SCF's Song Race • S9 E4 • "Call & Response"

[Julian]

SEASON 9 · EPISODE 4

SPOILER: Click to show

JUDGES

Syr / αndreas / George J.

CONTESTANTS

Alper / Argüello / Lᴇꜰ / alex(a)bg / Chante™ / Josh's Tattoo (Inactive) / agni / Apostolis / Llemian / Queen of Mean (Inactive) / Percy Yates / david / Lux / Aglan / Matt

VIEWERS

✨ Forrest ✨ / Ｊａｋｕｂ / Niklas / ROBERT 💙 / Aglan / jstårsz / ~Rethnas~ / Sel / Oisín / Matt / Callum / Dylan / 𝐴𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑎̀ / ough / Ｂ３ＳＴＢＥＡＴＳ / inactivo (nq era) / 𝚂𝚌𝚘𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚛✌︎ / 𝖱𝖠𝖣𝖤𝖰𝖰 / Lux / kacper / Dimitris / Sylwia / Jens / James / CHAE WITH A C / MaRtIn / αndreas / Ste / George J. / Basti(án) / justin05

[Chante™]

TESS T'MÁZIKOVÁ
Season 9, Episode 4: Call & Response

Thinking about recent events, especially with me being the only participant from the United States, it got us really thinking about the inevitable collapse of the fragile balance that is keeping the American Empire in its current state. And to be quite frank, it sucks. It sucks that for the entire time that I have lived in this hellscape, that people have regurgitated the idea that this "country" is the best country in the world. And yet the moment you peel away the façade, it is shambolic. The promise of the American Dream is a falsehood.  The American Dream is described as the national ethos of the United States, with an emphasis on democracy, liberty, equality, material wealth and upward mobility. And much like the democracy in this hellscape (we are given two parties that do not give a shit about the average person and told to deal with it, and are on the express train to a full fledged fascist dictatorship), this is not the American Dream, but the American Nightmare.  Numerous families immigrate to the United States annually trying to improve their lives, both economically and socially. However, these families, enticed by the American Nightmare, find their opportunities to be nonexistent. Violence, especially drug and gang related, are often the only paths that these desperate families can take. Burdened by the illusion of choice, with families back home depending on the generosity of these immigrant children, they are sold the truest of American Dreams: bullets. As one of a seemingly endless list of mass shooting survivors, I can confirm that this song simply tells the reality of life here in this shitshow of a country. That's it. That's the whole post TRIGGER WARNING FOR DRUG USAGE IN THE MV BLACK MOSS - WE GOT THAT (selected by Tess Tpusi) Lyrics SPOILER: Click to show Bullets got your name before your mama even named you Stretch marks but they gonna stretch you 'till you're famous White sheets look like sleepovers, they banging Hands never talk, but fingers speak in language You either serve God or the gods, n**** Do you even know where you are n**** America, living from a distance to the land Selling you handouts, then cutting off your hand Straight from the melting pot into the fire We all walking on thin ice, till ice fire But not before you open ten fold what you needed Red, white and blue, but green gonna keep you breathing Leaving him in style on the field N****s forge I mean a real n****s forge This a real n**** story We put the motherland on standby Pledge allegiance to the reason you were saying bye Bills? Pass cold smoke? Loose shoes? Pain? We got that (GOT THAT DOPE) Skills? New dreams? Lean? Fiends? Bs? Debt? We got that  [Hey you? Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck? No upward mobility? Getting absolutely no p****? Well, today's your lucky day, cause I've got the perfect thing for you. You'll be able to pull yourself up by the bootstraps, and finally get that perfect home with the white picket fence that you've always wanted. Don't just dream it; American Dream it] GIVE ME A REASON Welcome to your American Dream Please do not leave This is a dream Okay you made it Make three rights to eat and follow the burning crosses like the way to Freedom White hood versus the black hood AKA 3 ks versus them AKs Tell me how you vacate off from the same pace Where your first born just to a vay cay to A two week stay to taste their roots But enslaved names just to be safe from who? The pigs? The other kids? Just ignore until you get your fix Your landlord reimbursed off of Auschwitz How the fuck we paying rent but never owning this? Now they calling me from Haiti "Where the hundreds at? Winston, you leaving them hungry. Gotta stomach that They said you came here just to find your peace of mind" Cousin called then he asked me what the fuck they'd find Bills? Past? Cold smoke? Loose shoes? Pain? We got that (GOT THAT DOPE) Skills? New dreams? Lean? Fiends? Bs? Debt? We got that (WE GOT THAT) Bed? Rose? Red nose? Two toned hoes? We got that No job? No jobs? Shit won't stop. We got that [Now this thing right here, if you read the fine print] We got that [You already know that but you know what it's for? This here is the number one drug] We got that [This whole thing right here, this. This right here] We got that [This is a little American Dream. It'll send you packing] Welcome to your American Dream Stay right here through the fire This is the dream While "WE GOT THAT" focuses on the disillusions of the American Dream from an economic standpoint, "MISERABLE AMERICA" looks at it from an equality standpoint. Economic reasons are one reason of many to immigrate, but especially recently, escaping persecution is becoming more prevalent. Even thought the world as a whole has been moving towards a more equitable society, approving of queerness, the States are rapidly reversing any semblance of progress on this front. I mean, JD Vance is likely going to be the vice president. Abstract, who is queer himself, draws from his personal life and uses this song to showcase how this nation has failed queer people since time immemorial. From conversion therapy, to bans on drag and gender-affirming care, to so much more, the future for queer Americans looks incredibly dim. The American Dream does not exist. It has never existed. The only thing remotely resembling it is the American Nightmare.  TRIGGER WARNING FOR BLOOD AND GUNSHOTS IN THE MV Kevin Abstract - MISERABLE AMERICA (selected by Eva Máziková)  Lyrics SPOILER: Click to show My boyfriend saved me, my mother's homophobic I'm stuck in the closet, I'm so claustrophobic I just want help if, my best friend's racist My mother's homophobic, I'm stuck in the closet I'm so claustrophobic, I just wanna know shit Well, we all love Young Thug Miserable America, assassinate my character Miserable America, assassinate my character I don't care, I don't care I don't care, I don't I don't care, I don't care, no, no My boyfriend hates me, won't let me meet his parents Says my skin might scare 'em, not afraid of my appearance Feel like jumping off the building Feel like saying, "fuck your parents" Son don't feel 'em and I know they never will They love gays but they hate n****s What else are we to do rather than talk and paint a picture? I told that n**** before I even tried to tell myself I wish you thought of me the way you thought about yourself Hella help, wish 'em well I don't care no more, I don't care no more, I don't, I don't I don't care no more, I don't care no more, I don't, I don't I don't care no more, I don't care no more, I don't, I don't I don't care no more, I don't care no more, I don't, I don't These days just don't make sense without you These days just don't make sense without you (It don't make sense without you) I don't care no more, I don't care no more, I don't, I don't I don't care no more, I don't care no more, I don't, I don't I don't care no more, I don't care no more, I don't, I don't I don't care no more, I don't care no more, I don't, I don't Miserable America, assassinate my character Miserable America, assassinate my character Miserable America, assassinate my character

[Argüello]

DEE ABLAH & DAREMYTH

CALL & RESPONSE

Send two songs with a connecting theme



For this week, as a paired we both decided for this theme to go with natural disasters, both songs with a theme where they use this phenomenons as a metaphore to express emotions, as well as they used to create an atmosphere for the message of the song, it's an exploration of feelings and reflexion, where this strong and raw aspects of nature symbolize how it works on their minds

one in lithuanian and another one in russian.


DAREMYTH
 
 Uraganas (Hurricanes)  - Gamka





Lyrics translated with google 

SPOILER: Click to show

I wanted to fly, I wanted to rise
Try as hard as you want, you won't be able to be me
So much for today, so much for tonight
Party around, and then you understand
So that the music is loud, we walk in the clouds
We smoke by the pool day and night
We tried to become something else
But when I open my eyes, I understand again
I was the only one there
I was the only one there
I was the only one there
Tell me if you hoped
Tell me if you hope forever
Tell me if you hoped
Tell me if you'll love me forever
When people are real, they are not afraid at all
What everyone else thinks has long been theirs
Then the joys locked deep
Disappear into freedom, and you will feel wonderful
When light floods the heart
Then you feel, you feel that you are alive
I tried to become something else
But when I open my eyes, I understand again
I was the only one there
I was the only one there
I was the only one there
Tell me if you hoped
Tell me if you hope forever
Tell me if you hoped
Tell me if you'll love me forever
In the hurricane of my feelings
In the hurricane of my feelings
In the hurricane of my feelings
In the hurricane of my feelings

DEE ABLAH
 
Буря (Storm)  - Asenssia






Lyrics:

SPOILER: Click to show

[Intro]

I'm not happy

I'm not happy

Everything inside is in memory

I'm not happy

I'm not happy

Everything inside is in memory



[Chorus]

Storm is my element

A wave of trouble washed away

The fire was all put out

This is my element

She opened her eyes

I am the storm, I am the avalanche



[Verse]

And all the evil is in me

Burns and melts my soul

I'm sick forever, help

I pray to God

I see the light



[Chorus]

Storm is my element

A wave of trouble washed away

The fire was all put out

This is my element

She opened her eyes

I am the storm, I am the avalanche

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To heaven

Sagath & Asenssia

Dream in dream

Sagath & Asenssia

Dream

Asenssia

[Outro]

And all the evil is in me

Burns and melts my soul

I'm sick forever, help

I pray to God

I see the light

[Apostolis]

Chibu Khaki and Phaedra Phoenix presents:

We decided as a duo, to look at the theme of break ups with ex lovers. We chosen two songs which uses metaphors of snakes to describe toxic ex lovers.

Chibu Khaki’s pick for the first part of the theme (call) is …

Violetta Kafourides - Cobra (Είσαι μια Κόμπρα)

The song describes Kafourides’ ex-partner as a cobra, notoriously known for their deadly venom. According to the lyrics, her ex-lover cheated on her for another woman, leaving her behind.

Phaedra Phoenix’s pick for the second part of the theme (response) is …

Ravyn Lenae - Venom

The song is about Lenae’s venomous ex-lover, who made her toxic. She is angry and frustrated about her partner and is tired for waiting for them to change. Lenae reclaims this power and takes the matter in her own hands to save herself from this relationship, seeking revenge on them. At the end of the song, she hopes her ex-partner hopes they get the consequences they deserve.

[Matt]

TEAM MIZ BULA TONIN
S9 E3: Call & Response
Connecting theme: The Patriarchy

Song 1: Dune Moss - "Eyes Inside My Walls" (Mel)

Click here for Lyrics

Song 2: Lesley Gore - "You Don't Own Me" (Miz)

Click here for Lyrics

For this episodes theme, we have decided to link the songs via the theme of the Patriarchy, from feeling trapped by it to feeling free from it. With the modern feminism movement starting with the Suffragettes, women have fought for over 150 years for freedom from the patriarchal systems that have existed in our society. Whilst the steps have started to dismantle them, many women still feel trapped by it around the world, acutely aware that the gender imbalance in the world is trapping them in their current situations. Meanwhile, other women have chosen to not let the patriarchy control them and have decided to break free of it and become activists themselves.

In the case of the former situation is "Eyes Inside My Walls" by Dune Moss. This song goes through what it is like to be a small community purely ran by patriarchal figures, where you are constantly watched for any signs of disobedience or ideas that challenge the power dynamic that has been constructed. This is seen with the lines:

"I feel so innocent when dancing in the fields
The flowers hold me close nothing concealed
Time falls so fast until my dancing turns to crime"

In these lines, it is evident that the act of dancing in the open is seen as rebellious, and the act of rebelling is seen as a threat to the patriarchal systems in place. Whilst the flowers (other women) tried to keep her close they could not keep her safe, showing the true power of the systems built around them. The last line truly shows how she was happy to be dancing in the fields, but as soon as people realised how threatening it was, it was "criminalised" and forbidden from doing. "Eyes Inside My Walls" also plays into this idea of being constantly monitored by the patriarchy, they are literally watching you and how you act even in your home, there is no escaping the Patriarchy.

Meanwhile, the latter situation and mindset is exemplified by "You Don't Own Me" by Lesley Gore. This is a young woman who is rejecting the control of men and thus the patriarchy very outwardly and very bluntly. That is exemplified very quickly by the opening lines of the song:

"You don't own me
I'm not just one of your many toys
You don't own me
Don't say I can't go with other boys"

The opening line is just an immediate rejection of patriarchal standards of ownership of a woman, exacerbated by the second line with the idea of being a toy who is to be controlled and played with immediately ruled out. Then the 3rd line being a repeating of the opening line really drums home how much she has to say this to make a man take her even remotely seriously, as if they can't believe a woman is taking charge of her own status. The 4th line can be seen as a line said to either a father-figure or a boyfriend, with both being humbled as she is taking control of whom she is hanging out with, regardless of gender.

As can be seen, these two songs really do show 2 of the many ways women can feel under the patriarchy, these two being some of the most extreme feelings about it, hence why they were seen as being the perfect duo of songs for this connection theme.

[Alper]

Estrogennifer & Kuchi-san
Season 9: Episode 4 - Call & Response

The Call: The Illusion (Estrogennifer)

"Hamptons"
The Marías

The Marias' song 'Hamptons' paints a vivid picture of a weekend getaway filled with opulence and emotional turmoil. The Hamptons, known for their luxurious lifestyle and affluent residents, serve as the backdrop for a story of unrequited love and introspection. The opening lines describe a scene where 'all the wives dressed in white' are giving without genuine joy, highlighting a superficial social environment. Contrasting to this, the narrator is waiting for a reply from a love interest, a reply that seems destined never to come, encapsulating the feeling of being 'a little bit in love' but not fully reciprocated.

The song delves deeper into the emotional landscape with lines like 'Comes a time where silence melts away in tides,' suggesting that the weight of unspoken words and unresolved feelings is overwhelming. The act of throwing the phone in a moment of crisis symbolizes a desperate attempt to break free from the emotional hold of the unresponsive lover. The repeated question, 'Ever gonna come?' underscores the uncertainty and longing that permeate the narrator's thoughts.

In the latter part of the song, the narrator questions the sincerity of the love interest, asking, 'Were you ever so sincere?' This line reveals a sense of betrayal and disillusionment. The narrator reflects on the lessons learned from falling for someone who is emotionally unavailable, as indicated by 'falling for a man in tears.' Despite the emotional turmoil, the narrator admits to being 'a little bit in love,' capturing the complexity of human emotions where love and pain often coexist.

The song ends on an unresolved note, leaving the listener with a sense of lingering longing and unanswered questions.

Lyrics

SPOILER: Click to show

Weekend in the Hamptons
All the wives were dressed in white
Leaving without laughing
While I wait for your reply
But it's never gonna come
I'm a little bit in love

Comes a time when silence
Melts away into the tides
Threw my phone in crisis
Wasn't aiming for your eyes
Never gonna come
I'm a little bit in love

[Instrumental Break]

I'm a little bit in love

I have one more question
Were you ever so sincere?
God, I learned my lesson
Falling for a man in tears
'Cause he only keeps me up
And he always calls my bluff

[Instrumental Break]

I'm a little bit in love
I'm a little bit in love

Until then I leave you with—

The Response: The Plea (Kuchi-san)

"Stop Loving Me"
Nicole Sabouné

'Stop Loving Me' shifts to a more direct confrontation - with the narrator's feelings and the relationship's future. They question the dynamics of their relationship, pondering the consequences of leaving or staying. They consider the impact of moving on, potentially finding new love, or the possibility of enduring the current relationship despite its flaws. Their reflections are marred by a sense of futility—wondering whether her efforts to nurture the relationship were in vain, and if she should continue holding on or let go.

The questions "Would you mind if I go?" and "Would you mind if I stay?" reflect the narrator's intense internal conflict. She contemplates leaving the man, potentially "kissing some other guy," but then questions if he even cared about her efforts in the relationship – "Could you see how I tried?" The lines "Let your confidence grow? / Held your head up high?" imply the narrator might have been supportive in the past. As the night progresses, symbolizing the darker moments of doubt and conflict, she feels a strong pull towards her partner, mixed with a growing sense of uncertainty. She wrestles with the idea of whether to hold on or to release her partner, allowing herself to be free from the constraints of a relationship that no longer seems fulfilling.

The repeated, "Ohh, how stupid of you to give up, Ohh, how stupid of me to give in," reflects the mutual regrets and realizations about the relationship's failure. This acknowledgment of mistakes from both sides adds a layer of vulnerability and self-awareness. Ultimately, the narrator reaches a moment of clarity, acknowledging the ease with which her partner has given up and the difficulty she has had in moving on. The repeated plea to "stop loving me" signifies a profound realization that holding onto a love that is no longer mutual is detrimental. It reflects her desire to break free from the cycle of hope and disappointment, to find peace and closure.

Therefore, the unanswered questions reach a conclusive decision.

Lyrics

SPOILER: Click to show

Would you mind if I go?
If I left you behind?
Drived your name in the mud?
And kissed some other guy?
Could you see how I tried?
How I made you fly?
Let your confidence grow?
Held your head up high?

Ohh, how stupid of you to give up
Ohh, how stupid of me to give in

When the night stops falling, I want you so, babe
And if the world starts falling, I wonder if I should let go
If your mind starts wondering, you should let go, babe
Just let me go, babe
Stop loving me

Would you mind if I stay?
If I hold on tied?
Try again and again?
Until the years gone by?
Or do you rather move on?
Find an other love?
Hold her tiedly at night?
And leavе me wondering why
Ohh, how easy of you to givе up
Ohh, how easy of me to give in

When the night stops falling, I want you so, babe
And if the world starts falling, I wonder if I should let go
If your mind starts wondering, you should let go, babe
Just let me go, babe
Stop loving me

[Instrumental]

When the night stops falling, I want you so, babe
And if the world starts falling, I wonder if I should let go
If your mind starts wondering, you should let go, babe
Just let me go, babe
Stop loving me

[Lᴇꜰ]

 
season 9 episode 4
call & response

---

for this week, inspired by maxima's camping experiences and surroundings, we decided to go for a liberation/resistance theme. and what better way to do this than showcasing 2 palestinian voices?

for the first song, we have a message of liberation and emancipation in "intifada on the dancefloor", a song by palestinian pop singer bashar murad. the song blends together dance pop elements with themes related to palestinian resistance and liberation, most notably in the songs' title, intifada. intifada is an Arabic term used in the context of palestinian civil uprising and rebellion. the chorus of the song, "intifada! intifada on the dancefloor! intifada! don't stop, give me more!" employs the arabic word for an uprising or resistance, linking the dance floor to a space for radical social and political change. the song also references the ongoing struggle for palestinian liberation and the call for solidarity across borders, with the line "from north to south, we welcome you."

Maxima XCX
"Intifada on the Dancefloor" - Bashar Murad


lyrics & translation

SPOILER: Click to show

Hired You
Who hired you?
The boss of the party
You popped up like a coil spring
We don't know, who exactly you are
We were having a blast til you showed up

Mockery!
What is this mockery?
You've come to us with your weapons
Like a lion
It's not clear, who exactly you are.
My gun shoots flowers that may adorn this city.

Surrender to the music,
Put your hands up, move your feet.
Break all the barriers that close in your face,
Don't think. Here we have no boundaries
Take off your shackles.
Here everything is available.
Whomever you may be,
north to south,
we welcome.

Sound the alarm,
Ring the bells,
Where is the warning?
Inform the neighbours
This place is about to be on fire.

Intifada
Intifada on the dance floor
Intifada
Intifada on the dance floor
Don't stop, give me more.

Up up up
Hands up, turn up the sound.

On the dance floor we have a battle
We keep on moving,
We keep on moving,
And we leave everything else up to fate
Don't ask me how or why:
On the dance floor we build a nation.

---

“stick of gum” by the canadian-palestinian singer-songwriter nemah hasan, a.k.a. nemahsis on the other hand, can be seen as a love letter to the singers' hometown. it carries itself in an exciting alternative led production, with nemahsis’ vocals piercing straight to the heart, culminating in an airy chant filled with memories, hope, and a willingness to endure consequences for the sake of understanding and harmony: “are you capable to reciprocate? no matter how high or heavy the take/a stick of gum into dynamite/you could plead guilty and I will do the time.”

paired with an equally stunning video filmed in the artist’s hometown of jericho, palestine, and featuring her entire family, the singer's goal was to show palestine in a light that has never been seen again. “stick of gum” transcends its role as a mere love song for the artist’s roots and emerges as a powerful declaration of resilience. through the lens of familial bonds and against the backdrop of her beloved jericho, nemahsis’ spirit and love shine forth, inviting listeners to join her for a simple stick of gum and empathy.

while our first song serves as a powerful anthem of liberation, we wanted to go a step forward with the second song and showcase a real image of the people who are fighting for that, a humanized one as nemahsis has described.

Toylet Swiffer
"Stick of Gum" - Nemahsis


lyrics & translation

SPOILER: Click to show

I swear if I showed you a song I made, you'd say it's not your taste
If anyone else but me wrote it, it's a masterpiece
(Di-doe-de-di-di-di-di)

Everything you do for love
Just double it and pass it back, uh-huh (uh-huh, uh-huh)
Someone tell me, uh-huh (uh-huh, uh-huh)
Are you capable to reciprocate?
No matter how high or heavy the take
A stick of gum, or dynamite
You could plead guilty and I would do the time

It's easier loving you
And I know why I need to
It's easier loving you
And I know why I need to
It's easier loving you
And I know why I need to

Is it healthy or is it just familiar to me?
(Di-doe-de-di-di-di-doe)
Self-worth by validation, that's my philosophy
(Di-doe-de-di-di-di-doe)

No need for you to reciprocate
No matter how high or heavy the take
A stick of gum into dynamite
You could plead guilty and I would do the time

It's easier loving you
And I know why I need to
It's easier loving you
And I know why I need to
It's easier loving you
And I know why I need to