By Marco den Ouden
Legacy proved to be a more complex subject than I expected. Probably because I tend to have a positive view of legacy that closely follows the dictionary definition as “the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’s life” (Oxford). This definition is neutral. Of course, legacies can be negative as well. And, for most people, their legacies are modest. Often it is just a matter of being important in the eyes of one’s loved ones. And being proud of one’s children and one’s modest achievements. These different nuances came through very clearly in the songs nominated.
We start with the famous and not so famous who did, in fact, have a strong impact on the future. Who left legacies that carry on, even today.
First up we have George Washington, American Revolutionary War hero and first president of the United States. In the musical drama Hamilton, General Washington tells his aide Alexander Hamilton, who longs to die in battle as a martyr for the cause, that he needs to think twice and not throw his life away recklessly. History Has Its Eyes on You, he tells him. Christopher Jackson plays Washington in the Broadway cast.
The movie Troy, starring Brad Pitt as the Greek hero Achilles, ends with the battle following the duping of the Trojans with the Trojan Horse. Hector’s brother Paris avenges his brother’s death by shooting an arrow at Achilles which happens to hit his vulnerable heel. Remember, sung by Josh Groban during the end credits, is a plea to his beloved Briseis to remember him. He tells her: “I'm with you whenever you tell my story for I am all I've done. Remember, I will still be here as long as you hold me in your memory. Remember me.”
We remember mighty warriors like Washington and Achilles, but in more modern times we also honour the foot soldiers of war. There are many statues to the unknown soldier, whose legacy of freedom also lives on. British Sea Power honours these unknown soldiers in Remember Me. Do watch the remarkable music video in which the statues of the fallen are movingly brought to life.
The Japanese trio Hitsujibungaku sing Hikaru Toki (When You Shine). The song compares legacy to following one’s destiny. “At the time that flower falls, although if it didn't know its role, I'm sure the people who were beside could understand it.”
I don’t buy into the fatalism of destiny. We choose our own destinies. But I like the sentiment of the song. “I'll say it again and again, / This world is so beautiful because you never give up on it.”
One man who never gave up on the world and strived to make it a better place is Martin Luther King Jr. Stevie Wonder honoured the great man in 1981 with the song Happy Birthday. The song has a story behind it. Wonder had long been campaigning for a national holiday to honour King. The song includes the lyrics: “I just never understood how a man who died for good could not have a day that would be set aside for his recognition.” Wonder’s campaign worked. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan made Martin Luther King Jr. Day an official holiday. King’s and Wonder’s legacy lives on.
Black America has made great strides since those days though much remains to be done. Jay-Z knows he will use his success and his wealth to continue the struggle. He enumerates some of his plans in Legacy. “Legacy, Legacy, Legacy, Legacy! Black excellence, you gon' let 'em see.”
Meanwhile in Jamaica, Errol Walker laments the violence and crime plaguing the island in his 1977 song Better Future. “I hope my life is spared to see the day when people won’t be scared to walk the street at night to buy the things they need without any threat from aggressors.” He yearns to provide a legacy of peace and “a better future for our children”.
We continue with two songs about fathers and sons. Mike Skinner of The Streets laments in Never Went to Church that his Dad left no physical memorabilia. “I miss you, Dad, but I've got nothing to remind me of you.” It takes a while for him to finally realise that he has some of his Dad’s mannerisms and habits. “When I do something like you, you'll be on my mind all through 'cause I forgot you left me behind to remind me of you.”
Mike Rutherford of Mike and the Mechanics regrets that he and his father were constantly at odds yet: “I know that I'm a prisoner to all my father held so dear. I know that I'm a hostage to all his hopes and fears.” But “It's too late when we die to admit we don't see eye to eye.” He wishes they had talked more in The Living Years.
Melissa Etheridge speaks of a different kind of legacy, a Silent Legacy. A silent legacy left by your genes. A silent legacy that has you fighting against efforts to change you because you’re different. “Craving the affection, your blood is full of heat. They don't listen to your reasons as original as sin. Deny all that you feel and they will bring you home again.” Sadly homophobia seems to be more rampant now than ever.
While many long to leave some sort of legacy, some know that they have led checkered lives. There’s good mixed in with the bad. Linkin Park sing: “When my time comes, forget the wrong that I've done. Help me leave behind some reasons to be missed. Don't resent me, and when you're feeling empty, keep me in your memory, Leave Out All the Rest.”
Tim Buckley is one of the average Joes. “Once I Was a soldier.” And yes, a good provider, and a lover too. But is that enough? He can’t help but “wonder just for a while, will you ever remember me.”
We close with a powerful reminder from Carole King. Is she speaking to someone in particular? Or is she speaking to all of us when she sings: “You better think about the Legacy that you want to leave behind. Things are getting wasted, out-of-hand, burnt-out, used-up, sold to the bottom line. Hey, that ain't the way it's gotta be. Oh, don't you want to leave a better world than you find? You can look down, turn aside, run away and hide but you can't put it out of your mind 'cause it's your legacy.”
What’s your legacy?
Heritage A-List Playlist:
History Has Its Eyes on You - Christopher Jackson (Loud Atlas)
Remember - Josh Groban (Shashvat Shukla)
Remember Me - British Sea Power (happyclapper)
Hikaru Toki (When You Shine) - Hitsujibungaku (ajostu)
Happy Birthday - Stevie Wonder (MussoliniHeadkick)
Legacy - Jay-Z (severin)
Better Future - Errol Walker (severin)
Never Went to Church - The Streets (barbryn)
The Living Years - Mike and the Mechanics (Loud Atlas)
Silent Legacy - Melissa Etheridge (Fred Erickson)
Leave Out All the Rest - Linkin Park (Shashvat Shukla)
Once I Was - Tim Buckley (MussoliniHeadkick)
Legacy - Carole King (Fred Erickson)
Birthright B-List Playlist:
Pass It On - Bob Marley & the Wailers (Uncleben)
This is the Voice - Oysterband (Suzi)
If She Wants Me - Belle & Sebastian (barbryn)
Legacy Continued - Patio (vanwolf2)
Circle of Life - Carmen Twillie & Lebo M (Loud Atlas)
Run Baby Run - Sheryl Crow (happyclapper)
Candle In the Wind - Elton John (Loud Atlas)
Legacy - Eminem with Polina (Loud Atlas)
The Gardener - Christy Moore (tincanman)
Malcom X - No Sell Out - Keith LeBlanc (MussoliniHeadkick)
I Will Remember You - Sarah McLachlan (Fred Erickson)
Nye: Song For the NHS - Martyn Joseph (Suzi)
Never Any Good - Martin Simpson (Suzi)
Remember the Heroes - Sammy Hagar (Fred Erickson)
Angel - The Corrs (Fred Erickson)
The World Was Wide Enough - Leslie Odom Jr. and Lin-Manuel Miranda (Loud Atlas)
A Little Soul - Pulp (ParaMhor)
Africa's Inside of Me - Arrested Development (Nilpferd)
Legacy - Pierce Pettis (Fred Erickson)
Legacy - Fefe Dobson (Fred Erickson)
As Long as You Love (Scarlet Wings) - Cindy Bullens (Fred Erickson)
The Singer - Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds (Shoegazer)
Sand and Water - Beth Nielsen Chapman (Fred Erickson)
Portrait of My Wife - Seth Lakeman (Suzi)
Bring 'em Down - Fairport Convention (Uncleben)
Think About the Children - Fanny (Uncleben)
Here's to You - Brooke Fraser (Fred Erickson)
Let's Talk About Tomorrow - Olivia Newton-John (Fred Erickson)
Legacy - Lowen & Navarro (Fred Erickson)
Hall of Fame - Andre Williams (tincanman)
Guru’s Wildcard Pick:
Rise Again - The Rankin Family
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations in response to last week's topic: What's left behind? Songs about legacy. The next topic will launch on Thursday at 1pm UK time.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...
Fancy a turn behind the pumps at The Song Bar? Care to choose a playlist from songs nominated and write something about it? Then feel free to contact The Song Bar here, or try the usual email address. Also please follow us social media: Song Bar Twitter, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube, and Song Bar Instagram. Please subscribe, follow and share.
Song Bar is non-profit and is simply about sharing great music. We don’t do clickbait or advertisements. Please make any donation to help keep the Bar running: