Songs with Existential Themes, Part 1

In this episode, I review themes of disenchantment, nihilism, and religious faith as they show up in Rock the Machine by Lisa O'Neill, Do Nothing by The Specials, and God's Song by Randy Newman. Rock the Machine Lyrics Audio Clip 1 I'm losing will, love My hands are soft as cotton gloves Machine has eaten up my job My meaning, my cause Audio Clip 2 Today, dear, I'm unemployed Before I spoke, you read my eyes I feared of nothing or no one But I feel old and I'm so young I miss the graft, I miss the boys I plead for purpose in the void Time is inward, ticking tighter I wish my load was a mountain lighter Audio Clip 3 River rock the machine until it dies River rock the machine down on the docks River rock the machine until it stops Do Nothing Lyrics Audio Clip 1 Each day I walk along this lonely street Trying to find, find a future New pair of shoes are on my feet Cause fashion is my only culture Nothing ever change, oh no Nothing ever change People say to me just be yourself It makes no sense to follow fashion How could I be anybody else I don't try, I've got no reason Nothing ever change, oh no Nothing ever change I'm just living in a life without meaning I walk and walk, do nothing I'm just living in a life without feeling I talk and talk, say nothing Audio Clip 2 They're just living in a life without meaning I walk and walk, do nothing They're just playing in a life without thinking They talk and talk, say nothing I'm just living in a life without feeling I walk and walk, I'm dreaming I'm just living in a life without feeling I talk and talk, say nothing I'm just living in a life without meaning I walk and walk, do nothing God's Song Lyrics Audio Clip 1 Cain slew Abel, Seth knew not why For if the children of Israel were to multiply Why must any of the children die? So he asked the Lord And the Lord said: Man means nothing, he means less to me Than the lowliest cactus flower Or the humblest Yucca tree He chases round this desert 'Cause he thinks that's where I'll be That's why I love mankind Audio Clip 2 And they began to speak They said, "Lord, a plague is on the world Lord, no man is free The temples that we built to you Have tumbled into the sea Lord, if you won't take care of us Won't you please, please let us be?" And the Lord said And the Lord said: I burn down your cities, how blind you must be I take from you your children and you say, "how blessed are we?" You all must be crazy to put your faith in me That's why I love mankind You really need me That's why I love mankind