A lyric says a thousand words

Two songs recently have come up on my radar and have proven themselves interesting in regards to the Jewish/Palestinian conflict. Interesting because of the songs themselves, and interesting because the two artists have no connection to Israel or the conflict here. When living here and being inundated with news that has (at best) questionable impartiality, sometimes an outside and unbiased, even if uninformed, voice is a welcome treat. And, in a market where "vacuous" has become the standard, it's also nice to hear something worth listening to.

One is a song from Lily Allen's new album "It's Not Me, It's You", entitled Him. Now, Lily Allen is not a musical genius but her lyrics and social commentary, covering topics from prescription drug abuse to the denigration of women to superficial societal values, are spot on. With this song, she addresses not the Middle East conflict itself but more religious fanaticism and terrorism, and makes us reflect on what God would think of our lives if He was one of us.

Lily Allen - Him (lyrics)

Ever since He can remember
People have died in His good name
Long before that September
Long before hijacking planes
He's lost the will, He can't decide
He doesn't know who's right or wrong
But there's one thing that He's sure of:
This has been going on too long.


Jay Brannan, on the other hand, I know little about. Except having a role in the film Shortbus, his claim to fame seems to be as a solo performer and recording artist. He wrote a song, after having come to Jerusalem to promote Shortbus, about Jerusalem and the conflict that goes on here and, while I take umbrage with the anti-religious tone of his lyrics, I still think he has some valid points about what the holiest place in both Judaism and Christianity has become.

Jay Brannan - Goddamned (lyrics)

I’m marching to Zion
A camera in my hand
I hear people cryin’
Dyin’ for this blood-stained land
The streets of old Jerusalem
Are lined with souvenirs and those buying them
It sounds cold, but I cannot see
How this theme park has shaped history.