"Good Vibes"

Good vibes
We’re bringing only good vibes
People walking around talking down on others
You can't know yourself without knowing about the other
And I know
That aint the right way to go

I've got a hunch that we don’t want to diss
Let’s move away from hate and prejudice
The racist man yeah he's full of it
Let’s learn about the culture opposite
Don't judge a book by the cover
People take a look at the world and discover
That beauty is the word that I think of when I see the different colors of skin
And I'll rejoice and sing for them

The hatred keeps building up
The tension keeps on building up
The hatred keeps building up
The racism is killing us

When we come around
Try to keep compassion on the ground
Feel a sense of freedom with crowd
Connecting people with the sound

Well it’s a choice to be grateful
People focus on the enemy that's hateful
The daily news has got a picture of a man, they say I'm supposed to hate
So great, just another stereotype to make

Too many times that I've seen the wrong signs
Back up with your hatred in life
Cuz we’re bringing only good vibes
Bringing only good vibes
Too many times that I've seen the wrong signs
Empty out the hatred in life
We're bringing only good vibes

 

This song entitled "Good Vibes" is in the style of reggae. Reggae music is known for its social criticism and often talks about love and socializing as well as anti racism/ anti prejudice. This song particularly is commenting on all the hate and stereotypes we are faced with in today's society. The first lines talk about how people are constantly talking down on others in order to know who they are as an individual which is not right. The next few lines are encouraging words stating for people to go out and look at the different ways people live, although it might be cliche, you really cant "judge a book by its cover" because you never know what the other person may be going through. This song, as well as Reggae in general often uses cliches like this in songs to further prove a point that listeners can more easily understand and relate to. Because of this use of cliche, Reggae can in a way be similar to Carpe Diem poems, which also often talk about love, using cliches to do so. Rebelution (band of the song) is becoming an increasingly popular group with high schoolers, which i believe is appropriate because they talk about things such as prejudice and stereotypes which is something every high schooler has to deal with. Personally, i have never felt like i was a victim of prejudice or stereotype but i see it happen way to often in school and it gets to be very unsettling. The things kids say to one another is just vulgar and rude. And i think Rebeltion brings up a very good point that people feel the need to talk down on each other in order to figure out their own identity. Its sad but true, and this song is commenting on that exactly. Our minds have been wired to think certain things about certain groups of people because of what we see happening in the news and media and we, without thinking about it, apply these thoughts to everyday life. "Good Vibes" is encouraging us to see past these awful stereotypes and learn to appreciate one another, see life through the others eyes and understand what they might be going through. Many of these encouragements are ones we hear over and over again, but they are important and often forgotten. As a teenager in this generation i believe commentary like what is said in this song is very important to pay attention to and learn from, because we really never know what another person may be going through.