I recently bought a CD by the band Coldplay-- a feat in itself because I hardly, if ever, buy Cds. I opened up the CD case while listening to the new CD and took out the booklet, intent on finding the lyrics to the song I was listening to. Surprise, surprise, yet another CD with random pictures of the band and no lyrics. However, something interesting caught my eye. Under the word “Politik” (a song name) was the message I’ve quoted below.
Suddenly some of the music was making a little more sense. Coldplay seems to be one of those bands with progressive themes in their music (you may even expect one of their songs analyzed in a future blog in my “Progressive Song List” series).
I think it was an incredibly smart idea to enclose this message about fair trade in the CD case. For one thing, it’s reaching the listeners of this band. Some fans are apt to do just about anything their heroes ask of them, and at least it’s something positive.
Now I’ll give you a chance to read what I found, and then I’ll continue with my comments.
“For countries to develop or even survive they need to be able to trade fairly. At the moment poorer countries are strangled by ridiculous international trade laws and ruthless western businesses, keeping millions trapped in poverty and widening the gap between rich and poor.
There is no reason why this issue should not be addressed. You can find out more, and join the campaign for fairer trade, by going to:
Some businesses already produce ‘fair trade’ products, and supporting these can only help put more pressure on less conscientious companies to re-think their standards.
Here are some other interesting addresses:
Thanks for listening.”
Now having shared that positive message with you all, I’d like to bring up a random comment of my own. Fair trade is about trading with other countries of the world. In other words, helping support farmers who usually wouldn’t get as large a cut in the sales as usual. This reminds me of local dairy farmers in my area, who can hardly afford to continue their business because milk prices aren’t benefiting them.
Here I come to the issue: Should we be more worried about issues abroad, or in our very own backyards? I see the farmers struggling to make ends meet, and they are the ones who feed us. In fact, the U.S. produces so much food that it’s sold to other countries. There is no question that we’re in an economic crunch right now, and money is desperately needed by more than just the farmers.
Local or abroad? What’s your choice? Personally, I think we should focus our efforts more on in-country businesses to help stimulate the economy, but I am also a firm believer that helping others can eventually help yourself. I say if you choose to buy from fair trade, that’s great for you. The stuff is a little more expensive, but you’ll have a clear concience. This is one issue I straddle the fence on. If I can buy fair trade, I think I’ll make the effort to. I’ll check out the same sites I’ve listed above and see what I can do, but we poor college students can only do so much you know.
About the local thing...
If it makes you feel better, most of Fair Trade Certified products are things like coffee and cocoa--things not really grown in the US. The US has local farmers markets, but I wish there was something like Fair Trade as well.
If you're looking for more music with progressive or political messages, some other artists you may be interested in are John Vanderslice and Ted Leo and the Pharmacists.
Read my Blogs!
This is Why I'm Hot
And My Other Blogs
Yeah, we've got farmers markets around where I live. I feel so warm and fuzzy buying from locals rather than the supermarket. It'd be nice to have local fair trade.
Thanks for the recommendations. I usually recommend things by the song, so I probably couldn't think of bands that I'd consider progressive. Nickleback and Train have both had progressive songs, but the bands as a whole maybe not so much.
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
Im not big on Coldplay but i do like music with insightful messages
(modest mouse is fun)
I will check out the websites
and see whats up wit dat stuff!
I would give you a list of songs i think is progressive but i am way to hyper and it can not be wasted on looking through my like 2986 songs (yes i just saw that number and it's real). I like sublime and where can i find your other.... ummm song blogy things (i wanted to start something like that but it would be nice to see how others go about it.)
Saint O Nothin' Says
Always go FORWARD, going straight will get you no where!
-Greenday "Jaded"
my iTunes says I have 4707 songs in my library... and I still have around 20 albums I haven't added yet. :-P
The sad part is, I listen to all of it, know exactly what all I have, and look for specific bands and songs to listen to frequently.
Read my Blogs!
The Sex Change: A Nursing School Story
OH just go and one up me
yeah well... my music is cooler
The Shins, Sublime, AC/DC, Modest Mouse, STREETLIGHT MANIFESTO, Reel Big Fish, Marley, Ol' Blue Eyes, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Burning Spear,and more!
:-p TAKE THAT oh and greenday
Saint O Nothin' Says
Always go FORWARD, going straight will get you no where!
-Greenday "Jaded"
I should warn you that I am an elitist snob--and not just in regards to coffee.
Your music is mainstream and mediocre (though I do like the Shins). :-P
I've got the Album Leaf, The Akron Family. Amy Milan, Emily Haines and the Soft Skeletons, Feist, New Pornographers, Prefuse 73, Battles, the Books, Stars, The National, Neko Case, John Vanderslice, Rocky Votolato, Deer Tick, the 1900s, Swell Season... oh the list goes on and on and on... :-P
And what am I listening to now? None of it. I'm streaming Milwaukee Public Radio. :-P
Read my Blogs!
The Sex Change: A Nursing School Story
Sorry, but you are now one of my heros (teach me the ways of the SNOB MUSIC lol)
you referred to most Ska as main stream
by the way listened to Ted Leo and the Pharmacists awesome
and i have the New Pornographers, so what you listen to errrr.. what genre would you include that in
Do you like nerdcore.
and though half of my music is main stream, not all of it
Bob Marley might be just a thing, but i do enjoy my share of reggae hice Burning Spear, no preppy main stream teenager listens to burning spear. And Sublime is amazing no matter what you say. Also the fact that i still stand by Greenday after there unbearable "American Idiot"proves not mainstream
do you listen to Kimya Dawson, moldy Peaches, the Unicorns, the Flaming Lips, Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution (BotAR)
and yes i am just asking questions to look cooler ;-p)
Saint O Nothin' Says
Always go FORWARD, going straight will get you no where!
-Greenday "Jaded"
I would put the New Pornographers into the Indie Pop category. And I sometimes listen to the Flaming Lips.
Nerdcore is not something that generally interests me but, if someone is playing it, I will listen to and sometimes enjoy it. Hip hop is generally not my favorite category... but when the lyrics are about Star Wars and robots and include the word "frak," then my interest goes up a little. ;-)
I have never really liked Green Day. Not even before the fame. Kind of sad.
Read my Blogs!
The Sex Change: A Nursing School Story
Indie pop is a little general dontcha think... and "My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion" is one of the greatest songs ever. By the way i would have kept Madonna a secret. How about the Unicorns, i just got into them, they are like a more f**k up version of the Shins. How about Ima Robot it is more punk-sh than The Flaming Lips. If the Flaming Lips were on acid and still teenagers they would be Ima Robot.
If you don't like Greenday does that mean you don't like Blink-182 or Sum-41, they are litlle more "Im so screwed up, i want to hump something."
but yeah
Saint O Nothin' Says
Always go FORWARD, going straight will get you no where!
-Greenday "Jaded"
I don't think Indie Pop is too generalized. I guess powerpop might be more specific. Or maybe I could just call them Canadian. Canada seems to produce a lot of good music. :-P
I haven't really ever listened to Unicorns, Ima Robot, Sum-41, or Blink-182. Sorry :-/
Read my Blogs!
The Sex Change: A Nursing School Story
I wish i was canadian
that or Italian
but no
mexican/irish
[-(
Saint O Nothin' Says
Always go FORWARD, going straight will get you no where!
-Greenday "Jaded"
Great blog.....
It is said,
Serpents Egg – The Host of Seraphim