globalistion compilation

[janet_penny]

I just wanted to add another song that I've found that I think is appropriate. I've been listening to K'Naan and I think 'Wash it Down' could be right - it has the beautiful sound of the washing rhythm overlaid with K'Naan rapping and talks about water - contrasting America and Somalia.

Janet

[Charlie]

Across The Borderline .. by Freddy Fender on The Border soundtrack is one of the great songs ever written about migrants. Various artists have since cut it but the original as sung by Freddy - a Mexican migrant - is the best. Garth

Freddy Fender is actually American, real name Baldemar Huerta, born in San Benito, Texas.

Just wanted to mention that great song by Calexico, Across the Wire, about two Mexican brothers trying to get into the States - to be found on World 2003.

[Con Murphy]

How about Youssou NDour's Immigrés? A song reminding Senegalese migrants to always remember their roots. I'll try to remember to dig out Jenny Cathcart's book on Youssou later, because I think that has the English translation of the lyrics.

On a similar theme is Paris-Dakar by Daara J.

[Rod B.]

A few thoughts:

Hasn’t been mentioned yet, perhaps too obvious to everyone, but ‘Fast Food Dakar’, the Amadou and Mariam/Manu Chao collaboration is an excellent song about the communication/travel aspects of globalization.

If perhaps Manu Chao’s rendering of Clandestino is a bit overfamiliar by now, how about José Mercé’s flamenco cover version?

A good Spanish-language anti-globalization song would be ‘La Picadura’ by the excellent Argentinian salsa/rock/etc group Karamelo Santo. The song is an indictment of the IMF for continuing to enforce debts on the peoples of Latin American nations incurred by the dictators that had previously oppressed them.

Finally, the mention of the K’Naan track about the politics of water reminded me of Mos Def’s very relevant hip-hop protest song ‘New World Water’.

[Con Murphy]

How about Youssou NDour's Immigrés? A song reminding Senegalese migrants to always remember their roots. I'll try to remember to dig out Jenny Cathcart's book on Youssou later, because I think that has the English translation of the lyrics.

Some of those lyrics:-

Our compatriots who are abroad don't live there
They only reside for a short time
For they belong here
And sooner or later they will come home
Because their roots are here
Because the people of these host countries
Don't really know them
Don't really understand them
For it is a question of culture
Ambition and pride lead us to seek
Whatever fortune we can in another country
But being true to our origins
We must return home one day

Not sure it fits.....?

[janet_penny]

Thanks for the Youssou NDour lyrics, I think it could be relevant, it certainly covers the theme of globalisation, ie. transmigration. I'm also very interested in the Daara J song, sounds just right.
I'm also interested in getting hold of Fela Kuti's "Water Get No Enemy".

So far it seems that most of the globally themed songs are about Immigration/Emmigration and Water (or lack of). I guess they're two themes that are always with us...

Janet

[Con Murphy]

Thanks for the Youssou NDour lyrics, I think it could be relevant, it certainly covers the theme of globalisation, ie. transmigration. I'm also very interested in the Daara J song, sounds just right.

Janet, I've tried but can't find the lyrics to Paris-Dakar, and they rap far too quickly for my limited French 'ear' to fully discern what they are saying. Don't know if anyone else can confirm whether I am right in thinking that the song fits the bill....?

[alberto.cottica]

Two titles from Italy, both about immigration, not globalisation per se:

Modena City Ramblers, "Etnica danza"
Fiamma Fumana "Prendi l'onda"

Lyrics are in Italian, though!

[Dominic]

Jarvis Cocker's first solo song to get a public airing is his reaction to Live8. It's called "Running the World" & can be heard on http://myspace.com/jarvspace. Warning: contains the c-word. Frequently.

[RobHall]

Coming at this topic from a rather different angle, you might consider Randy Newman's "Political Science" for it's observations on global expansionism. Also, in a roundabout way, his "Great Nations of Europe" offers a reminder that there are many colonial skeletons in forgotten cupboards; you might find room for "Sail Away" in the mix too.

Fela: you might want to check out "ITT (International Thief Thief)" - I recall being awestruck by the venom and fearlessness of this when I first heard it many yars ago.

Rob

[Chris Walsh]

Just heard a great single on the radio that really covers the whole globalisation theme - it's called 'World Wide Suicide' by Pearl Jam.... great tune.