Baltimore vs. Always Crashing in the Same Car

Song:  Baltimore
Album:  HITnRUN: Phase Two
Year:  2015

This song was recorded roughly 2 weeks after the death of Freddie Gray at the hands of the Baltimore police.  (You can find a more thorough description of the incident at The Atlantic).  As a song that uses the topic of institutionalized police brutality of black men as it's source material (including the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri), Baltimore uses remarkably upbeat instrumentation as it's foundation.  The lyrics are essentially variations on the platitudes commonly echoed in songs of this nature.  ("If there ain't no justice, then there ain't no peace" and "peace is more than the absence of war.").  It's a very produced, clean and crisp sound, though just a tad too heavy on the Prince-style horns for my taste.  The guitar riff and mini-solo halfway through are both catchy and the strings section immediately following works well too.  Altogether a pleasant song conveying a message of hope, though this is ultimately dashed by the closing "news interruption."  I'd like to think that music like this can effect change; on it's own I fear it will not, but if it sparks stronger activism and inspires individuals to vote then I'm all for it.

Verdict:  3/5 stars

Would I sing it at karaoke?  If I'm protesting I'm going to go more for the jugular, so probably not.

Song:  Always Crashing in the Same Car
Album:  Low
Year:  1977

This is one of those songs that becomes better the more you know about it.  The lyrics can be taken both literally and as a metaphor for making the same mistakes over and over again.  Per Wikipedia, the literal interpretation stems from Bowie's repeated ramming of a drug dealer's car during the height of his (Bowie's) cocaine addiction.  Wikipedia goes on to state that a third verse, sung in the style of Bob Dylan, was scrapped due to the band's belief that it may be misinterpreted as a reference to Dylan's motorcycle crash several years earlier.

I have never been crazy about this song.  It doesn't stand out for me on the album and has always been one that just sort of passes by without my notice.  Listening more intently and digging deeper into the lyrics and meaning, I have a new appreciation for it.  It still won't be my go-to Bowie, but I won't skip over it either.

Verdict:  3/5 stars

Would I sing it at karaoke?  Nah . . . too short.

Winner:  Baltimore, if only because it seems more focused on positive change

Running Score:  Bowie 6, Prince 6