The song "Things Goin' On" by Lynyrd Skynyrd is a powerful piece that touches on several important themes:
1. **Social Awareness and Injustice:** The song opens with a reference to living in the ghetto, immediately bringing attention to the struggles faced by those in impoverished areas. This sets the tone for a song that is deeply concerned with social issues and injustices.
2. **Feeling of Alienation and Disconnection:** The rhetorical question, "Have you ever felt the cold wind blow?" suggests a sense of alienation and hardship. The singer is challenging the listener to empathize with those who are less fortunate and to acknowledge their struggles.
3. **Call to Action:** The line "Won't you stand up and scream?" serves as a call to action. It's an invitation for the listener to not remain passive but to actively voice their concerns about the issues being presented.
4. **Critique of Government and Misplaced Priorities:** The lyrics criticize the government's spending and priorities, specifically mentioning the money spent on space exploration ("Too much money been spent upon the moon") while issues on Earth, such as poverty and environmental degradation, are neglected.
5. **Environmental Concerns:** The song expresses worry about the destruction of the environment, mentioning "they're goin' ruin the air we breathe." This reflects a broader concern for the planet and the future.
6. **Cynicism and Distrust in Leadership:** The song conveys a sense of cynicism and distrust towards those in power. The lines "I don’t think they really care" and "I think they just sit up there / And just get high" suggest that the leaders are out of touch with the common people and are indifferent to their struggles.
7. **Repetition for Emphasis:** The repetition of certain lines, especially towards the end, emphasizes the urgency and importance of the issues being discussed. It's as if the song is trying to drill these messages into the listener's consciousness.
Overall, "Things Goin' On" by Lynyrd Skynyrd is a protest song that addresses socio-economic disparities, environmental issues, and the need for social and political awareness. It urges listeners to become aware of and vocal about the problems facing society.
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