They say your heart is just a beatbox for the song of your life. And every era has an anthem that resonates with that generation. It echoes their thoughts, feelings, aspirations, frustrations and so much more. But can a song truly change your ways? American singer Lady Gaga seems to think so. The singer aims to encourage people to put down their cellphones and simply connect with people.
Speaking about her latest album, Joanne, she shared, “The point of this record was to find that human connection with the world in a deeper way.” Joanne is not the first album that attempts to bring about a change, and will probably not be the last. That’s why we decided to quiz celebs about their picks for inspirational songs that have changed the world and their lives.
Neeti Mohan
Singer
WORLD CHANGER: We Are The World by Michael Jackson. I remember how different artistes came together for Africa and Haiti. This was a unity anthem that showed generations how each one of us have a responsibility towards the world.
MY INSPIRATION: A song that has inspired me would be John Lennon’s Imagine. It showed me how every dream can be achievable with the right kind of dedication.
Raftaar
Rapper
WORLD CHANGER: Where Is The Love? by Black Eyed Peas. It addresses one of the biggest concerns of our society today - terrorism.
MY INSPIRATION: A song that has inspired me would be Bobby McFerrin’s Don’t Worry Be Happy. It teaches you how happiness is an internal choice and there are good days and bad days, but that happiness shouldn’t be dependent on external forces.
Nachiket Barve
Designer
WORLD CHANGER: The Happy Birthday song. It’s sung the same way across the world in many languages. What an amazing unifier!
MY INSPIRATION: Personally, though, many songs have inspired me. Some motivate me, some move me, some relax me. It’s difficult to pick just one.
Kailash Kher
Singer
WORLD CHANGER: Earth Song by MJ. It awakened sensibilities and encouraged people to become better human beings. Also, Louis Armstrong’s What A Wonderful World that encouraged people to see the beauty around them and to appreciate the world they live in.
MY INSPIRATION: Personally, SD Burman’s Prem Ke Pujari changed me a lot. I was at a very vulnerable stage in my life and could have easily gone astray. This song changed my life. When I heard the lyrics and the passion with which it was sung, it gave me hope to go on and make my dreams a reality.
Rajat Arora
Filmmaker, Writer
WORLD CHANGER: Film lyrics, for me are a treasure box of diverse emotions. Dil dhoondta hai phir wahi fursat ke raat din...is the philosophy of my life in nine words! I can go on and on...
MY INSPIRATION: There’s a Hindi film song for every occasion, for every mood. If I’m feeling down and out, Ruk jaana nahi tu kahi haar ke... is the best motivation ever. Ek baar waqt se lamha gira kahi... is pure metaphysics!
Sunil Padwal
Artist
WORLD CHANGER: I think the one song that makes everyone get up and dance is We Will Rock You. It’s like an anthem of all rock songs. There is an emotional attachment with the song and it does something to the heartbeat.
MY INSPIRATION: I personally prefer listening to Indian classical songs and ghazals. A ghazal that I’m really fond of is Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo by Farida Khanum. It reminds me of the romance of college days and when you want to create an artwork, it goes perfectly well with the mood.
Quasar Thakore Padamsee
Theatre Director
WORLD CHANGER: I think Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb speaks to all of us. Although it was not written in the digital age, the song is very much in keeping with this generation, where we don’t care what’s happening around us and we are so engrossed in our gadgets that we have become numb to each others’ feelings. So that is a universal song that speaks to everyone.
MY INSPIRATION: Personally, there’s a song called Acrobat by U2, which I kind of keep going back to, to look for inspiration. Part of it is the darkness, part of it is the lyrics — And I must be an acrobat/ To talk like this and act like that/ And you can dream/ so dream out loud, And don’t let the bast**ds grind you down. So there’s a certain call for action and a sense of rebellion.
LIST OF SONGS WE THINK CHANGED THE WORLD
MJ’s Heal The World: An anthem for change, to make the world a better place to live in
MJ’s Black or White: Highlighting racism, and calling for people to accept everyone irrespective of the colour of their skin.
Black Eyed Peas’s Where Is The Love: This one echoed the hurt people were feeling because of all the pain, the terror attacks and all the hate around. Encouraging people to just stop the hate, and feel the love for a change.
Lady Gaga’s Born This Way: It became an anthem for LGBTQ and the marginalised sections of society, encouraging them to accept themselves.
Buggles’ Video Killed the Radio Star: It was a masterpiece about how the rise of the pop video would spell doom for the less photogenic performer.
John Lennon’s Imagine: The track conveyed Lennon’s wish for world peace and harmony, and found resonance across the globe.
Queen’s I want to break free: It’s an iconic song as it was seen as an anthem for the fight against oppression.
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