POEM & SONG COMPARISON

(JAMES) LANGSTON HUGHES

(February 1, 1901- May 22, 1967) Langston Hughes was an African American writer and poet from Joplin, Missouri. He lived in Kansas with his grandmother until he was 13 then moved to Ohio where he was able to attend high school. Hughes is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes had a lot of pride in his African American heritage as he lived during the times when blacks were highly criticized. The themes of his poetry centered on supportive views of working class blacks in America depicting lives full of struggle, joy, laughter, and music. "My seeking has been to explain and illuminate the Negro condition in America and obliquely that of all human kind,” said Hughes. In his work, he focused aggressively on racial stereotyping and highly apposed the present social conditions. Hughes is remembered for expanding the image of African Americans in the first half of the 1900s. Langston Hughes was a “people’s poet” who motivated blacks to work hard and keep hope with poems such as “Dreams”, “Dream Keeper”, and “Life is Fine”.

QUEEN

(1970- current) Queen is a British Rock Band that formed in 1970 and is considered to be one of the greatest British rock bands of all time. Known greatly for its groundbreaking work and live performances, Queen became world famous selling over 300 million records as of today and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Queen’s most famous album is “Night at the Opera” which sold over 3 million copies and was as high as #4 on US charts. The members of the band were inspired by almost every genre of music including hard rock, heavy rock, country, and opera. Queen created songs that included audience participation such as “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions” in order to add uniqueness in their music. By molding all types of music together, Queen created a new style of music that has become very popular. Two of the four band members have passed away but Queen remains an idol of artists today such as Lady Gaga, Green Day, and The Foo Fighters.

THESIS

Langston Hughes and Queen strive to motivate their targeted audiences, through their lyrics, to achieve greatness in troubling situations such as racism or in the rigors of sports.

“STILL HERE”- LANGSTON HUGHES

I been scared and battered.My hopes the wind done scattered.Snow has friz me,Sun has baked me,

Looks like between 'em they doneTried to make me

Stop laughin', stop lovin', stop livin'--But I don't care!I'm still here!

“WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS”- QUEEN

I've paid my dues - Time after time - I've done my sentence But committed no crime - And bad mistakes I've made a few I've had my share of sand kicked in my face - But I've come through

We are the champions - my friends And we'll keep on fighting - till the end - We are the champions - We are the champions No time for losers 'Cause we are the champions - of the world -

I've taken my bows And my curtain calls - You brought me fame and fortuen and everything that goes with it -I thank you all -

But it's been no bed of roses No pleasure cruise - I consider it a challenge before the whole human race - And I ain't gonna lose -

We are the champions - my friends And we'll keep on fighting - till the end - We are the champions - We are the champions No time for losers

'Cause we are the champions - of the world -

COMPARISON

LANGSTON HUGHES’ LITERARY TECHNIQUES

Shifting tone First Person Imagery

Symbol of slavery

QUEEN’S LITERARY TECHNIQUES

Repetition: “We Are the Champions” Change of tone Imagery/Symbolism: “Bed of roses”,

“Pleasure cruise”

WORK CITED

Wikipedia