War Song: Instrumental or Emotional?

O.A.R: War Song
Released on July 15, 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZDHZnvJZFc&feature=player_embedded

http://openupyourarms.org//needs_to.php

According to this website by signing the pledge we can help the soldiers feel more welcome when coming back by giving them:
• Access to top-notch health care
• a chance to pursue a quality education on the new GI Bill
• a fair chance at a good job


There goal is to get 111,111 signatures by September 11, 2011.

This video was posted on YouTube by The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) to spread awareness about our troops and future heroes. These people are fighting and protecting our country for our futures and we should respect them and support them for their precious lives and time. These people should be able to come back to America and be supported by the citizens and the society. Many people come back with mental disorders and with PTSD, which is very common in wars period. This pledge to sign is to make sure that these warriors get their rights and are taken care of for the rest of their lives. This video was made by O.A.R. to point out the impact that we can have on America and our Veterans and show the effect that war has on the one percent of people in America that go to war. That is equivalent to about 1.8 million people since September 11.
The first time that I listened to this song, I was thinking to myself, what is this about? Then I looked down at the track name and said to myself that makes so much sense. This song was awesome because it changes the speed and pitch when it gets to points in the song that are saying in going to be fine and the idea of love being left behind. The effect that war may have on you; wondering are you going to be alone at the end of the day or should you keep hope of living and returning to America. This song ends in a good tone to reassure people that they will be fine, but connects to this pledge so easily.
I had heard this song long before I saw this video online and I had no idea about this group of people to support the troops. I knew about the Veteran Affairs and their dealings and their recent decline in money for Veterans. Although I have never personally been to war or have had a family member go to the Iraqi War, I feel a connection to this pledge. My father was a Veteran in the Vietnam War and he struggles with PTSD to this day. His life is not the same as it was before war. He is receiving benefits at this time, but he isn’t sure how long he will be able to receive these benefits due to the change in the G.I. bill. This comes off to me as instrumental art because it is trying to change the way that people look at war and the money that they spend. The song is made from the words that have been voiced from soldiers that are in the Iraq war right now. That is one of the big reasons that I find it to be art. O.A.R. went overseas to make this song and came back with a song that shows the emotions within the concept of war. This could also be emotionalist because it gives me an emotional feeling when I listen to it. The rhythm and the changes in speed change the mood of the listener. I definitely think that the visual aids in the meaning that is being put across about the impact that war has on the soldiers and how we can welcome soldiers back with open arms.
Does this get the point across to you even if you don’t have a personal connection or do you think you need that personal connection with war in order to understand the meaning of the words in the song?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Oh my God, tell me this won't last forever
Tell me that I'm not alone
Tell me this will come together now

Packed my thing up just the other day
Said my goodbyes to all these things I've saved
Out in the driveway, we laugh under the moon
Among my friends for now, but I'll be leaving soon

Many days from now, I'm sure
I'll be back among your graces
And with you I won't pretend
No, not at all

Crack the morning
Up and running quick
No sleep again last night but that's the way it is
Out in the open under broken skies
I feel every footstep
I see everybody's eyes
Oh and this is summer in another world
Far from the driveway and my baby girl
Soon comes the winter
With it quiet nights
Darker days and darker fights

But many days from now, I'm sure
I'll be back among your faces
And with you I won't pretend
No, not at all

Oh the fever is burning
Over at midnight but never like this
Hot under their fire
The stars are all falling but never like this
I hope you never see this

Wait, wait for my love
Don't forget me, never let me go
If you wait, wait for my love
I'll remember, never let you go
Until I'm fine, fine, fine
Until I'm fine, fine, fine

To be back in my room
I have the same dream every night
Just me among my things
No one else is there
There's no one left to fight
Just me among my things

Many nights from now, I know
I'll be back among your graces
Until then I'll just pretend
That I'm not cold

Oh my God, tell me this won't last forever
Tell me that I'm not alone
Tell me this will come together
Oh my God, you know

Wait, wait for my love
Don't forget me, never let me down
And just wait, wait for my love
I'll remember, every one of you
Just wait, wait for my love
Until I'm fine, fine, fine
Until I'm fine, fine, fine
I'll be fine, fine, fine
I'll be fine, fine, fine
Works Cited:
"What Needs To Happen - IAVA." IAVA. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2009. http://openupyourarms.org//needs_to.php