‘List of Demands (Reparations)’ - Saul Williams, 2004
Saul Williams is an interesting kind of fella. I first heard of him when I was lazying around reading an In Dublin magazine a few years ago where a brief article compelled me to check this guy out. He played in the Crawdaddy venue on Harcourt street ( a location I have mixed feelings about ). This song was played as part of the encore set and received a great reception, making me walk way to find out more about him. Why do musicians perform encores nowadays anyway?
This song has a very angry resonance to it from the opening two lines “I want my money back, I’m down here drowning in your fat. You got me on my knees praying for everything you lack” right to the end with a combination of spoken word and a vocal delivery that gives this song a cutting edge where the artist is speaking out against social injustice that he perceives in the world. Definitely the two lines that stand out for me are “I gotta list of demands written on the palm of my hands. I ball my fist and you’re gonna know where I stand” which enforces the idea that he ain’t going to take it lying down and that he is going to stand up and fight it. I think these lines can define many situations where one would like to stand up and fight. If you haven’t yet heard this song, I strongly urge you to do so if you get a chance. Its available from his second album called Saul williams.
note: Apparently this song is the theme song for a new Nike ad in the US. As far as I’m concerned an artist can do whatever they like with their own music. It doesn’t take away anything from the song for me…see the video here.
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