Songs of Envy
Friday, March 20, 2009
Our Friday series Seven Sins: The Deadly Medley continues with a look at how the deadly sins have shaped music from a variety of genres. Today: Envy. Our guests include two music critics: Jon Caramanica, who writes about pop, hip hop and country for the New York Times, and Carolina Gonzalez, contributor to the New York Daily News and co-author of Nueva York: the Complete Guide to Latino Life in the Five Boroughs.
Comments [33]
I shuddered as I heard the 'explanation' between jealously and envy being announced over the radio. The commenter from Brooklyn is WRONG! I believe some other commenters tried to correct the mistake and gave the real difference between envy and jealously.
Has everything to do with what you have, and nothing to do with whether or not it is an object or person.
Envy is when you want something someone else has that you do not have, jealously is wanting to keep something you already have, and have a fear of losing.
"Bring Me Some Water" by Melissa Etheridge.
Also "Dylan's Song" by the band BigWig
Lyrics:
http://www.sing365.com/music/Lyric.nsf/Dylan%27S-Song-lyrics-Bigwig/11EF9653C74FC99B48256D0A002F7FB4
Jealousy means you'd like to have something that you lack. A personal quality or material possession or something else you want. Envy is destructive. You don't have it, you lack it and you don't want the other person to have it either. You actively work to destroy what the other person has.
I always liked the Smiths - Paint a Vulgar Picture =
I touched you at the soundcheck
You had no real way of knowing
In my heart I begged "Take me with you ...
I don't care where you're going..."
But to you I was faceless
I was fawning, I was boring
Just a child from those ugly new houses
Who could never begin to know
"Jude Law and a Semester Abroad" by the band Brand New
Lyrics found here:
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Jude-Law-And-A-Semester-Abroad-lyrics-Brand-New/C35F518AD87C894448256C05001346EC
How are you not gonna talk about Elvis Costello? Just off the top of my head I'm thinking about I Want You and I Hope You're Happy Now from Blood and Chocolate, but he's got tons of them.
How are you not gonna talk about Elvis Costello? Just off the top of my head I'm thinking about I Want You and I Hope You're Happy Now from Blood and Chocolate, but he's got tons of them.
The distinction between envy and jealousy has nothing to do with the nature of the objects of affection. Envy refers to the feeling of wanting a thing or a person that belongs to someone else. Jealousy refers to the feeling of wanting to protect and hold on to what one has. Thus, Othello was jealous of Desdemona. Granted, though, that in common parlance "jealousy" is often used to mean "envy," but never the other way around. (You would never say that Othello envied Desdemona.)
I'm not sure if "girls stealing your boyfriend"songs count but if they do then:
Salt & Pepa "I'll take your man"
Skyy "Call me"
The Smiths = Paint a Vulgar Picture
I touched you at the soundcheck
You had no real way of knowing
In my heart I begged "Take me with you ...
I don't care where you're going..."
But to you I was faceless
I was fawning, I was boring
Just a child from those ugly new houses
Who could never begin to know
Hey has anyone mentioned Skee-Lo's I wish? Please say hi to Niki in Portland OR.
Ironic: "Richard Cory," Paul Simon (Them covered it too).
"What did I Have That I don't Have?" from Broadway Show "on a Clear Day you can see forever" about a woman who is jealous of the qualities her reincarnated self uses to attract hypnotist/therapist.
I immediately think of bob dylan.... here is a hilarious example dylan getting away with jealousy and anger by using humor to cover it up. he does it often.
from leopard-skin pill box hat:
Well, I saw him
Makin' love to you
You forgot to close the garage door
You might think he loves you for your money
But I know what he really loves you for
It's your brand new leopard-skin pill-box hat
How about the Special AKA, "What I like most about you is your girlfriend"
At least he's honest!
How about Wicked's "I'm Not that Girl"?
Spanish Song:
Hombres G, Devuelveme a mi Chica
How about Leanne Rimes song "Big Deal" - Envy for the other girl or guy getting all the love....
One of my favorites is "Everybody's Got Nice Stuff But Me" by the Dead Milkmen.
Rod Stewart, Some guys Have All The Luck
I LOVES YOU PORGY
NINA SIMONE
How about "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" by Morrissey:
We hate it when our friends become successful
We hate it when our friends become successful
Oh, look at those clothes
Now look at that face, it's so old
And such a video !
Well, it's really laughable
Ha, ha, ha ...
We hate it when our friends become successful
And if they're Northern, that makes it even worse
And if we can destroy them
You bet your life we will
Destroy them
If we can hurt them
Well, we may as well ...
It's really laughable
Ha, ha, ha ...
You see, it should've been me
It could've been me
Everybody knows
Everybody says so
Seems to fit the bill!
The most AMAZING song about jealousy:
I'm Just A Jealous Guy by John Lennon
Is John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" too obvious?
like trying to be friends with the school bully who keeps telling you how lame you are?
There was a piece on the Leonard Lopate show about envy vs. jealousy.
Envy is between a person and an object. You envy your neighbors new car for example.
Jealousy is between three people. You are jealous that your mom likes your brother better than you.
I'm not sure it's really envy or some other sin, but -- Del Shannon, Hats off to Larry
As of a fan of some hip-hop, I am unable to listen to most popular hip-hop and rap because of the presupposition that I am envious of the rapper's lifestyle, skills or riches. Why are people so drawn to these listening to themes that are constantly telling them how weak they are?
David Watts is great; Jesse's Girl has gotta be in there somewhere.
I'm Straight by The Modern Lovers
Suspicion by Terry Stafford (and a great cover by the Bonzo Dog Dooh Dah Band with Vivian Stanshall)
Two Sisters by the Kinks
David Watts.
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