Pink Floyd’s brilliant breakdown of the capitalist system is portrayed through a masterful allusion to animals. In specific, Sheep focuses on the lower class majority of the system.  All of us average citizens fall into this category. Described innocently as “Harmlessly passing your time in the grassland away” we get a sense of ignorant bliss found within these “sheep.” It is important to note, that dogs in the album represent the cutthroat under achieving “pigs.” They are aware of the powers in control, and act in hopes of becoming that powerful entity. Pigs are the extremely wealthy and powerful men. They have control of the masses through their great economic understanding and strength.

                The Sheep are “only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air” referring to their lack of comprehension of their true standing in the “food chain,” or in human perspective societal power. Many lines allude to the idea of the masses being able to control their own course once they can realize what it is that controls them. “What do you get for pretending the danger’s not real/ Meek and obedient you follow the leader” Still oblivious, it takes tragedy for the sheep to realize their position in the grand scheme of things.

                Although it is a lengthy quote, the following lines are key in showing the revelation with in the masses. “The lord is my shepherd, I shall not want/ he makes me down to lie/ through pastures green he leadeth me the silent waters by/ with bright knives he released me soul/ he maketh me to hang on hooks in high places/ he coverteth me to lamb cutlets/ for lo, he hath great power and great power and great hunger/ When cometh the day we lowly ones/ through quiet reflection and great dedication/ master the art of karate/ lo, we shall rise up/ and then we’ll make the bugger’s eyes water.”

                The ignorant blissful lifestyle of the sheep has led them to be abused and exploited for all their worth. By identifying the common distress, the majority “bleating and babbling… fell on his neck with a scream/ wave upon wave of demented avengers/ march cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream”  And so, in the end it is up to the many, not the few, to ultimately decide the fate.

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/pinkfloyd/sheep.html

Snow

Uplifting and harmonic, “Snow” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers displays many examples of well-crafted metaphors, vague allusion, and specific rhythmic tone to pressure listeners to overcome adversity.

The Chili Peppers are known for their highly metaphoric lyrics, and “Snow” certainly is no exception. “Come to decide that the things that I tried/ were in my life just to get high on”, now these lines are not that complicated, but are clutch in the understanding of the song’s deeper meaning. The speaker is suggesting that the important things in his life had been “just to get high on.” When taking into consideration the name of the song, and other lyrics “where it’s so white as snow” allude to cocaine in my opinion.

Now that the underlying problem is presented, we can dig into the more profound expression of overcoming adversity. By saying “Step from the road to the sea to the sky” shows the progression of more symbolic improvement. There is a sort of enchantment surrounding the sea, and sky when compared to a road. It shows an attitude to strive for better, and to improve; take things to the next level.

“When will I know that I really can’t go/ to the well once more time to decide on/ when it’s killing me, when will I really see/ all that I need to look inside?” These lines are representative of the speakers self doubt and struggle with what they believed was responsible for their happiness. It is quite cliché to say, but happiness can be found when one looks within themselves, and these lines most definitely side with said statement.