SKIT 2
Lowkey Lyrics


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Dear friends, I think it's now, time to at least have a first balance sheet, not the last, the first balance sheet of the Obama presidency. As many of you know the images of the campaign are still vivid. Big, large mobilizations in the United States, of young people primarily. Desperate for change. And the slogan of that campaign change we can believe in. Change Change Change. But what has changed and what hasn't changed. There has of course been a change in the presidency, and we can't complain too much about that (Laughter). There is a new vice-president also in the United States, and we can't complain too much about that (Claps and Laughter). But the Defence Secretary is the same. That's the guy who sits in the pentagon and organizes wars, and the reason he was kept on was to show that there is, there are both elements of discontinuity at the top AND very strong elements of continuity. And the reason for that, is that if you wear Caesars clothes, you must behave like Caesar.




Overall Meaning

In Lowkey's song Skit 4, he quotes a speech that emphasizes the need to take stock of President Obama's first term in office. The singer draws attention to the enthusiasm and hope that accompanied Obama's campaign, especially among young people who were desperate for change. However, the singer notes that change has not come in some areas, and there are elements of the previous administration that remain.


The singer notes that there has been a change in the presidency, but there are still areas of continuity, particularly the appointment of the Defense Secretary. The Defense Secretary is responsible for organizing wars and was kept on to maintain a sense of continuity. The singer suggests that those who hold power are required to behave a certain way, and in this case, Obama must behave like Caesar if he wears his clothes. The speech highlights the idea that even with a change in leadership, structures and systems of power can remain in place.


Overall, the lyrics in Skit 4 suggest a critical evaluation of President Obama's first term in office, with a focus on the promise of change that accompanied his campaign and the reality of continuity in certain areas.


Line by Line Meaning

Dear friends, I think it's now, time to at least have a first balance sheet, not the last, the first balance sheet of the Obama presidency.
Addressing the audience, Lowkey suggests that it's time to assess President Obama's progress so far, and not wait till the end of his term to do so. He emphasizes that this is only the first balance sheet.


As many of you know the images of the campaign are still vivid.
The imagery from Obama's campaign is memorable and clear in the minds of the public.


Big, large mobilizations in the United States, of young people primarily.
The campaign brought together large groups of young Americans who were eager for change.


Desperate for change.
These young people were desperate for change in their country.


And the slogan of that campaign change we can believe in. Change Change Change.
The campaign's slogan was centered around the idea of making positive changes in society that people can trust in.


But what has changed and what hasn't changed.
Lowkey raises the question of what truly changed and what remained the same during the Obama presidency.


There has of course been a change in the presidency, and we can't complain too much about that (Laughter).
Barack Obama's election to the presidency is a significant change, and Lowkey acknowledges that this is a positive development, sarcastically adding that there's no need to complain about it.


There is a new vice-president also in the United States, and we can't complain too much about that (Claps and Laughter).
The selection of a new vice-president is also something that is met with appreciation by the audience, and Lowkey again sarcastically downplays the need for complaints.


But the Defence Secretary is the same.
Despite these relatively small changes, the US military's leadership has remained consistent with Obama's predecessor.


That's the guy who sits in the pentagon and organizes wars, and the reason he was kept on was to show that there is, there are both elements of discontinuity at the top AND very strong elements of continuity.
The Defense Secretary is responsible for overseeing US military operations, and Lowkey asserts that he was kept in his role to demonstrate that while some things might change within the government, the military-industrial complex remains largely unaffected.


And the reason for that, is that if you wear Caesars clothes, you must behave like Caesar.
Lowkey argues that the political system in America is so deeply entrenched with the interests of the military-industrial complex that those who occupy positions of power, like Obama, are essentially bound to continue the same policies and practices as their predecessors.




Contributed by Kaitlyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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