Music Choices for "The Metamorphosis" Animation
Today I did a QC (quality control) with my lecturer and we discussed exploring different music options, preferably with some cultural/historical context involved.
Deutschland erwache! (Heil Hitler dir)
SS Marschlied - Es zittern die morschen Knochen
These two songs, I believe, are banned in Germany and you could go in prison for up to three years for singing them, using them, or whatever-ing them (outside educational purposes). They're interesting options because it practically BLEEDS Anti-Semitism, especially if you take a look at the lyrics:
Es zittern die morschen Knochen
German lyrics[2]Approximate translation[4]
note: translation is inaccurate and does not match up line-by-line
Es zittern die morschen Knochen, Der Welt vor dem großen Krieg, Wir haben den Schrecken gebrochen, Für uns war's ein großer Sieg.
The rotten bones are trembling, Of the World for [because of] the great War. We have smashed this terror, For us it was a great victory.
Wir werden weiter marschieren Wenn alles in Scherben fällt, Denn heute erhört uns Deutschland Und morgen die ganze Welt.
We will continue to march, When everything shatters; Because today Germany hears/recognizes us, And tomorrow the whole World. (repeat)
Und liegt vom Kampfe in Trümmern Die ganze Welt zuhauf, Das soll uns den Teufel kümmern, Wir bauen sie wieder auf. refrain
And if there lies in ruins from battle The whole world, therefore the devil may care; We build it up again.
Und mögen die Alten auch schelten, So laßt sie nur toben und schrei'n, Und stemmen sich gegen uns Welten, Wir werden doch Sieger sein.
And may the old people chide, So just let them rage and scream, And [even] if worlds decide to fight us, We will still be victors. refrain
Sie wollen das Lied nicht begreifen, Sie denken an Knechtschaft und Krieg Derweil unsere Äcker reifen, Du Fahne der Freiheit, flieg!
They don't want to understand the song, They think of slavery and war. Meanwhile, our acres ripen, Flag of freedom, fly!
Wir werden weiter marschieren, Wenn alles in Scherben fällt; Die Freiheit stand auf in Deutschland Und morgen gehört ihr die Welt.
We will continue to march, When everything shatters; Freedom rose in Germany, And tomorrow the world belongs to it ["it" meaning "freedom", not Germany].
Deutschland erwache/Heil Hitler dir
German lyrics[5]Approximate translation
Deutschland erwache aus deinem bösen Traum! Gib fremden Juden in deinem Reich nicht Raum! Wir wollen kämpfen für dein Auferstehn Arisches Blut soll nicht untergehn!
Germany awake from your nightmare! Give foreign Jews no place in your Reich! We will fight for your resurgence! Aryan blood shall never perish!
All diese Heuchler, wir werfen sie hinaus, Juda entweiche aus unserm deutschen Haus! Ist erst die Scholle gesäubert und rein, Werden wir einig und glücklich sein!
All these hypocrites, we throw them out, Judea leave our German house! If the native soil is clean and pure, we united and happy will be!
Wir sind die Kämpfer der N.S.D.A.P. Treudeutsch im Herzen, im Kampfe fest und zäh. Dem Hakenkreuze ergeben sind wir. Heil unserm Führer, Heil Hitler dir!
We are the fighters of the N.S.D.A.P. True Germans in heart, in battles firm and tough. To the Swastika, devoted are we Hail our Leader, Hail Hitler to thee!
One Of Us - Joan Osborne
It talks about God, and it talks about religion, and these are both minor themes in The Metamorphosis. It talks mostly about God being alienated from humankind, which I think is a great change of perspective.
Let It Happen - Tame Impala
Colour Fade - Funeral Suits
These last two songs were chosen because of their psychedelic-y song, though Noel Gallagher is a third option. Since my animation is quite meta, I thought these would be great songs to build a film on. In fact, I was basing my video off on Colour Fade---I tend to base my films on music rather than base the music on the film---but my lecturer suggested something else.
Happy Home - Garbage
Great song, and though the lyrics are interesting this doesn't quite fit into the animation.
Hey You - Pink Floyd
This is what I ended up using. Slow and a bit grainy here and there, perfect for the black-and-white animation I'm going for. This also has quite an interesting history behind it. It's part of a live-action/animated surreal musical film titled "The Wall", which you can watch here:
Basically "The Wall" is about a guy who alienates himself from society by building a mental (and sometimes) physical wall around himself. However, it backfires and he soons find himself trying to find a way out, calling out to people over the wall. I really like this because, connected to Franz Kafka and The Metamorphosis, there is a wall between them and the Anti-Semitists, built by both the anti-semitists and themselves.
Walking In My Shoes - Depeche Mode
Another great song, great lyrics, though not quite right for the animation.
In a way I'm actually glad my lecturer told me to switch songs, because thinking back the theme "alienation" didn't really show in the animation. I mean, it was meta and had visual components from The Metamorphosis and WWII and all, but it wasn't quite "alienation" yet. I think "Hey You" is that missing puzzle piece and although I only slept for three hours last night trying to get it all together, I think it's worth it.
Here's to Franz Kafka and The Metamorphosis!