In “Sonny’s Blues” it is said that Sonny had a drug problem, heroine. Sonny becomes addicted as a young adult because of his surroundings. He also has a passion for music. It is described that he played every chance he could. His dream is to become a jazz piano player but when he tries to tell his older brother, he just tells him that he is wasting his time. He does not believe in Sonny’s dreams. In order to get himself off of the drugs, he leaves and joins the military. When he returns he continues his passion for music and is able to finally communicate with his brother when he performs at a nightclub. He is able to put into music the words that he could not get across in any other way.
In the song “Otherside” by Macklemore, he describes his journey into addiction because of his surroundings as a young adult. He is also passionate about his music but is unable to make music while addicted. Macklemore also faces people who do not believe in him being a rapper because he is white. For both Macklemore and Sonny, their addiction was related to their music. It was typical for jazz players to be on heroin or another type of drug while playing. Similarly, in Macklemore’s song “Otherside” he describes how drinking cough syrup and getting high is the norm and even looked up to for making good music. In the chorus line: “Oh I want to sail away from here,” Macklemore resembles Sonny because he too describes how he wants to leave so that he may get away from his addiction. They both succeed in getting clean and go back to enjoying their passion of making music. Just as Sonny used his jazz to communicate to his brother about his journey, macklemore uses this song to communicate to other addicts and help them understand that it is possible to get out of their addiction.
While the forms of music between the two are different, Sonny and Macklemore share a connection by their similar paths through drug addictions, passion for their music, and will to communicate to others through their music.
Hey Heather this was a really good connection that you made with the short story Sonny’s Blues and the song Otherside. I have never heard of this song but by you giving it so much detail I can see how both of these pieces have a connection. I love how you told about the struggles that they face in the early part of their life but then you also showed how they got clean from their addiction because of their music. I look forward to you post every week because you relate things to stuff I would have never thought of.
ReplyDeleteHeather, I like the connection you made between the short story and the song by Macklemore. I wasn’t familiar with this song until now but I can see that connection very clearly. I agree with what you said that both Sonny and Macklemore have a highly distinct passion for music. I like how you said that both of them use music as a way to reach out to other people and telling them their experiences. In the story, Sonny’s brother was able to understand his struggles through Sonny’s music and made him more sympathetic. I truly enjoyed reading this post and great job.
ReplyDeleteYou're brilliant, every last one of you! I have enjoyed reading your posts!
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