The song that I have chosen is Numb by Linkin Park
Click here to listen to the song
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface
Don't know what you're expecting of me
Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes,
Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow,
Every step that I take is another mistake to you,
Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
I've become so tired, so much more aware
I'm becoming this all I wanted to do
Is be more like me and be less like you
Can't you see that you're smothering me?
Holding too tightly, afraid to lose control
'Cause everything that you thought I would be
Has fallen apart right in front of you,
Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow,
Every step that I take is another mistake to you,
Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow,
And every second I waste is more than I can take!
I've become so numb, I can't feel you there
I've become so tired, so much more aware
I'm becoming this all I wanted to do
Is be more like me and be less like you
And I know
I may end up failing too
But I know
You were just like me with someone disappointed in you
I've become so numb I can't feel you there
I've become so tired so much more aware
I'm becoming this all I wanted to do
Is be more like me and be less like you
I've become so numb I can't feel you there
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
I've become so numb I can't feel you there
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
Analysis
Overview
This song is most likely from the point of view of a teenager. He thinks that his parents expect too much from him and he could no longer feel their love. He feels that he has little freedom and did not want to follow them anymore. He could no longer bear any of this. He is numb to them and cannot feel their love anymore.
Stanza 1
The teenager is tired of his parents’ expectations of him. He has no faith in himself and he is lost in the world. He does not know what is expected of him. "Walking in your shoes" refers to the teenager following his parents' instructions and he is under pressure because of that. "Caught in the undertow" is repeated many times to emphasize on the teenager stuck in a situation which he has to follow his parents. He feels that whatever he does is another mistake to his parents.
Stanza 2 (Chorus)
He has become numb to them as a result - he could no longer feel their love. He is tired of them and is so much more aware of them. All he wants to do is to "be more like me and be less like you" proving that he really wants to be independent and not follow his parents
Stanza 3
The teenager wants to let the parents know that they are overprotective. They are holding on to him too tightly, restricting his freedom, his life, as they are afraid to lose control over him. Ironically, they wanted the best for their son, but instead, everything that they thought he would be, all his future, all has fallen apart, destroyed forever. Everything step that he takes alone is another mistake to them and he can no longer bear another second wasted because of his trapped life.
Stanza 4 (Chorus)
Repetition (refer to stanza 2)
Stanza 5
He knows that even if he makes his own decisions, he still may fail. But he knows that his parents were also once also like him, with someone also disappointed in them.
Stanza 6 (Chorus)
Repetition (refer to stanza 2)
Stanza 7
The teenager is so numb that he can no longer feel their existence. "I'm tired of being what you want me to be" from the first stanza is repeated, emphasizing the most important message sent to the parents and in fact, the listener.
My response
Leave me alone by Kuan Wei Heng
All these while
your cage which locked me in
and the locks that held me tight
left
me
like
this
All these stress
and pain
Do you really care?
Does this really matter?
Leave me alone
Do not follow me
Let
go
of
me.
Father's response
I realised that I have not been paying much attention to my son, neglecting our father and son relationship. I am glad that I realised this before it was too late. Hopefully, I will be able to understand my son more and be more sensitive to his feelings.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
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A very insightful ticket I've got when reading your blog post - a ticket to understand you better.
ReplyDeleteIt's normal for teenagers to crave for freedom. You know, the tone of the song also reflects the teenagers' numbness, for there's hardly any melody to the song. This really makes it all the more authentic. Good job done, both the Linkin' Park and to you. xD
About your father's response, let him know that he isn't the only one X). Alright. Now for business.
1) Effort
You've definitely put in a lot of effort for this post. I've finally managed to fully understand you. At least I hope. (:
2) Analysis
Very insightful. Your analysis reflects more of a teenager's life, not so much of yourself. Might want to add in some 'literary devices' or 'FOS' in your analysis as well.
3)Response
You've got a really strong response. But one thing I still don't know: what's your learning style? (:
4)Overall
A lot of effort and thought put into this post. Just some areas for improvement. 8/10
The second person to talk about parental expectations. A good song and a good analysis. But I think the best part is your father's response. As I mentioned in another blog, the LA program has been about communicating and not just in a teacher/student context. I like when that communication takes on real-life situations. I really believe that in the long run it has to help and be positive. Wish this was posted yesterday!! 8/10 for MBA.
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