MINDFUL MELODY
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • The Magazine
  • The Articles
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • The Magazine
  • The Articles
Search

LATEST POSTS

A selection of articles from all our issues - go to 'The Magazine' to read them all, including exclusive interviews from Aston Barrett Jr., Niko Moon, Serena Ryder, Canaan Smith and many more...

Starz in their Eyes – The music industry according to Just Jack

5/12/2021

0 Comments

 

David Dawson

Picture
Remember Mike Posner’s hit 'I Took A Pill In Ibiza'? The dance classic is upbeat and fun with a catchy riff that is bound to pull people onto the dancefloor. The thing I love about that song though is that there is a tipping point; the moment when you first notice the lyrics. What you’ve always considered a great dance tune suddenly has an entirely new inflection; a tale of a singer worried that they are moving closer to the label of ‘one hit wonder’, that their star is dying and that they still haven’t found the happiness they always craved. Just Jack’s 'Starz in their Eyes' in this way is the predecessor for Mike Posner; the upbeat and catchy tune is topped by a cockney vocal that makes it such an entertaining listen – but there is so much more to it than that. Harking back to my review of Justin Bieber’s 'Lonely', 'Starz in their Eyes' gives us a look into the life we all think we dream of but that really isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

‘Since you became a VIPerson, it’s like your problems have all worsened’

Mo Money, Mo Problems eh? It’s highly publicised that the rich and famous do have their struggles; we often put them up on a pedestal and stare at them with wide and envious eyes wishing for their fortune and fame, but really it’s not the dream we make it out to be. It’s often been publicised by artists in songs or autobiographies that the glitz and the glamour is not as exciting as we have been led to believe, and you just need to glance at the tragic list of celebrities who have turned to drugs and alcohol and the infamous 27 club that is often a result of such abuse and turmoil to see this. I recently read Phil Collins' autobiography 'Not Dead Yet' and this further demonstrated it to me; a talented musician who loved to write and perform, he spent the best part of 30 years working and touring much to the detriment of his personal relationships, his family, his marriages and his own health. However, upon stopping, the sudden change from three decades of constant work and pressure to an abundance of free time turned the star to alcohol and very nearly caused an untimely demise. It seems that he was in this sense damned if he did and damned if he didn’t, stuck in some sort of strange performance Stockholm syndrome where he began to love and rely on the very thing that was harming him, and ultimately missed it when he was set free. To add salt to the wounds was the constant hounding from paparazzi and the press that thrust what can be a fatal spotlight streaming constant pressure and scrutiny on the shoulders of one person. It does seem that everything is magnified for those cursed with fame; every mistake is chewed over by the masses and their life and work comes under constant criticism, I certainly wouldn’t wish it upon anyone. This line is also backed up by Bieber in 'Lonely'; the Canadian star’s lyrics about having all of his problems and mistakes critiqued by people who know nothing of his personality and life whilst having no one to call really do underpin this idea that being in the spotlight is laden with struggles.

‘While the rest of these users are just laughing in their sleeves’

This line is in the context of the protagonist’s apparent success; while they feel they are at the top of the tree the feint chuckles of producers and industry characters present a damning soundtrack. I think we have all seen in the past when a star emerges set to be the next best thing, only to disappear after a short while into thin air. For a while the talent probably feels on cloud nine, staring into a world of opportunities, but realistically, they are no more than another cog in the works of a music industry who feeds on cash cows and cruelly spits out anyone who isn’t bringing home the bacon. Although probably not the original intention of the lyrics, I am also reminded of television talent shows at this part of the song. When we get bored and flick on the TV on a Saturday night we are often greeted by a poor soul stood on stage in front of thousands, willed on by family and friends; only for us to soon learn that actually they aren’t that talented after all and are swiftly met with laughs from the crowd and snide jokes and remarks from the judges. The way these shows are set up gives the impression that these people have turned up on the day hoping to try their luck at a new life of stardom and of course therefore some will be better than others. What they don’t show on TV however is that these shows usually require video auditions and face-to-face off-camera auditions before people are even allowed onto the stage. This means that producers of the show knowingly tell these people that they are good enough at least twice before they make it onto the stage, filling them with hope and self-belief which can then be torn down in front of the nation for our entertainment. To me, the producers of these kinds of shows are the users who laugh in their sleeves whilst setting up innocent people for a live and televised downfall. If you have the time go on YouTube and search for Simon Brodkin's attempt at Britain's Got Talent; the famous comedian shows the ins and outs of the process of the show, how hopeful talents are pushed for sob stories to pull on the heartstrings of the public, and how saying and doing the right thing is more important than talent.

​
Whilst I could pick out more of the lyrics to dissect they all tend to suggest the same two things; that fame isn’t what it's cracked up to be and that the industry uses and abuses talent. The whole song is a masterpiece filled with sentiments of the rise and fall of fame; the quick highs followed by the crushing lows. Just Jack beautifully calls out and exposes the music industry with one swift hit (get it?). The sad thing is that nothing has changed and probably nothing ever will change. The main issue is that often the people who do take a stand are the rich and famous and it’s very hard for the general public to empathise. Whilst they probably wish for some anonymity, we all dream of some recognition; whilst they dream of a simple life, we dream of the fast cars and the big houses. Sure, we can all recognise that the famed life is far from perfect but how are we to ever fully understand the pressures that these people face? Whilst Justin Bieber’s 'Lonely' did a great job recently of giving us the other side of the story, I think 'Starz in their eyes' is just as important. It strips away the glamour and instead of talking about a global superstar it focuses on the overnight stars; the normal people who get used and abused by the industry. With lines such as ‘It’s a long way to come from the Dog and Duck karaoke machine’ and ’It’s a long way to come from your private bedroom dance routines’ being sung in a cheeky cockney accent, the song relates back to us; I think this does much more to help us understand. 'Lonely' makes up sympathise whereas 'Starz in their Eyes' makes us empathise.
0 Comments

    Buy print editions of Mindful Melody Issue 12 below!

    Buy now

      Subscribe below to get each issue straight to your inbox!

    Subscribe to Mindful Melody

    Articles List

    All
    3 Key Lifestyle Habits That Can Improve Your Mental Health
    Absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder-live-music
    Adam-douglas-on-his-middleaged-mental-health-awakening
    Adele-andy-find-perfect-harmony-on-where-i-belong-ep
    Ajeet-review-and-interview
    Album-review-mac-mcanallyrsquos-lsquoonce-in-a-lifetimersquo-is-both-a-soundtrack-and-an-antidote-for-our-times
    Am-i-right-to-be-optimistic-about-2021
    Amy-speace-interview
    And-a-little-help-from-the-forest
    And-being-born-for-the-stage
    And-do-we-need-to
    And-no-shoes-nation-how-fan-clubs-are-easing-lockdown-loneliness
    Andy Franks Interview - Music Support: Meet The Music Industry Veteran Working For Change
    A-new-way-forward-for-musical-theatre
    An-interview-with-mesita
    An-interview-with-thomas-corneill-from-young-martyrs-navigating-life-as-a-fulltime-musician
    An-interview-with-ziggy-alberts-bringing-unity-through-music
    Are Biopics Good For Fans?
    A-review-of-petrichor-ndash-jon-reynolds-the-aches-something-for-everyone
    A-talk-with-the-lead-wailer-aston-barrett-jr
    Bo Burnham's 'INSIDE' - Dark Comedy And Music Combine
    Bootleggers
    Breaking The Boundaries Of Genre And Mood An Interview With Jon Reynolds
    Breland Interview
    But I Think We Will Find A Common Ground": Finn Matthews Interview
    Can Music Be Your Coping Mechanism?
    Can We Seperate Artists From Their Music
    Carl Falk Interview: The Avicii Hitmaker On Friendship
    Channel Your Negativity Into Creativity
    Charlotte Young: Tackling Positivity And Negativity (Sometimes Simultaneously!)
    Christmas Music: The Marmite Of The Charts
    'Chris Tomlin & Friends': Joy That Transcends Religion
    Clipping. – Visions Of Bodies Being Burned Review
    'Come Home The Kids Miss You' - Did Expectations Ruin Harlow's Big Release?
    Denis Coleman - Pop Prodigy And Mental Health Ambassador
    Directioners
    Does Listening To Music Help Us Study?
    Don't Have Time To Create A Vision-board? Try This 'audio-board' Alternative
    “Don’t You Know That You’re Toxic?”: Why The Music Industry Really Is A 'poisoned Paradise' (Yingmin Khoo Guest Post)
    Drake White Interview
    Emma Moore Interview Finding Self-Love In Music And Society - Interview
    Escaping The Shuffle Society - How To Improve Mindfulness Through Music
    Everybody Dies Young
    Faith
    Faith Over Fear: Southern Gospel Artist Brent Cobb Talks To Maxim
    Fatherhood And Genre-fluidity
    Find Your Own Therapy
    From Bullied Teen To Chart-topper: Kelsey Bovey
    George Strait
    Gloria Anderson Interview: Cars
    Greetings From...The Marfa Tapes: Let Miranda Lambert
    Grief And The Songwriting Process
    Hardy On His Hopes For Hixtape Vol 2 And Being Country As Hell!
    "Hate Has Become The Default
    Headphone Holiday: Kenny Chesney
    How Can Music Affect Our Emotions
    How The Eagles Turned Back The Clock And Lit Up British Summer Time Festival 2022
    How Tik Tok Has Become The Industry's Hottest New Critic
    Humility And Heart
    Interview: Andreas Moe
    Interview: CalledOut Music
    Interview: Canaan Smith - How He Found Himself Through Fatherhood
    Interview: Essie Jain - Creating Healing Music For All Ages
    Interview: Haley & Michaels
    Interview: Kieran Lancini
    Interview: Kylie Morgan
    Interview: Morgan Wade
    Interview: Music Therapy With Tiziana Pozzo
    Interview: Tyler Braden On Small Towns
    Is The Music Industry Turning A New Leaf With Its Support Of Mental Health?
    "It's Time To Stop Living In My Head": Interview With Nashville's Olivia Lane
    Jack Ingram And Jon Randall Be Your Tour Guides On This Sonic Retreat
    JEEN-YUHS - WHY KANYE WOULD BE A BETTER LIFE COACH THAN YOU THINK
    Jhené Aiko's Chilombo: A Perfect Blend Of Peace And Passion
    Jhené Aiko's Chilombo: A Perfect Blend Of Peace And Passion
    Kenny Chesney
    Kezia Gill Interview
    Kristi Hoopes - Engagement
    Lathan Warlick Interview: How A Brush With Death Inspired His Music's Message Of 'God
    Live Music Is Changing
    Love And Unity'
    Low-Strung And Amped-Down: Unplug Your Mind By Going Acoustic
    Lyrical Life Lessons #2: 'Don't Blink'
    Lyrical Life Lessons #3 - 'Give Me More Time'
    Lyrical Life Lessons #5 Jake Owen
    Machine Gun Kelly Has Gifted Us The Realest Album Of 2020
    Mainstream Sellout - Did MGK Ignore The Critics?
    MAJE On Motivation
    Make Yourself A Musical Photo Album
    Man On The Moon III: Kid Cudi Finds Dawn After Years Of Darkness In This Modern Epic
    Maxim Speaks To Elliah Heifetz About Anxiety
    Meet The Man Determined To Bring More Positivity Into Country Music - An Interview With: Kyle Elliott
    Memories And Music
    Mental Health And Me #10-David: My Dream Band Line-Up
    Mental Health And Me #11-David: 'Sun Is Shining
    Mental Health And Me #12-David: 'The Drugs Don't Work'
    Mental Health And Me #2: Maxim
    Mental Health And Me #3: David Why 'How Are You?' Is My 2020 Kryptonite
    Mental Health And Me #3: Maxim - How Sad Songs Showed Me The Value Of Wholeness Over Happiness
    Mental Health And Me #4: Maxim - 'Pitch Perfectionism'
    Mental Health And Me #5: David
    Mental Health And Me #5: Maxim - Can You Dance Away The Lockdown Blues?
    Mental Health And Me #6: David - Meditation Memoirs
    Mental Health And Me #6: Maxim - How Country Music Showed Me The Power Of Gratitude
    Mental Health And Me #7: David - Was I Right To Be Optimistic About 2021? The Follow Up
    Mental Health And Me #7: Maxim - Can ‘mindful Listening' Help Ease Productivity-guilt?
    Mental Health And Me #8: David - Enjoying The Ride
    Mental Health And Me #9: David Was I Right To Be Optimistic About 2021 - The Trilogy
    Mental Health And Me: David
    Mental Health And Me; David #14: God's Plan - Why I'm Jealous Of Believers
    Mental Health And Me: David - How Running Made Me A Better Person
    Mental Health And Me: Maxim
    Mind Over Matter - Why Everything's Going To Be Alright (Even If It Isn't)
    Mitchell Kersley Challenges Toxic Masculinity On New Single
    Mod Sun's 'Internet Killed The Rockstar' - A Familiar Story
    More Than A Musician: Meet The Artist Making A Real Difference In The World Of Mental Health - An Interview With Serena Ryder
    Music
    Music And Grief By Ashley Broadhurst
    Music And Memory: The Healing Power Of Music (Yingmin Khoo Guest Post)
    My All-American Kenny Chesney Adventure
    My New 'Malibu Theory'
    National Identity - And Dad Jokes
    Nihilism In Rap Music: Misunderstood
    'Oh Man
    Our Top 10 Songs For...Peaceful Melancholy
    Our Top 10 Songs To Make You Laugh
    Our Top 10 Songs...to Relax To
    Our Top Ten...Slow Down And Simplify Songs
    Our Top Ten Songs...about Self-Love
    Our Top Ten Songs For...Peaceful Melancholy
    Our Top Ten Songs Of... Film/TV
    Our Top Ten Songs Of Nature
    Our Top Ten Songs Of... Summer Sun!
    Our Top Ten Songs To Hear Live
    Performance Anxiety: Friend Or Foe?
    Quadeca - I Don't Care Review
    Ray Fulcher Interview - "I Want People To Think
    Sampling - Creative Genius Or Cutting Corners?
    Sarah Louise: The UK Country Singer-songwriter That Just Wants You To Believe In Yourself
    Seafret Slow Down And Simplify With New Piano Sessions EP - Interview
    Self-Improvement And New 'Fly On The Wall' Project
    Should Your New Self-love Mantra Be A Rap Lyric?
    Songs That Get Me Through Lockdown - David
    Songs That Get Me Through Lockdown - Maxim
    Sounds That Heal And Relax: The Music Of Mindfulness
    Sound Therapy: A Vibe-check
    Spotify Recommended: Help Or Hindrance?
    Starz In Their Eyes – The Music Industry According To Just Jack
    Starz In Their Eyes – The Music Industry According To Just Jack
    Stereotypes And Saving Lives
    Sublime Simplicity - Quadeca's Atmospheric 'From Me To You' Album Reviewed
    Tamar Haviv: The Singer-songwriter Who's Making The World A Better Place
    Tebey Interview
    The 90% Gratitude Rule
    The 90’s Country Comeback: Why Cowboy Hats And Honky-tonks Are Striking A Chord With Gen-Z
    The 90’s Country Comeback: Why Cowboy Hats And Honky-tonks Are Striking A Chord With Gen-Z
    The Artist Making Iconic Songs Her Own - An Interview With: Lissie
    The Hot Girl Walk: Just Another Tik-Tok Fad - Or A Great Way To Boost Our Wellbeing?
    The Importance Of Being ERNEST - Flower Shops
    Then It's Okay If I Do Too.'"
    The Safety Of Familiarity
    The Sonic Ranch: Midland's Origin-story Digs Up Their Roots And Strikes Gold
    The Voice
    The Weather Is Sweet'
    Thomas Rhett Finds Happiness At Home On Country Again (Side A)
    Tick
    Tick… Boom! The Musical Of Honesty
    Tiera Kennedy Interview
    Tim Prottey-Jones - From Western To West End - And Back!
    Tom Cary - New Single 'Something In The Whiskey' Breaks Country Music's Heartbreak Streak
    Top 10 Motivational Masterpieces
    Top 10 Songs For Concentration
    Top 10 Songs For...Overcoming Heartbreak
    Toxic Or Positive?
    Vinyl Therapy
    Well If Ray's Got His Own Struggles
    Why 'Lonely' Confirms Justin Bieber's Move From Guilty Pleasure To Admirable Star
    Wren Kelly Tackling Society And Mental Health In New Single 'Game Over'
    Zac Brown Band - 'The Comeback' In Name And Nature
    Zane Williams Interview

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • The Magazine
  • The Articles