Nina Cried Power - protest song
Themes
Context links
Global links
Social Activism and
Empowerment: The song's
title itself refers to the iconic
singer and civil rights activist
Nina Simone. Throughout the
song, Hozier pays homage to
artists and activists who have
cried out for justice and
change.
Nina Simone
Racism /
Play Nina Simone and
discrimination We Shall overcome discuss
Legacy and Influence: The
lyrics of "Nina Cried Power"
highlight the lasting impact
that these artists and activists
have had on the world. By
referencing figures like Billie
Holiday and James Brown,
Hozier underscores the
influence they've had on
shaping culture, music, and
social consciousness.
We shall
Overcome
Equality/
freedom
Introduce civil rights
movementhttps://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=0UOTLqmR
r2U
https://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=Tr5xbiZlojw
Unity and Solidarity: The song Songs in the
emphasizes the idea of unity
civil rights
and solidarity in the face of
movement
injustice. Lines like "It's not
the waking, it's the rising"
suggest that the strength lies
in people coming together and
standing up for what is right.
Justice
Analyse lyrics of song
Resilience and Perseverance:
The song acknowledges the
challenges and obstacles
faced by activists and artists
but also celebrates their
resilience and determination.
Social strife
Links to global issues
and current issues
Music as a Catalyst for
Change: The theme of
music's role in sparking
change is a cornerstone of the
song
Why this song
matters
Session ideas
Almost Sweet Music - 'Almost' is a song by Hozier that explores the idea of missed
opportunities and the regret that can come with them. The. Hannah Whitfield. It seems
like it is a letter to some man's late wife. Some of the lyrics make it seem like a man
grieving the loss of his wife.
Themes
Context
links
Global
links
Nostalgia and Reminiscence:
The song's lyrics evoke a sense
of nostalgia, as the narrator
reflects on past memories and
experiences.
He
references
17 artists
in this
song
Depress What is a missed
ion
opportunity?What is regret?
Musical Influence and
Appreciation: The song pays
tribute to various musicians and
songs that have left an impact on
the narrator's life.
Romantic Yearning and Desire:
While the song's title might
suggest a primarily musical
theme, the lyrics also touch upon
themes of romance and desire.
Craft +
beauty
Session ideas
Analyse song
Choose 1 song from the list and
compare it.
MovementThemes
Context links
Global links
Session ideas
Physical and Emotional
Fred Astaire
Connection: The song's lyrics
suggest a profound physical
and emotional connection
between the two individuals
mentioned. Lines like "I still
watch you when you're
groovin'" and "And I, I could die
looking into your eyes"
highlight a sense of deep
attraction and an intimate bond
that goes beyond the surface.
What do you
associate with: Willow
tree, grey skies, birds
of paradise, water at
the bottom of a pool,
Sensuality and Desire: The
song explores sensuality and
desire through its sensual
imagery and descriptions. The
lyrics evoke a sense of
yearning and passion,
emphasizing the physicality of
the relationship.
Atlas
Research contextual
links - what could
they mean?
Vulnerability and Openness:
The lyrics allude to
vulnerability and emotional
openness. The lines "So you
can keep me / Inside the
pocket of your ripped jeans"
suggest a willingness to be
kept close and an acceptance
of one's vulnerabilities by the
other person.
Polunin
Annotate poem
Exploration of Identity: The
theme of identity is subtly
present in the lyrics. The lines
"When you move, I'm moved"
can be interpreted as a
reflection of how being in
someone's presence can
influence and shape one's own
sense of self and identity.
Jonah
Create global issue
links
Impermanence and Time: The
lyrics also touch on the
transient nature of time and
experiences. Lines like "And
when my body is dust / Singing
in the nude / I'll know that I
loved you" reflect a sense of
acceptance of mortality and
the idea that the intensity of
the connection will linger even
after physical existence.
Take me to Church
Themes
Context links
Critique of Organized Religion:
The song critiques the harmful
and oppressive aspects of
organized religion. It highlights
how certain religious
institutions can condemn and
persecute individuals for their
sexuality or identity, and it
questions the morality of such
actions.
https://www.yout Discrimination
ube.com/watch?
v=QZVv0llWmP
E
Love and Desire: The song
explores themes of love and
desire, contrasting the genuine
emotional connection between
two people with the rigid
dogmas of religious
institutions. The lyrics evoke a
sense of longing and passion.
Westbro Baptist
Churchhttps://www.yout
ube.com/watch?
v=2HCwgAm6Kf
c
Introduce context +
interview with Hozier
Sacrifice and Redemption: The
imagery of "Take Me to
Church" also invokes themes
of sacrifice and redemption
https://www.theg
uardian.com/wor
ld/2023/jul/09/us
-religious-rightlgbtq-globalculture-fronts
Annotate
https://www.yout
ube.com/watch?
v=fwYS42gUhy
Y
Global links
Session ideas
What issues do the
LGBTQ+ community
face now?
https://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=iUqhnfTr
Zrw
Links to global issues
As it Was -
Themes
Context links
Drug addiction
Global links
Session ideas
Substance
abuse
Ripple effect of
addiction:
https://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=6AqjvLA
GEQQ
https://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=3QrZLN
yYHVw
Modern living and the
repercussions of it
Familial
breakdown
Odysseus returning
home - the epic in
lyrics
Depression
Inequality homelessness
Analysing
Links to global issues
Shrike
Themes
Global links
Session ideas
Lost Love and Longing: The
Religious
song revolves around the
imagery
theme of lost love and the
deep longing that accompanies
it.
Love and loss
What is an extended
metaphor? Why do
we use them?
Nature and Symbolism: The
shrike is a type of bird known
for impaling its prey on thorns
or spikes
Impact of grief
- global impact
of suffering
(disasters, g
warming)
What is a shrike?
Discuss meaninghttps://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=fwYS42
gUhyY
Regret and Reflection: The
lyrics suggest an element of
regret and reflection, as the
singer contemplates past
mistakes and decisions that
led to the end of the
relationship.
Context links
grief
Acceptance and Moving On:
Despite the sorrowful tone, the
song also touches on the
theme of acceptance and the
idea of finding a way to move
on from heartbreak.
Talk -annotate
Sunlight - annotate
Wasteland Baby!
Themes
Context links
Apocalyptic Imagery: The song
features apocalyptic and
dystopian imagery, referencing
a "wasteland" and the idea of
impending chaos or
destruction.
https://www.yout Economic and
ube.com/watch? environmental
v=9IDyGILhpDw collapse
Introduce TS Eliot https://www.youtub
e.com/watch?v=PSI
5AejsFbU
Love and Solace: Amid the
apocalyptic themes, the song
also revolves around the
theme of love and finding
solace in a relationship.
https://www.yout Human
ube.com/watch? ignorance
v=HGoRH4Otyh
s
Read intro to
Wasteland and
analyse
Escapism and Longing: The
song touches on the idea of
escapism, with the lyrics
expressing a desire to escape
from the difficulties of the world
and find a place of safety.
Acceptance and Resilience:
The song ultimately hints at a
theme of acceptance and
resilience.
Global links
Relationship
between
humans and
environment
Session ideas
Analyse poem