Helpless

Today's youth is utterly helpless. Every day we are fed a slew of mass media which so readily informs us of terrible on goings in the world. One would think that it is good to be conscious of current events. But with so much power given to the media, they tend to trample us with information, most of which concerns bad news. It reaches a point where one becomes desensitized. The youth is not clueless. In fact, we know too much. We are aware that we are powerless and there is little to nothing we can do about. So instead, we just find ways to forget, like booze and drugs. Theres no mass youth movement going on, but there are a lot of kids getting fucked up behind societies back. What are we supposed to do, go on a rampaging protest? Yea sure! Except for the fact that youth today simply connects successful rebellion with the 60's, and to us that's old people stuff. Our rebellion is more of the failing type. The "I couldn't care less" type. I went to a protest lately. Sadly I got more satisfaction out of screaming and acting obnoxious then I did fighting for something that is right in my mind. Why? Because I've been led to believe that in this corrupt world I don't have the power to make such a difference simply by standing up for my beliefs. Big Brother will always have one up on me and the rest of the world's youth no matter what we do. We are helpless.

Examining Hendrix's Star Spangled Banner

In the year of 1969, the most legendary of all music festivals occurred, Woodstock. A three day long festival, the final act was guitar god Jimi Hendrix. During his set he performed "The Star Spangled Banner" which would become arguably Woodstock's most memorable moment. In the year of 1969, social up-heavles were occurring in America like never before. The concept of what true patriotism embodied was being challenged immensely by new counter cultures. Hendrix's rendition of the "The National Anthem" was a testament to this change.

Below I have examined Hendrix's interpretation of the lyrics and melody. Lyrics are shown in white font. Commentary is shown in red. I suggest listening to the performance if available.

(The song begins valiantly with the fans holding their hands in the air. Hendrix smiles and flashes a peace sign.)
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, 

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight, 

(Hendrix begins straying away from the original melody with improvisation at "perilous flight.")
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, (At ramparts he holds the note in an ugly sustain.) were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, (After "rockets' red glare" Hendrix goes into a furry of distortion, perhaps symbolizing both the terrifying and destructive characteristics of war.") the bombs bursting in air, (Hendrix does the same after bombs bursting in air.")

Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave (The music comes to a halt after the question "O say does that star spangled banner yet wave", as if to provide a space of silence for an answer. Hendrix then comes back in with a roaring finale in which he emphasizes the word free and brave in the closing line of the song.)

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?