The Power of a Song

 

The Power of a Song

Music is the universal language, so they say. It's true. A song can allow us to transcend politics, race, religion, creed, color... it can be a force to cross the sound barrier, the color line, unlock truths and transmute humanity into the consciousness of peaceful coexistence. It is all powerful... a song. The undisputed King of Rock-n-Roll Elvis Presley (whose "American Trilogy" was a powerful close to many of his live concerts) learned very early in life:

"Without a song, the day would never end; without a song, a man ain't got a friend; without a song, the road would never bend - without a song. ' So, I keep singing a song."

Songs, today, in the 21st century, are being used for so many fascinating purposes - as anthems, as emotional themes, to recall past glory days, to inspire faith in the future. There are a few that stand out, which have affected me and so many in my midst... and are ubiquitous on social media as clarion calls for harmony and accord (no pun intended).

Look at Victor Willis's "Y.M.C.A." Once considered a "gay anthem," history has allowed its creator to correct that myth in an ironic way. Victor didn't want President Trump using his famous song from the late '70s for his rallies. But his wife saw a golden opportunity and convinced Victor to let him use it and, in the process, he was able to not only make a fortune in royalties, but revise what was widely known as the original meaning of the song - he rewrote history. And now it has become an anthem. Even after Operation Epic Fury took down the Iranian regime, the Iranians have been celebrating their new freedom, dancing to Victor's song.

On March 3, 2026, Victor posted: STATEMENT ON THE USE OF Y.M.C.A. AND IRANIAN CELEBRATIONS WORLDWIDE: "I think it's really cool that Iranians would use my song to celebrate a possible change in their country. When Jacques and I wrote 'Y.M.C.A.' back in 1978, neither of us had any idea of the significance the song would hold for the world over 48 years later. Jacques and Henri would be very proud. As am I. Hopefully peace will come soon to the people of Iran."

Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A." is another example of a song that he recorded back in 1984 that lay dormant for decades, only to become one of the greatest patriotic theme songs in the history of America, next to "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "America the Beautiful!" Lee, himself in awe of the new life his song has taken on said: "God put that song in my hands and it's my job to steward it."

Disturbed, a Chicago-based heavy metal band from the '90s put out a remake of Simon & Garfunkel's great song, "The Sound of Silence," which has been used a lot as an emotional soundtrack to illustrate in sound how great the U.S. military is.

Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Freebird" - RVZ's powerful, patriotic rock anthem never disappoints with its triple guitar threat rousing audiences the world over. Here's a powerful remake.

AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" is one cool metal song that is used widely on the Internet to honor the airmen/military and does so very effectively with its pounding rhythm, ushering the great flyers through the skies.

For others, it's about being stubborn and stodgy... for a great song like Stax's phenomenal group from the '60s Sam & Dave's, "Hold On, I'm Comin'" written by Isaac Hayes, where his grandson thought it was a good idea to bar the song from being used by the Trump campaign instead of allowing it to re-emerge (like "Y.M.C.A.") to be loved by a whole new generation of fans. Isaac Hayes' estate sued Donald Trump for using the song at rallies; however, the cease-and-desist order apparently didn't stick. The song was played at nearly every rally of the final campaign.

For me, a songwriter all my life, it's not about politics. It's about a moment in time where a song is able to capture the raw emotions of what's going on in the world. I get really emotional about songs - even walking into a restaurant... it really affects my mood and appetite!  There's a sushi place I frequent where they play very sad music all the time and I'm constantly complaining about it. So, the other day, I went to the restaurant, and they were playing "elevator music." I was never so happy to hear muzak! Or, as they sometimes call it, "lift music." It was as refreshing as my sushi was stale!  You've all probably heard this song but didn't know what it was - "The Girl From Ipanema" - most famous muzak/elevator song. I digress...

Like Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth," Bob Dylan's "The Times, They Are a-Changin,'" and Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On," the '60s had so many emotional political anthems - a new one on the top forty / top ten charts coming out every week of that era!  They still play CCR's "Fortunate Son" and John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance" and, of course, "Imagine," which has been completely misinterpreted over and over by people who just didn't understand Lennon. But it's very interesting to be alive today in an era where we're all reaching into our past to galvanize the moments of today... with a song.