LYRICS
Mercury flew
To inform of knew
The evidence
Of our commerce
In fact,
With speed and impact
Chorus:
Running rings around the sun
Time our damage is undone
With the Earth, we are one
Age of Knew/New has begun
Icarus
Like us
Ignored the warning
We’re warming
Hubris and consequences
Brought on this
Our offenses’ expenses
Chorus
Phoenix
Rise quick
From the flame
Our new game
What can be
Renewed energy
Regenerate
Minus the hate
Adorn a new fashion
Renew compassion
Rise above
Alive with love
Chorus
- Oh-My-God-Part-I.mp3 (unplugged to save energy)
- Oh-My-God-Part-II.mp3
- Oh-My-God-Part-II-Instrumental.mp3
- Oh-My-God-Casio-WK-3500.MID
- Oh-My-God-Yamaha-PSR-740.MID
Chords: F# C# B / B C# F# / D B / B C# F# / A B F# / C# B F#; Part II @ 128 Beats Per Minute
Instrumentation: Vocals (TC-Helicon VOICELIVE and MiniNova Vocorder), Ibanez Acoustic Guitar (AW54CE), Ibanez Electric RG-270 (Boss Digital Delay), Fender Jazz Bass (Boss Digital Delay), Keyboards (Korg PS60, Casio WK-3500, Yamaha PSR-740, MiniNova, MicroKorg)
THE INTERPRETATION
The lyrics of the song “Oh My God!” convey a narrative related to climate change and human impact on the environment. Here’s an interpretation of each section:
- Mercury’s Flight:
- Symbolic Messenger: Mercury, a symbol of speed and communication, is portrayed as a messenger delivering evidence of the impact of human activities, particularly commerce, on the environment.
- Speed and Impact: The mention of “speed and impact” suggests that the consequences of human actions are swift and far-reaching, affecting the natural world.
- Chorus:
- Running Rings Around the Sun: The imagery of running rings around the sun signifies the continuous cycle of time and the urgency to address and undo the damage caused by human activities.
- Unity with Earth: The chorus emphasizes unity with the Earth, suggesting that recognizing and rectifying the environmental damage is essential to harmonizing with the planet. The “Age of Knew/New” indicates a new era marked by awareness and understanding.
- Icarus’s Tale:
- Ignoring Warnings: The reference to Icarus reflects the human tendency to disregard warnings and continue behaviors that contribute to global warming. “Hubris and consequences” underscore the idea that arrogance and overconfidence lead to detrimental outcomes.
- Expenses of Offenses: The consequences of human actions are described as “offenses’ expenses,” highlighting the costs associated with environmental damage and the need to address them.
- Chorus (Repeated):
- Reiteration: The repeated chorus reinforces the themes of acknowledging our interconnectedness with the Earth, the urgency to reverse environmental damage, and the onset of a new era marked by awareness.
- Phoenix’s Symbolism:
- Renewal and Regeneration: The phoenix symbolizes renewal and regeneration, suggesting that it is possible to rise from the metaphorical ashes of environmental degradation.
- Renewed Energy and Compassion: The call for “Renewed energy” extends beyond environmental energy to encompass a rejuvenated commitment to compassion and love for the planet, as implied by “Renew compassion.”
- Rising Above: The closing lines encourage rising above destructive habits and fostering a lifestyle driven by love and care for the environment.
In summary, “Oh My God!” employs mythical elements to convey a message of environmental awareness, the consequences of human actions, and the potential for positive change and renewal. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the urgency and significance of the themes presented in the song.
THE CHARACTERS
How are the Mercury, Icarus and the phoenix metaphors for human induced climate change?
Mercury was the Roman god of commerce, who was known for being able to mediate between the gods and the mortal world. He protected both the merchants and the people who were involved in circulation. His winged feet made him incredibly fast, and he was also known for being able to carry messages and goods with him.
In Greek mythology, Icarus was the son of the master craftsman Daedalus, the architect of the labyrinth of Crete. Icarus ignored Daedalus’s instructions not to fly too close to the sun, causing the beeswax in his wings to melt. Icarus fell from the sky, plunged into the sea, and drowned. The myth gave rise to the idiom, “fly too close to the sun.”
The phoenix is an immortal bird that cyclically regenerates or is otherwise born again. While it is part of Greek mythology, it has analogs in many cultures such as Egyptian and Persian. Associated with the sun, a phoenix obtains new life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor.
CLIMATE CHANGE METAPHORES
Metaphorically, these mythological figures can be related to human-induced climate change in the following ways:
- Mercury:
- Mediation and Commerce: Mercury’s role as a mediator between gods and mortals can be seen as a metaphor for humanity’s role in mediating the impacts of climate change. Humans have the capacity to influence and regulate the commercial and industrial activities that contribute to environmental changes.
- Speed and Impact: Mercury’s swift nature, represented by his winged feet, can symbolize the rapid pace of human activities and their impact on the environment. The speed at which industries and commerce operate can lead to consequences that affect the planet swiftly.
- Icarus:
- Hubris and Consequences: Icarus’s tragic story is often interpreted as a cautionary tale against human hubris and overreaching ambitions. Similarly, human activities related to climate change, driven by excessive consumption and disregard for nature’s limits, can be seen as a form of hubris. Ignoring the warnings, such as flying too close to the sun, may result in dire consequences.
- Ignored Warnings: Daedalus warned Icarus about the dangers of flying too close to the sun, just as scientists and environmentalists warn about the consequences of unsustainable practices. Ignoring these warnings and continuing on a path of environmental degradation can lead to irreversible damage.
- Phoenix:
- Cyclic Regeneration: The phoenix’s ability to cyclically regenerate and rise from its ashes is a metaphor for the potential resilience and regenerative capacity of nature. Despite the damage caused by human activities, there is hope for renewal and regeneration if humans take corrective actions.
- Renewable Energy: The association of the phoenix with the sun aligns with the growing focus on renewable energy sources as a sustainable alternative. Transitioning to cleaner energy practices can be seen as a form of rebirth and renewal for the planet.
In summary, these mythological figures serve as allegorical representations that can help us understand different aspects of human-induced climate change, from the consequences of unchecked actions (Icarus) to the potential for renewal and positive change (Phoenix).
Music as a Universal Language: Music has the power to communicate emotions universally. Certain melodies, harmonies, or rhythms can evoke specific feelings that resonate with people across different cultures and backgrounds.
ExperiMental Music: The music and lyrics are written and recorded extemporaneously. Extemporaneous, spontaneous, improvisation, jamming, freestyle, and impromptu music are most closely related to pure chaos. The music and lyrics evolve from the “sensitive initial conditions” similar to “a butterfly flapping its wings in China causing a hurricane in the Atlantic.”
The Science of Chaos Theory, String Theory, and Music