Where is the Love
It talks about how people dont have any love for other people but themselves, and how they focus on the negative stuff instead of the positives
Why the song was realeased
Similarities
Impact
Both songs received significant attention for their messages and became a significant song for their respective causes.
[Purpose]
Wants to speak out/ protest against social issues
Where is the Love is protesting against 9/11 while American Idiot protests against George Bush and the invasion of Iraq
Speaks out against the situation between Iraq and the USA
American Idiot
Songs were used in protests and campaigns
Where is the Love: Civil Rights movement
Ex: Used in Black Lives Matter protests
American Idiot: Anti-war, Political Movement
Ex: Used in a protest against Donald Trump
Has a more rebellious and defiant tone and uses the punk rock music style.
The song is more focused on American culture and politics, pointing out the problems of the media, consumerism, and the political climate in the United States.
It also talks about fear, xenophobia, and the mass media’s influence on public opinion and paranoia post-9/11.
The song was released because of a friend who asked the Black Eyed Peas to make a song about the 9/11. During the time, 9/11 still impacted many lives so they started to compose the song and released it in 2003
Lyrics
Helped and influenced other artists to speak out against things they disagreed with.
Help the world realize the situation going on in the world
The song mainly talks about many global issues that a lot of us face such as race discrimination/racism, police brutality, and terrorism
The song had a major impact on the communities, becoming the number 1 best seller and number 1 song in London for six weeks.
Where is the love is a hip hop song with a questioning vibe and tone
Both songs were insanely popular and spread important messages
If you want people to realize important things, you must convince them with a way they can connect with, which many people can connect is music. As not only does music help your brain but also spread important messages.
Literary Devices
Reason for release
Response to George Bush leading soldiers into Iraq after the 9/11 Terror Attack
Lyrics
The lyric and the name of the song "Where is the love?" is asking us where is the love as we only habe love for our own people and not others.
"What's wrong with the world mama? people livin like they got no mamas." represents the people who have no remorse for the things they do for example dictators.
"Overseas yeah, we tryna stop terrorism, but we still got terrorist livin." tells us that no matter where we are or how hard we try, there are always people who will attack other people either for their own purpose or family/country history
Don’t wanna be an American idiot!
Don’t want a nation under the new media
And can you hear the sound of hysteria?
The subliminal mind f**k America!
Refers to George Bush who lead soldiers into Iraq
Accuses the mass media of using propaganda to stir up paranoia in a post-9/11 world
Rhetorical question which asks people whether they even acknowledge the situation
Exaggerates the impact of media manipulation on the American public’s mindset
Juxtaposition
Where is the Love: If you only have love for your own race, then you only leave space to discriminate
American Idiot: Well maybe I’m the faggot America
Contrasts love with discrimination to highlight the negative consequences of prejudice
Juxtaposes personal identity with societal labels
Allusion
Where is the Love: Father, Father, Father help us, send some guidance from above
Alludes to a higher power or God for help and guidance
American Idiot: Welcome to a new kind of tension, all across the alien nation
Alludes to the political and social climate in America
Repetition
Where is the Love repeats the words “Where is the Love” to emphasize the central theme of love and compassion
American Idiot repeats the words “American Idiot” to reinforce the song’s critical stance on American culture and media