It was hard deciding which aim was more prevalent this week. I almost feel that in American culture, and American music both aims go hand in hand with each other. I feel that liberation from something is success, that one feels successful when they feel liberation. Therefore when I was choosing songs, sometimes it was hard for me to decide whether it would be considered liberation or if it would be considered success. For example, the song that I chose to display for liberation was "The World's Greatest, " by R.Kelly. When I first thought of the song, it made me think of success because it is about him being the world's greatest, but then I started to think about what liberation truly meant. Liberation is suppose to mean being released from the cycle, and in American culture this cycle can be anything, an abusive relationship or poverty. Whatever it may be, I feel that by R.Kelly saying that he was now the 'world's greatest' meant that he had accomplished and achieved whatever he was one struggling at. I also feel that liberation means being set free, therefore being comfortable with who you are, being yourself was also important so that's why I also included the song Video by India Arie, since it talks about being herself. I did not have trouble finding songs for success, however the problem is I feel that it is so far from the success aim that is discussed in Hinduism. The songs that I chose, the definition of success has to do with celebration mostly of having money. However, I feel that the success that Hinduism means is not only about materialistic things. And also when the songs discuss how they are successful with sex, money or obtaining drugs that Hinduism would considered these things successful as well.

Liberation

R.Kelly, " The World's Greatest." R&B, 2002

India Arie, " Video" Soul, 2001
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq86e4Fhja0

Kevin Rudolph, " I Made It" Rock, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWHH1Updhig

Mary J. Blige, "No More Drama" R&B, 2002
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em328ua_Lo8

Destiny's Child, "I'm a Survivor" R&B, 2001
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8fysvEFIck

Success

Drake, " Successful." Hip-Hop, 2009

Black Eyed Peas, "Imma Be" Pop, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdAj-dBNCi4

Birdman Ft. Lil Wayne, " Pop Bottles" Rap, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA1UpMMmV6A

50 Cent, " I Get Money" Rap, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO22Z0T3qPE

Danni Minogue, " Success" Dance, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaavqxbUFbo

Although it is much easier to find music regarding pleasure, it is hard to say that this pop culture music has a relation to the pleasure aim of Hinduism. A great deal of songs regarding pleasure has to do with sex, and although sex is included in the pleasure aim of Hinduism, I also feel that it is harder to find pleasure songs that convey this correctly. As mentioned in class, with Hinduism it is important to keep your moral, even with pleasure, therefore it is difficult to find songs that show pleasure yet still show some kind of morality. However, I feel that automatically there is only good in community service, therefore the aim of community service is much more prevalent in the songs I've selected. The songs that I have selected show that it community service really is a duty, an obligation and I think that is what the aim in Hinduism means. I decided to take a stand of looking at community service as being green and taking care of the planet, therefore that’s what the majority of my songs have to do with. I feel that this relates greatly with the aim of duty, and the fulfillment that one receives by keeping the earth clean is extremely good for their atman. Also I thought it was interesting because I do feel that in recent years, the world has become a much more concerned with taking care of the environment and everyone is trying to go green therefore I felt that this tied into the Hindu aim perfectly. I decided to choose songs that were not all from one generation when it came to community service so I have two from the 70s, two from the early 90s and then the song I decided to show was actually a recent Miley Cyrus song. I wanted to display that song since it was recent and it was sung by someone of a younger generation. There were a great deal of songs about community service from the 60s and 70s however I felt that it was important to find something recent, and relatable.

Pleasure

Keri Hilson, " Turnin Me On" Hip-Hop, 2009

Joseph Arthur, "Honey and the moon" Soft Rock, 2002
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeg9Af7q9Jw

Bright Eyes, "Lover I Don't Have to Love." Rock, 2002
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuXkhE0VMcw

Lou Barlow, " Legendary" Rock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffwjCZ_Obts

Lifehouse, "Everything" Rock, 2000
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjDojEOiMcE

Community Service

Miley Cyrus, "Wake Up America." Pop, 2008


Bryan Adams, " Don't Drop That Bomb On Me." Soft Rock, 1991
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX6ezltef8w

The Beach Boys, " Don't go Near the Water." Rock, 1971
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cTIYsvJOQk

Michael Jackson, "Heal the World." Pop, 1992
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWf-eARnf6U

Dan Fogelberg, "Face the Fire." Rock, 1972
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWQTrGONu3A