH) You gotta make a difference on your own Wanna revolution?(YEAH) Stand up Stand out and make it known
Copyright © TSRocks http://www.tsrocks.com/a/authority_zero_texts/revolution.htmlhttp://u8717.22.spylog .com/cnt?cid=871722&f=3&p=0&rn=0.37259971878228093 94
ANTI-FLAG - The School Of Assassins
1, 2, 3, 4!
Has your life got you down? Are you feeling lost and blue? I’m thinking maybe a career change is the best answer for you. You’ve never lived, never known true romance, Till you've been taught the steps to the death dance. Fort Benning, Georgia's gonna teach you how to move!
Take our rights back! Stand up for Liberty! This is the era when we give the world a better way. Take our rights back! Shut down the SOA! This is the era when we give the world a better way.
Torture, rape, murder and death are all waiting for you; Democracy subversion, well, they got that covered too. The grad names on their walls, most infamous of all dictators/coup learders Learn well, someday you may be ranked with these awesome k-k-k-k-killers!
Take our rights back! Stand up for Liberty! This is the era when we give the world a better way. Take our rights back! Shut down the SOA! This is the era when we give the world a better way.
Take our rights back! Stand up for Liberty! This is the era when we give the world a better way. Take our rights back! Shut down the SOA! The setting son can burn a brilliant vibrant flame.
[Spoken Word by Father Roy Bourgeois] 95
We can see our country at work in Latin America, on the side of the men with the guns, the sweatshops, the IMF of the World Bank.
They’re selling war as peace STRIKE! Doing it in our name STRIKE! STRIKE BACK! Tax dollars fund the war machine STRIKE! The people can’t live in its flames STRIKE! STRIKE BACK!
[Spoken Word Continued] We are on the side of the poor; on the side of life and hope and nonviolence...
AHHHHH!
Take our rights back! Stand up for Liberty! This is the era when we give the world a better way. Take our rights back! Shut down the SOA! The setting son can burn a brilliant vibrant flame!
Vibrant flame!
Copyright © TSRocks 96
To The World lyrics by STRIKE ANYWHERE
Look how the ruts cling to my footsteps the fatal invisible tool by which we define we fight! for our approval and fear our removal from the safety of fools from the tidal forces of our positions not won not one! to take for granted are our rebel hymns in canted to sing in the mines for the fortunate sons? So brothers in spirit sisters in rage, will we live out our lives in this concrete cage? another heartbeat lost another police murder buried in the public eyes on the back page. Heartbeats lost in a new world order hobbled and bound but still walking away I pledge allegiance to the world nothing more, nothing less than my humanity I pledge allegiance to the world searching for vision not invisibility I pledge allegiance to the world searching for vision not invisibility I pledge allegiance to the world until the last lock breaks none of us are free none of us are free... we fight to balance our minds petty powers pushing profits over our lifetimes world leaders mortaging our lives with words I don't need to be reminded of whom you really serve. Brothers in spirit, sisters in rage, will we live out or lives in this concrete cage? another hearbeat lost another police murder buried in the public eyes on the back page. (Too many) heartbeats lost in the new world order while we're standing alone with our backs to the maze I pledge allegiance to the world nothing more, nothing less than my humanity I pledge allegiance to the world until the last lock breaks none of us are free I pledge allegiance to the world until the last lock breaks none of us are free I pledge allegiance to the world for nothing more, nothing less 97
in justice in hunger united searching for vision united in justice in hunger united law and order but for whose order? I pledge allegiance to the world nothing more, nothing less than my humanity I pledge allegiance to the world until the last lock breaks none of us are free I pledge allegiance to the world under no nation will we ever be I pledge allegiance to the world for nothing more, nothing less than my humanity, than my humanity, than my humanity (pledge allegiance!) to our humanity, to our humanity, to our humanity (to the world!)
Copyright © TSRocks http://www.tsrocks.com/s/strike_anywhere_texts/to_the_world.htmlhttp://u8717.22.s pylog.com/cnt?cid=871722&f=3&p=0&rn=0.8169756498747448 98
WARBRAIN BY ALKALINE TRIO
I can't go on You said my head's too heavy I need that song those trusty chords could pull me through and early on they saw the warning signs and symptoms all day long we sit and dream of better days where we'd hit the ground running on empty stories we've been told and all those nights we spent together never felt this fucking cold when we let the car run in the driveway kiss you one last time before we brought the horse's in before the storm of '59'! of 59' [x2] i cant go on these limbs have grown to heavy i need that song a night on earth could pull me through and early on they saw the warning signs and symptoms all day long wonder how far from here we'll fall before we hit the ground running on empty stories we've been told and all those nights we spent together never felt this fucking cold when we let the car run in the driveway kiss you one last time before we brought the horse's in before the storm of '59'! of 59' [x4]
Copyright © TSRocks