Everlast Song Argument What Its Like - 1562 Words

Sydney Sanders English 305 Professor Michael Harrold 1 February 2011 Song Argument Essay â€Å"What it’s Like† by Everlast is a song that tells not one but three different stories. It touches on homelessness, abortion and drug violence. Three very relevant topics, despite its 1998 release date. The song cautions those who are quick to judge and reminds us all, to take second look. The song also argues that the listener may one day find themselves in a similar situation and they may one day be the homeless person, the girl walking into the clinic or the family member of a drug dealer. Everlast does something very effective when making any argument; he puts a face to the issue he is discussing. The argument in this song is maybe not as†¦show more content†¦I believe this makes the songs argument much stronger, and much more human which is extraordinarily important when one is arguing about human issues. Everlast is not a band with several members; it’s actually the solo project of Erik Schrody who was a former member of an Irish Hip-Hop group called House of Pain. The group ended in 1996. What It’s Like was Schrody’s first single after his exit from the group and became his most well-known. The song was released as a single first and then later on an album titled â€Å"Whitey Ford Sings the Blues†. The song was released after Schrody quit drinking and found religion. A listener knowing this might realize why he was so reflective and cautioning those who felt they could never be â€Å"one of those people†. He knew exactly how the characters he created felt. The style of the song is very crucial in how it comes across to the listener. It is a simple song with a mellow sound and a focus on the lyrics. The song consists of Everlast’s deep, dark voice and use of often graphic words. This song is consistent with the artist’s usual style and combines elements of hip-hop and blues. The sound of the acoustic guitar and the steady beat of the drum highlight the story being told instead of drowning it out, like many songs do. The edgy style of the song lends itself to the message being sent. Great songs are ones that are never outdated, they are songs that generations later, remain relevant and worth