Wayne Ralph
Wayne Ralph
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The Times They Are a-Changin' (back)

Posted over 5 years ago

Those who don't study history are doomed to repeat it

John Mayer's song "Waiting for the World to Change" depresses the hell out of me.

It feels like it's a "re-imaging" of a 60's protest song. And that's what sticks in my throat. Hippies, Woodstock, Flower Power and irrational manifestos. All of this was suppose to have changed the world already.

Now John is pretty much saying we're back where we started.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

But the very worse is the chorus: "So we're going to keep on waiting, waiting for the world to change"

What the hell is that? Where's the call to rally? The direction, the purpose, the "We can change things."

It's "Yeah man, it's a shame. But what are you gonna do? Um.. You gonna finish that joint?"

Almost as if what's the point of trying, we'll be back here sooner or later.

Those that study history are doomed to know they are repeating it.
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Comments (5)

  1. awoodyard
    awoodyard says Just to play Devi's Advocate here: I heard an explanation of this chorus, by John Mayer, which actually made some sense. His explanation that the idea of "Waiting on the World to Change" was more of a summation of the current (16-25) generation's outlook on things than an encouragement of the behavior. I agree somewhat with what he was getting at. I think it was partially BECAUSE our generation HAS studied history as you were saying and DO know we/they're repeating it. We hear comparisons of Iraq to Vietnam, etc. etc. Basically there are a lot of people (young and old) that would really like to change a lot of the things that are going on in the United States and the World as a whole, but despite many failed attempts (many of which were tried for similar problems decades ago) things don't seem to change much. Overall the outlook of the song is that although many members of our generation would like to see things very much different the efforts that have been taken seem so futile (especially with those in power not seeing things quite the same way) that a lot of people are waiting for a shift that will at least show SOMETHING positive before they begin to take a better outlook on what can be done to change things. I hope that at least made SOME sense.
    Permalink posted 01/20/2007
  2. chewy
    chewy says Yes, the world was supposed to change by now. However, here we are, over forty years after Bob's protest and some guy named John is protesting the same thing. Perhaps if physical protesting, free-thinking, and out of this world drug trips didn't do it, then sitting by and watching will. Atleast we all have front row seats to the self-destruction of man. "It's not that we don't care, We just know that the fight ain't fair" Just a thought, :D
    Permalink posted 01/20/2007
  3. awoodyard
    awoodyard says Definitely can't beat the seats....probably can't stop the chain of events that have already been set into the works....might as well enjoy the view and make sure you've got a good soundtrack to go with it :)
    Permalink posted 01/20/2007
  4. Wayne Ralph
    Wayne Ralph says I understand the idea of the 'comment on society', but to a casual listener (such as myself) it does seem like... um... what's the word I'm looking for... "defeatist"?? It's like taking fustration, hollowing it out, and then filling it with apathy. Like a chocolate éclair. OOOOooooo...... Chocolate éclair...... (drool)... :-)
    Permalink posted 01/21/2007
  5. universalhall7
    universalhall7 says

    I agree - it depresses the hell out of me too. I actually included it on my protest songs video website but only out of wanting some more modern protest songs.

    The forms of manipulation get more subtle and the populace more apathetic so we keep on waiting for someone else to put it right - but keep on voting Republican if we vote at all.

    Permalink posted 03/18/2011

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