The American Dream in Music

• Terrell Brown

This is the DedicationThis is the Dedication

I would like to dedicate this to my I would like to dedicate this to my God, my mama, and my brothers God, my mama, and my brothers

and sisters.and sisters.

Index PageIndex Page SongSong It takes twoIt takes two Chim Chim-in-eyChim Chim-in-ey Black manBlack man Seeing is believingSeeing is believing Black or WhiteBlack or White Public Enemy No.1Public Enemy No.1 Hard Knock LifeHard Knock Life Brenda’s Got A BabyBrenda’s Got A Baby Hate It or Love ItHate It or Love It Georgia…Georgia… BushBush

PagePage 44 55 66 77 88 99 1010 1111 1212 1313

It takes two It takes two [Her:] One can have a dream, baby[Her:] One can have a dream, baby

[Him:] Two can make that dream so real[Him:] Two can make that dream so real[Her:] One can talk about bein' in love[Her:] One can talk about bein' in love[Him:] Two can say how it really feels[Him:] Two can say how it really feels[Her:] One can wish upon a star[Her:] One can wish upon a star[Him:] Two can make that wish come true, yeah[Him:] Two can make that wish come true, yeah[Her:] One can stand alone in the dark[Her:] One can stand alone in the dark[Him:] Two can make the light shine through[Him:] Two can make the light shine through

[Chorus (Both):][Chorus (Both):]It takes two, babyIt takes two, babyIt takes two, babyIt takes two, babyMe and you, just takes twoMe and you, just takes twoIt takes two, babyIt takes two, babyIt takes two, babyIt takes two, babyTo make a dream come true, just takes twoTo make a dream come true, just takes two

[Her:] One can have a broken heart, livin' in misery[Her:] One can have a broken heart, livin' in misery[Him:] Two can really ease the pain like a perfect remedy[Him:] Two can really ease the pain like a perfect remedy[Her:] One can be alone in a car, on a night like these all alone[Her:] One can be alone in a car, on a night like these all alone[Him:] Two can make just any place seem just like bein' at [Him:] Two can make just any place seem just like bein' at homehome

[Chorus][Chorus][Instrumental][Instrumental]

Just takes two, just takes twoJust takes two, just takes two

[Her:] One can go out to a movie, lookin' for a special treat[Her:] One can go out to a movie, lookin' for a special treat[Him:] Two can make that single movie somethin' really kinda [Him:] Two can make that single movie somethin' really kinda sweetsweet[Her:] One can take a walk in the moonlight, thinkin' that it's [Her:] One can take a walk in the moonlight, thinkin' that it's really nicereally nice[Him:] But two walkin' hand-in-hand is like addin' just a pinch of [Him:] But two walkin' hand-in-hand is like addin' just a pinch of spicespice

Marvin GayeMarvin Gaye This song is about doing stuff This song is about doing stuff

together and not being alone.together and not being alone. It reflects my view of the It reflects my view of the

American dream because American dream because nobody wants to be alone as nobody wants to be alone as much as they act like it.much as they act like it.

It makes me feel like I need a It makes me feel like I need a girlfriend or something.girlfriend or something.

Chim Chim-in-ey

Chorus:Chim chim-in-ey, chim chim-in-eyChim chim cher-ee!A sweep is as lucky, as lucky can beChim chim-in-ey, chim chim-in-eyChim chim cher-oo!Good luck will rub off when I shakes 'ands with you

Or blow me a kiss and that's lucky too Now, as the ladder of life 'as been strung

You might think a sweep's on the bottommost rungThough I spends me time in the ashes and smokeIn this 'ole wide world there's no 'appier bloke

Chim chim-in-ey, chim chim-in-eyChim chim cher-ee!A sweep is as lucky, as lucky can beChim chim-in-ey, chim chim-in-eyChim chim cher-oo!Good luck will rub off when I shakes 'ands with you

Chorus I choose me bristles with pride, yes, I do

A broom for the shaft and a brush for the fluteUp where the smoke is all billered and curled'Tween pavement and stars is the chimney sweep worldWhen there's 'ardly no day nor 'ardly no night There's things 'alf in shadow and 'alfway in light On the rooftops of London coo, what a sight! Chim chim-in-ey, chim chim-in-ey Chim chim cher-ee!When you're with a sweep you're in glad companyNowhere is there a more 'appier crewThan them wot sings, "Chim chim cher-ee, chim cher-oo!"On the Chim chim-in-ey, chim chim cher-ee, chim cher-oo.

 

By Julia Andrews It’s about being happy and passing it

on. It’s saying good luck rubs off. Because most of the time when one

person is happy they make everybody around them happy.

I really don’t feel nothing but I see what it’s saying though.

Black manBlack man First man to dieFirst man to die

For the flag we now hold high (Crispus Attucks)For the flag we now hold high (Crispus Attucks)Was a black man Was a black man

The ground were we standThe ground were we standWith the flag held in our handWith the flag held in our handWas first the redman's Was first the redman's

Guide of a shipGuide of a shipOn the first Columbus trip (Pedro Alonzo Nino)On the first Columbus trip (Pedro Alonzo Nino)Was a brown man Was a brown man

The railroads for trainsThe railroads for trainsCame on tracking that was laidCame on tracking that was laidBy the yellow man By the yellow man

We pledge allegianceWe pledge allegianceAll our livesAll our livesTo the magic colorsTo the magic colorsRed, blue and whiteRed, blue and whiteBut we all must be givenBut we all must be givenThe liberty that we defendThe liberty that we defendFor with justice not for all menFor with justice not for all menHistory will repeat againHistory will repeat againIt's time we learnedIt's time we learnedThis World Was Made For All Men This World Was Made For All Men

Heart surgeryHeart surgeryWas first done successfullyWas first done successfullyBy a black man (Dr Daniel Hale Williams) By a black man (Dr Daniel Hale Williams)

Friendly man who diedFriendly man who diedBut helped the pilgrims to survive (Squanto)But helped the pilgrims to survive (Squanto)Was a redman Was a redman

Farm workers rightsFarm workers rightsWere lifted to new heights (Caesar Chavez)Were lifted to new heights (Caesar Chavez)By a brown man By a brown man

Incandescent lightIncandescent lightWas invented to give sight (Thomas Edison)Was invented to give sight (Thomas Edison)By the white man By the white man

Stevie WonderStevie Wonder It’s about how black men It’s about how black men

are mistreated in America are mistreated in America and never get credit.and never get credit.

It reflects my view of the It reflects my view of the American dream because I American dream because I deal with the same issues deal with the same issues that he is talking about.that he is talking about.

It makes me feel like there It makes me feel like there is no hope. is no hope.

Seeing is BelievingSeeing is Believing

• Every time I see the sun riseEvery time I see the sun riseOr a mountain that's so highOr a mountain that's so highJust by seeing is believingJust by seeing is believingI don't need to question whyI don't need to question whyWhen I see a mighty oceanWhen I see a mighty oceanThat rushes to the shoreThat rushes to the shore

If I ever had cause to doubt HimIf I ever had cause to doubt HimI don't doubt Him anymoreI don't doubt Him anymoreOh seeing, seeing, seeing is Oh seeing, seeing, seeing is believingbelievingAnd I see him everywhereAnd I see him everywhereIn the mountains, in the valleyIn the mountains, in the valleyYes I know my God is thereYes I know my God is thereOh, in time I look above meOh, in time I look above meSee the stars that fill the skySee the stars that fill the skyHow could there be any questionHow could there be any questionOnly God can reach that highOnly God can reach that high

• Elvis PresleyElvis Presley• This song is about This song is about

believing is what you see.believing is what you see.• This song reflects my view This song reflects my view

of the American dream of the American dream because everybody because everybody believes in what they can believes in what they can seesee

• It makes me feel like in this It makes me feel like in this Country, if you see it you Country, if you see it you can have itcan have it

Black or White• I Took My Baby

On A Saturday BangBoy Is That Girl With YouYes We're One And The Same

Now I Believe In MiraclesAnd A MiracleHas Happened Tonight

But, IfYou're Thinkin'About My BabyIt Don't Matter If You'reBlack Or White

They Print My MessageIn The Saturday SunI Had To Tell ThemI Ain't Second To None

And I Told About EqualityAn It's TrueEither You're WrongOr You're Right

But, IfYou're Thinkin'About My BabyIt Don't Matter If You'reBlack Or White

• Michael Jackson• It’s saying it doesn’t matter

what color you are we all are equal

• If reflects how the world should be how people shouldn’t judge you by what color your skin is

• It makes me feel that the world is getting better as far as racism

Public Enemy No.1• You got no rap - but you want to battle

It's like havin' a boat - but you got no paddleCause I never pause - I say it becauseI don't break in stores - but I break all lawsWritten while sittin' - all fittin' not bittenGivin' me the juice that your not gettin'I'm not a law obeyer - so you can tell your mayorI'm a non-stop, rhythm rock poetry sayerI'm the rhyme player - the ozone layerA battle what? Here's a bible start your prayerThis word to the wise is justifiedIf they ask you what happened - just admit you liedYou just got caught a - for going out of orderAnd now you're serving' football teams their waterYou messed with the master, word to ChuckAnd I'll wax cold tax, made sure you got dome (?)You just got dissed - all but dismissedSucker duck emcees - you get me pissedIt's no fun - being on the runBecause they got me - Public Enemy number one

• Public Enemy• It how being a black male

makes you a target for the rest of the world

• It tells the way black males get treated in this country

• It makes me feel like I ain’t gone ever be free in this country

Hard Knock LifeHard Knock Life It's the hard knock life (uh-huh) for usIt's the hard knock life (uh-huh) for us

It's the hard knock life, for us!!It's the hard knock life, for us!!Steada Treated,we get trickedSteada Treated,we get trickedSteada kisses, we get kickedSteada kisses, we get kickedIt's the hard knock life!!It's the hard knock life!!

[Jay-Z][Jay-Z]From standin on the corners boppinFrom standin on the corners boppinto drivin some of the hottest cars New York has to drivin some of the hottest cars New York has ever seenever seenFor droppin some of the hottest verses rap has For droppin some of the hottest verses rap has ever heardever heardFrom the dope spot, with the smoke GlockFrom the dope spot, with the smoke Glockfleein the murder scene, you know me wellfleein the murder scene, you know me wellfrom nightmares of a lonely cell, my only hellfrom nightmares of a lonely cell, my only hellBut since when y'all niggaz know me to fail? Fuck But since when y'all niggaz know me to fail? Fuck nawnawWhere all my niggaz with the rubber grips, bust Where all my niggaz with the rubber grips, bust shotsshotsAnd if you with me mom I rub on your tits, and And if you with me mom I rub on your tits, and what-notwhat-notI'm from the school of the hard knocks, we must I'm from the school of the hard knocks, we must notnotlet outsiders violate our blocks, and my plotlet outsiders violate our blocks, and my plotlet's stick up the world and split it fifty/fifty, uh-let's stick up the world and split it fifty/fifty, uh-huhhuhLet's take the dough and stay real jiggy, uh-huhLet's take the dough and stay real jiggy, uh-huhAnd sip the Cris' and get pissy-pissyAnd sip the Cris' and get pissy-pissyFlow infinitely like the memory of my nigga Flow infinitely like the memory of my nigga Biggie, baby!Biggie, baby!You know it's hell when I come throughYou know it's hell when I come throughThe life and times of Shawn Carter The life and times of Shawn Carter nigga Volume 2, y'all niggaz get readynigga Volume 2, y'all niggaz get ready

Jay-ZJay-Z This song is about how it This song is about how it

is in the projects and the is in the projects and the poor parts of America and poor parts of America and how we get treatedhow we get treated

It reflects my view of the It reflects my view of the American dream because American dream because people living in these parts people living in these parts of the world dream of of the world dream of getting out to a better getting out to a better placeplace

It makes me feel like this It makes me feel like this country doesn’t care about country doesn’t care about its people (poor people).its people (poor people).

Brenda’s Got A Baby I hear Brenda's got a baby

But, Brenda's barely got a brainA damn shameTha girl can hardly spell her name(That's not our problem, that's up ta Brenda's family)Well let me show ya how it affects tha whole communityNow Brenda never really knew her moms and her dad was ajunkyWent in death to his arms, it's sadCause I bet Brenda doesn't even knowJust cause your in tha ghetto doesn't mean ya can't growBut oh, that's a thought, my own revelationDo whatever it takes ta resist tha temptationBrenda got herself a boyfriendHer boyfriend was her cousin, now lets watch tha joy endShe tried to hide her pregnancy, from her familyWho didn't really care to see, or give a damn if sheWent out and had a church of kidsAs long as when tha check came they got first dibsNow Brendas belly is gettin biggerBut no one seems ta notice any change in her figureShe's 12 years old and she's having a babyIn love with tha molester, whos sexin her crazyAnd yet she thinks that he'll be with her foreverAnd dreams of a world with tha two of them are together,whatever

Tupac This song is about a little girl

who is mistreated and gets pregnant at an early age

It reflects the American dream because this happens everyday all across America

This song makes me feel like we need to make a change and stop giving girls babies and leaving them

Hate It Or Love ItHate It Or Love It

Comin' up I was confused, my mama Comin' up I was confused, my mama kissin' a girlkissin' a girlConfusin' occurs, comin' up in the cold Confusin' occurs, comin' up in the cold worldworldDaddy ain't around, prolly out Daddy ain't around, prolly out committin' feloniescommittin' feloniesMy favorite rapper used to sing ch-My favorite rapper used to sing ch-check out my melodycheck out my melodyI wanna live good, so shit I sell dopeI wanna live good, so shit I sell dopeFor a fo' finger ring, one of them gold For a fo' finger ring, one of them gold ropesropesNanna told me if I pass I'll get a sheep Nanna told me if I pass I'll get a sheep skin coatskin coatIf I can move a few packs and get the If I can move a few packs and get the hat, now that'll be dopehat, now that'll be dopeTossed and turn in my sleep at nightTossed and turn in my sleep at nightWoke up the next mornin' niggas done Woke up the next mornin' niggas done stole my bikestole my bikeDifferent day, same shit, ain't nothin' Different day, same shit, ain't nothin' good in the hoodgood in the hoodI'd run away from this bitch and never I'd run away from this bitch and never come back if I couldcome back if I could

50 cent and The 50 cent and The GameGame

The song is about The song is about being the underdog being the underdog and coming out on and coming out on toptop

It reflects the It reflects the American dream American dream because every because every underdog dreams of underdog dreams of coming out on top coming out on top and he didand he did

I feel like I can come I feel like I can come up tooup too

Georgia… BushGeorgia… BushThis song is dedicated to the one wit the suitThis song is dedicated to the one wit the suitThick white skin and his eyes bright blueThick white skin and his eyes bright blueSo called beef wit you know whoSo called beef wit you know whoFuck it he just let him kill all of our troopsFuck it he just let him kill all of our troopsLook at the bullshit we been throughLook at the bullshit we been throughHad the niggas sitting on top they roofsHad the niggas sitting on top they roofsHurricane Katrina, we shoulda called it Hurricane Hurricane Katrina, we shoulda called it Hurricane (Geeoorrggiaa) Bush(Geeoorrggiaa) BushThen they telling y'all lies on the newsThen they telling y'all lies on the newsThe white people smiling like everything coolThe white people smiling like everything coolBut I know people that died in that poolBut I know people that died in that poolI know people that died in them schoolsI know people that died in them schoolsNow what is the survivor to do?Now what is the survivor to do?Got to no trailer, you gotta moveGot to no trailer, you gotta moveNow it's on to Texas and to (Geeoorrggiiaa)Now it's on to Texas and to (Geeoorrggiiaa)They tell you what they want, show you what they want you to They tell you what they want, show you what they want you to seeseeBut they don't let you know what's really going onBut they don't let you know what's really going onMake it look like a lotta stealing going onMake it look like a lotta stealing going onBoy them cops is killas in my homeBoy them cops is killas in my homeNigga shot dead in the middle of the streetNigga shot dead in the middle of the streetI ain't no thief, I'm just trying to eatI ain't no thief, I'm just trying to eatMan fuck the police and president (Geeoorrrggiiaa) BushMan fuck the police and president (Geeoorrrggiiaa) BushSo what happened to the levees, why wasn't they steadySo what happened to the levees, why wasn't they steadyWhy wasn't they able to control this?Why wasn't they able to control this?I know some fok' that live by the leveeI know some fok' that live by the leveethat keep on telling me they heard the explosionsthat keep on telling me they heard the explosionsSame shit happened back in Hurricane BetsySame shit happened back in Hurricane Betsy1965, I ain't too young to know this1965, I ain't too young to know thisThat was President Johnson but nowThat was President Johnson but nowbut it's president (Geeoorrggiiaa) Bushbut it's president (Geeoorrggiiaa) Bush

Lil WayneLil WayneThis song is about This song is about President Bush and how President Bush and how he doesn’t care about he doesn’t care about black people, especially black people, especially in New Orleans.in New Orleans.It reflects America It reflects America because it shows how because it shows how Bush is treating people Bush is treating people and how it’s wrongand how it’s wrongIt makes me feel like It makes me feel like America has gone crazyAmerica has gone crazy