Current Songs That Express Transcendental Ideas
The songs are going to be separated into 5 main categories, Confidence/Intuition, Self-Reliance, Nature, Free Thought, and Non-conformity/Individualism. Each of which are going to contain one or more songs that I believe express the idea in their given category. Every listing is going to contain the reason it represents that idea, and a link to the lyrics on this webpage. (Click on song title for lyrics, There is also song downloads available for the first two).
Confidence/Intuition
"Intuition" by John Lennon
This song is transcendental because it talks about using his intuition rather than logic. It also relates to him struggling through troubles yet he keeps doing what he is doing.
"I Believe I Can Fly" by R Kelly
Next, this song is transcendental because it focuses on the idea of intuition over logic. He believes he has insight into the idea of flying and he believes it rather than make logical assumptions.
This song is transcendental because it talks about using his intuition rather than logic. It also relates to him struggling through troubles yet he keeps doing what he is doing.
"I Believe I Can Fly" by R Kelly
Next, this song is transcendental because it focuses on the idea of intuition over logic. He believes he has insight into the idea of flying and he believes it rather than make logical assumptions.
Self-Reliance
"Shine" by Henry Rollins
The song clearly shows some transcendental thought put into it via its idea of relying on oneself. It explains that he could not rely on anyone else otherwise he would not be where he is, he had to rely on himself to get there.
"Your Number Is One" by Henry Rollins
This song also shows an idea of self-reliance by continually saying in this particular section, stuff about you. It says to “Keep yourself” several times, showing that they want you to think and rely on yourself.
The song clearly shows some transcendental thought put into it via its idea of relying on oneself. It explains that he could not rely on anyone else otherwise he would not be where he is, he had to rely on himself to get there.
"Your Number Is One" by Henry Rollins
This song also shows an idea of self-reliance by continually saying in this particular section, stuff about you. It says to “Keep yourself” several times, showing that they want you to think and rely on yourself.
Nature
"Mother Natures Son" by The Beatles
Well this one is kind of clearly about nature. It is just in general about the beauty of nature and how great it is to be amongst it. The song was actually written about a trip the Beatles took in which they had seen much of nature.
"Green River" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
This is another one that is also pretty self-explanatory. They are singing about what they did when outside, how nice it is to be with nature, a pretty common thought in transcendentalism.
Well this one is kind of clearly about nature. It is just in general about the beauty of nature and how great it is to be amongst it. The song was actually written about a trip the Beatles took in which they had seen much of nature.
"Green River" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
This is another one that is also pretty self-explanatory. They are singing about what they did when outside, how nice it is to be with nature, a pretty common thought in transcendentalism.
Free Thought
"No Surprises" by Radiohead
In this song it express an idea of free thought a little bit differently. Rather than saying people have the right to speak out how they wish, it is making fun of the people who don’t express that exact right. You can see this if you read the lyrics, it basically is saying why don't you speak out for yourself?
"The Fallen" by Franz Ferdinand
In this piece the songwriter is basically asking what is wrong with what he is doing. He is talking about this “boy” who does all of this stuff, and he is questioning why the boy wouldn't have the right to think how he wants.
In this song it express an idea of free thought a little bit differently. Rather than saying people have the right to speak out how they wish, it is making fun of the people who don’t express that exact right. You can see this if you read the lyrics, it basically is saying why don't you speak out for yourself?
"The Fallen" by Franz Ferdinand
In this piece the songwriter is basically asking what is wrong with what he is doing. He is talking about this “boy” who does all of this stuff, and he is questioning why the boy wouldn't have the right to think how he wants.
Nonconformity/Individualism
"We're Not Gonna Take It" by Twisted Sister
This song definitely shows nonconformity, saying that basically they are gonna be what they want to be. It greatly supports the idea that being yourself is your choice to make and someone else shouldn't effect that.
"Come As You Are" by Nirvana
Right in the title this song is saying to be who you want to be. Be an individual, hence Individualism. They are saying they don’t want someone to come to them as fake, they want them to be how that person wants to be.
This song definitely shows nonconformity, saying that basically they are gonna be what they want to be. It greatly supports the idea that being yourself is your choice to make and someone else shouldn't effect that.
"Come As You Are" by Nirvana
Right in the title this song is saying to be who you want to be. Be an individual, hence Individualism. They are saying they don’t want someone to come to them as fake, they want them to be how that person wants to be.