Foo Fighters - The Pretender

I decided to switch it up a bit in this post. As most of you probably expected me to do another post on hip hop or rap. I listen to most types of music, and i'm sure this post will confirm that. The song is called "The Pretender", and it was the first single off of the Foo Fighters 2007 Album. The name of the album is called "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace". This song is definitely up there in my list of favorite songs. Not only for its upbeat tempo and amazing instrumentation, but also for its deep lyrical content. There is a deeper meaning to this song, that the average person might not recognize by just listening to it.

 Me being the conspiracy enthusiast that I am, I could easily sense the deficiency in this song. Even the title itself, "The Pretender" gives a big hint as to what the subject matter is. When I read the title, I think of someone who is not themselves or is pretending. This is exactly what the song is about. "That's the nice thing with lyrics, you never really want to give away specifics, because its nice for people to have their own idea or interpretation of the song". Says Dave Grohl, the lead singer for the Foo fighters in a 2007 interview. This is my interpretation of the moving song. "What if I say i'm not like the others, what if I say i'm not just another one of your plays, your the pretender, what if I say that I'll never surrender". I immediately think of the whole "illuminati" conspiracy when I hear this chorus.

The Illuminati is a conspiracy that has been erupting all over the internet and media for the past couple of years. Basically saying that most if not all entertainers, such as musicians, actors, and athletes, sell their souls in order to receive success or all that they have now. In this conspiracy, the "illuminati" controls all aspects of the entertainment industry and the government. Its supposed to be a secret society, but I guess its not much of a secret now. Dave Grohl is pretty describing how the Foo Fighters are original and will never fall victim to the puppetry that occurs in mainstream music. When he says hes not just another one of your plays he means that they're not just another one of these random artists that the industry and "illuminati" can control. He calls us the pretender, because we are the ones being brainwashed without even noticing it. We "pretend" nothing is wrong, but deep down inside we know there is something fishy going on here. Why is it that all mainstream music now a days has a simple and materialistic subject matter? Its simply because the higher society realizes that the majority of people that listen to the mainstream music dont really care for meaningful lyrics anymore. Its more about what sounds good and makes you dance.

Finally Dave Grohl ends the chorus by saying "what if I say that ill never surrender". Originality is one of the main catalyst that boosted the Foo Fighters to success. So its evident that they will never give in and become unoriginal. If that makes sense? They want to have control over everything they do. If you watch the video for the song, it puts together all the missing pieces. Everything you heard, is painted in a vivid picture through the video.


Research on The Pretender Lyrics

A$AP Rocky - Suddenly

This has got to be one of my favorite songs off of A$AP Rocky's new album, "LONG.LIVE.A$AP". The track is called "Suddenly", and it describes the rags to riches story that he's been through to get to where he is now. Rocky basically gives the listener insight on what life is like as a young kid growing up in Harlem New York. I guess its safe to say that it wasn't the best life, but he embraces every bit of it. Especially in this one line where he says, "Roaches on the walls, roaches on the dresser. Everybody had roaches but our roaches ain't respect us." A$AP Rocky grew up very poor, and at times was homeless. But when he did have a place to live, it'd be completely covered in roaches. Which correlates to the line about roaches on the walls and dressers. A roach is a slang term used to describe a blunt. Which is why they'd be on his dresser. And he says "everybody had roaches but our roaches ain't respect us" meaning that everybody in his hood had roaches, but not as bad as him.

Not only is this track about the bad times hes had, but it also includes good times. "I had good times, its life! Everybody has ups and downs." Says A$AP Rocky in a recent interview. "On the park bench playing checkers, sipping nectar." This line creates an image of Rocky and his closest friends in the neighborhood park just chillin'. Well it does for me at least. "We had cookouts and dirt bikes and dice games and fist fights" These were the typical activities Rocky would partake in growing up. Generally thought of as fun and just something to do.

A$AP Rocky is not just a rapper or fashion enthusiast. He is also somewhat of an activist. Bringing people together of all races and backgrounds is one of his main goals. " I wanna bring different colors, different races, I do." words from A$AP Rock in a recent interview. Discrimination is one thing he does not stand for, because hes been discriminated on, himself. "You my brother, you my kin, f*** the color of your skin." This line is pretty much confirming Rocky's stand on racism. No matter the color of your skin he considers you his family and will show you love like he would his own brother. Which is one of the reasons why hes pretty much had success so quickly and has a wide and diverse fan base. His music is for the masses and not just a certain group of people. "I just want to promote peace, prosperity, and positivity." 

Source: A$AP Rocky Interview (2013)  

Link to Video: Suddenly