In his song “American Privilege,” Allen Stone challenges Americans way of life and the privilege we have simply by being American. The song specifically targets white Americans and their mounting privilege– whether it is realized or unrealized. Stone has a particular fixation throughout the song on consumerism, and how Americans waste and expend their money with little thought.

Oh, it doesn’t seem right
That I – I was born white
And my parents don’t fight
Told me they love me each night

Stone begins his song by discussing his innate privilege as a white American. He describes that he had happy, married parents who were supportive of him. For many Americans, this is a reality for them because they were born with these privileges. Stone goes on to give more examples of American privilege.

I don’t lose sleep for kids sewing my sheets
Or the ones stitching my sneaks
As long as I can buy ’em both cheap

Stone then goes on to expand on his idea of American privilege by criticizing many Americans ideal of consumerism. He attacks Americans for not caring how their materials were made, who made them, or the conditions they were made in as long as they don’t have to pay a lot of money to get them. In both of these stanzas, Stone is taking things that many Americans take for granted and making them think about what those things truly mean about them and their privilege. His articulation of how easy his (and other Americans) life is compared to others provides an introspective opinion that would make many Americans think twice about their privilege.

American privilege is blurring my vision
Inherited sickness

Although short, I think the chorus of this song is incredibly powerful. Stone is saying that although many Americans enjoy their lives and the privilege that comes with it, he believes the privilege Americans have to be a sickness. In a haze of his privilege, Stone is struggling to make the right decisions in light of his privilege. I think this is true for many Americans. They are blurred by privilege they often don’t know they have, so they inherit a disease most Americans have.

Overall, I believe this song to be poetry. I think Stone eloquently puts into perspective American privilege in a way that is presentable and not overbearing to Americans. By constantly using “I,” Stone does not place the blame on us as listeners, making us more willing to listen to what it has to the important, reflective, and necessary messages it has. .

by. Jonah Oufkir

Lost in the woods, by Johnathan Groff is an amazing song that connects to more of a relationship between what seems like a lost soul. and refers to the protagonist as lost in the woods when his love isn’t there.

The song connects to me and Johnathan groff goes over a topic that many people experience if in a relationship or not. the feeling of being lost when you need help being guided is something all of us feel at one point in our lives. If its your mother, father, or lover who is to guide you we’ve all felt lost.

“But is this what it feels like to growning apart

when did I become the one whos always chasing you’re heart

now I turn around and find I am Lost in the woods

North is south right is left when you’re gone.”

Johnathan groff uses the Idea of north is south and left is right to explain his confusion and lost feelings. He wants to stay together in this love but is confused by what this separation could mean for his relationship in the end. he wants to be found by love. he explains to the listener how he doesn’t want to be left alone but its hard to watch what he loves run away.

“Up till now the next step was a questions of heart

I never thought it was a question of weather.

who am I if I’m if I’m not your guy

where am I if were not together.“

This specific part in the song talks about questioning ones beliefs about a relationship. A hard part most relationships go through. he see that Johnathan speaks of having self identity from another person’s presence even find home in there words. which makes this song very powerful to me.

https://genius.com/Jonathan-groff-lost-in-the-woods-lyrics