____________Expressions in Song & Spirit & Social Change____________

Bob Marley’s Jump Nyabinghi, and Maroon 5’s Moves Like Jagger, have some interesting points in common, considering ecstatic dance as the direct connection between the two songs: ‘Love to see when ya move in the rhythm’ and ‘all the moves like Jagger.’ Each song also refers to the desire to be free from control/oppression expressed in the psychospiritual lyrics ‘troddin’ down Jericho walls’ and ‘I don’t need to try to control you.’

Of course, as someone said in a conversation the other day, ‘As a musician, I’m a universalist,’ and it is no coincidence that the archetype of dance is expressed completely fluently in these songs by these renowned musicians. As reported in a Time magazine article, the importance of dance, and therefor music as a cross cultural method of communication is hard wired ‘[T]he dynamic features of emotion expression are cross-culturally universal, at least for the five emotions tested here… these expressions have similar dynamic contours in both music and movement.’

While the Maroon 5 song focuses on a more personal approach, and The Wailers a social connection, each song also suggests the presence of a higher power, Jagger, obviously, and Hallelu-Jah. Personal liberation must arrive before social liberation can be achieved, is how the Handbook of Poetic Phonetics tells me to interpret ‘Everyone doin’ and they’re doing their best’ and ‘Just shoot for the stars if it feels right.’ A more somber statement that reflects these ideas from Viktor Frankel is ‘Man does not simply exist but always decides what his existence will be, what he will become the next moment. By the same token, every human being has the freedom to change at any instant.’

So, have you sung today? Have you danced today? Believe in the music of your soul, and check in with your inner dance.

Til next time.

After having Maroon 5’s song in my brain for a day and a half, the coincidences seem to be stronger than just archetype bubbling through consciousness. 😉

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH9UGhm1cbI