Recently my mom asked me to look up the full lyrics to this song so she could sing it to my niece and nephew. I typed every combination of "little houses on the hillside/ticky tacky" into Google and the song about houses was nowhere to be found, but a song written by Malvina Reynolds called "Little Boxes" with the same lyrics came up. This was the exact song I remembered from preschool days, with some other verses. Here's the song to listen to, as well as a wiki page about the origins of the song. Some of you may recognize it as the Weeds theme song:
Wikipedia
Little Boxes Video
Since I learned the song as a nursery rhyme, with only the first 2 or 3 verses, I never noticed message of the song: an attack on suburbia and conformity. I believe that this song is still relevant today, despite being written almost 50 years ago. So my question to you guys is this: Do you agree or disagree with the message of the song? Also, can you think of any other children's songs (even though this technically wasn't, I guess) that have powerful messages and themes?
I totally agree with this. I've heard this song so many times, cause I watch weeds and I never picked up on a meaning like that. Once I looked at the lyrics I realized what you were talking about. It's also really funny because in the first season of weeds they really stress the idea of suburbia and everyone knowing everything about you. I love that this song has that much connection, it's so cool you found that!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. I feel that this life that we lead is so conformed and scheduled and any other path is just looked down upon. I find it a really great and funny song, love humming to it, but the message that is attached to it is really true.
ReplyDeleteI think it says a lot about suburbia, but also people in general. We all want to fit in and be like others. In suburbia a lot of the people like to seem to be the same, in an almost Utopian way. As far as the song goes, it's a catchy folk song and it's cool that your mom used to sing a different version to you!
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what I did my multi-genre project on! If only I would have seen this earlier, I could have used it as an outside source!
ReplyDeleteI do agree with the message of the song though. Suburbia, oftentimes fairly, gets labeled as utopian and lacking diversity, and when in that sort of culture, anti-conformity is essential.
Love the song by the way
I've never heard this song before, but I'm definitely a fan. I totally thought of James' project while listening to the lyrics!
ReplyDeleteIt's strange to think that a song like this -- one so simple and silly-sounding -- has a much deeper message about the conformity of our society. Although I wish it wasn't the case, the lyrics are very true.
I agree with what has already been posted.
ReplyDeleteI really love how songs can contain a message that is unclear to some people but extremely meaningful to others. Simple folk tunes like the one being discussed is a great example. Naturally you didn't understand the message when you were a child. Isn't it fun being able to take messages from songs? I love hearing people talk about Bob Dylan's songs. The crowd is split. You have people who think his stuff is super meaningful for reasons that are arguably what Dylan meant or didn't mean to use, and then you have the listeners who have no clue what Dylan is talking about. I wonder how songwriters feel when people talk about their songs?