Six Songs for Sri Lanka

My country Sri Lanka is currently facing its worst crisis right now. The country is running out of money so there is unfortunately a shortage of power, cooking gas, medicines, paper and fuel. Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s victory at Sri Lanka’s November 2019 Presidential election is what set the stage for this crisis. There have been massive protests calling Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign since March. I decided to write an article highlighting six songs I like that can apply to Sri Lanka’s present state. There are five western songs and one Sri Lankan song featured which have their official YouTube audio embedded.

Takin' It to the Streets - The Doobie Brothers (1976)

This is Michael McDonald’s first hit with The Doobie Brothers. Michael wrote it, sings it and plays piano. This song is about someone who has grown up in poverty through a very difficult environment. Sri Lanka has issues of poverty and people in Sri Lanka are going through the most painful and difficult time in Sri Lanka’s history. The current protests in Sri Lanka match with the theme of the song. I hope they will succeed in getting Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign and take Sri Lanka out of its current mess. Michael sings powerfully and plays his melodic piano colourfully. There’s a nice saxophone solo.  

Feel Like A Number - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band (1978)

This is an intense rocker featuring powerful piano. There is both a piano and a guitar solo. Bob mentions standing in line at the start which is apt as Sri Lankans have been standing for hours in queues daily. The protagonist feels like a number because of the difficulties and lack of recognition in his life. Corrupt politicians in Sri Lanka have been discarding the citizens of Sri Lanka which can result in people feeling like a number. The line “I’m just another consensus on the street” reflects the Sri Lankans out there in queues and protests being a consensus of Sri Lanka’s colossal failures in governance. This song has the signature Bob Seger rock sound.

Where Have All The Good Times Gone - Elton John (1982)

This is a soul influenced song that’s very musical. Elton John wrote this song with his long-time lyricist Bernie Taupin. This song is written nostalgically looking back in the early 1980s, but the statement “Where have all the good times gone” applies to Sri Lanka. You can think of this question bringing back positive memories of Sri Lanka. This song features piano, electric piano, an orchestra and subtle guitar parts. Elton sings passionately asking this question. In the final section of the song, Elton brings in some rock piano and sings more intensely.

The Way It Is - Bruce Hornsby & The Range (1986)

Its lyrics open with the fitting words “Standing in line, marking time”. This is a piano driven rock song with the piano played by the singer. The chorus has the lines “That’s just the way it is. Some things will never change.” It also adds “Don’t you believe them” which I like. This message is useful for Sri Lanka, as the common defeatist statement “That’s just the way it is” has been said for years regarding Sri Lanka’s problems. I hope the protests will result in action to fix the problems plaguing Sri Lankan society currently and for decades. Bruce gives inspired piano playing throughout including two piano solos. 

Sihina Lowak - Clarence Wijewardena (2002)

This is an instrumental version of a song by Sri Lankan musician Clarence Wijewardena. It opens with a keyboard part which comes back later. The song features catchy guitars. There is a saxophone played in the Sri Lankan style. In the last section of the song there is some subtle singing by Clarence going with the guitar parts. This is a relaxing gentle song which reflects the wonder of Sri Lanka. The wonder of Sri Lanka is something to look at in these dark times. 

Working On a Dream - Bruce Springsteen (2009)

This is an optimistic song. Bruce sings of working on a dream. Many Sri Lankans are dreaming of what they wish to see for Sri Lanka. I dream of a Sri Lanka where there is clean politics, peace, no racism & discrimination, a thriving economy, a good quality of life among other much needed developments. This song features good dark, rock piano notes. There is a nice section where Bruce whistles. This song talks of the importance of working on a dream.

These are a collection of songs I selected that I feel are suitable for the current times in Sri Lanka. Music when done right can express our thoughts and feelings in a truthful manner. It can touch us, comfort us and inspire us to do better. I’m very sad by the current state of Sri Lanka, though I am pleased to see the unified call for change coming from Sri Lanka’s different communities and groups. I’m so sorry to all the people back home in Sri Lanka for the suffering you’re going through. It’s my wish to see a better Sri Lanka emerge.

The Importance of Positivity for Sri Lanka

When it comes to Sri Lanka, I’ve noticed that it’s common for many of us Sri Lankans to be very

negative about the state of affairs in the country. I understand that it stems from legitimate issues

and grievances, but I personally don’t agree with this very negative attitude. In this article, I will give

my thoughts on why I think positivity is important for Sri Lanka.

Unfortunate Quick Dismissals

When a new project has come to the country, some people say that it isn’t good, that it’s making no

difference or making it worse. Other comments along those lines said are “we don’t need this”. There

are of course some projects that will not be of value or make the situation worse. It’s my perception

that we often jump to these conclusions at the start. I think it’s best to think it through before jumping

to a conclusion.

Sometimes, a certain project may not be an ideal solution, a necessity or live up to what’s promised,

but it does bring about an improvement thus it’s good that it has been brought forward. It’s also worth

noting that a project’s value often won’t be seen immediately, as people have to get used to the

change. In those cases, the success and value of a project can be best judged after several months

of operation.

Legal Flaws Shouldn’t Diminish Achievements

One negative comment often said is “what a joke”. It’s often used when someone is prosecuted for a

crime, to point out the fact that someone who committed a lighter crime got a heavy sentence

compared with a lighter sentence given to an offender of a more serious crime. In instances like

these, the allegation is most probably true and is unfortunate, but I don’t think it diminishes the

achievement of the prosecution. Sometimes, though it may not be a very serious offence, it might be

a new trend to see someone prosecuted for it or the frequency of such a prosecution. I don’t think

achievements like that should go unrecognised.

People Getting Written off Too Easily

There is a trend to write off a person because of something questionable that they did, even if they

were individuals who were viewed very highly prior to that incident. I do think that some individual’s

actions can have gone too far to the point that being critical of them makes sense. However, there

are many cases where I agree with the criticism, but think it's taking it too far to write them off for it

as the individual's actions do not discredit his or her good qualities and achievements.

Politics Isn’t All Bad

When it comes to politics, I don’t like the political culture, but don’t think everything a politician says

or does is a lie, corrupt, bad etc. I think there are more good politicians than perceived. I also think

that some politicians can be mixed, i.e. corrupt but also having some good qualities. I think that the

good and decent aspects of politics often get sidelined due to the strong focus on the negative

aspect of politics. Even in cases when a politician is performing better than many of his or her

colleagues, we often paint them with the same brush.

Politicians, despite some of their bad reputations are an essential part of government, and if you did

away with them, society would be worse off. The way forward is to speak out against the negative

aspect of politics and to encourage its positive aspects. It’s also worth noting that politicians aren’t

solely responsible for the negative aspects of Sri Lankan society. These negative aspects also stem

from businesses, institutions and individuals. These factors in society play a role in enabling

corruption, bribery and other ills associated with politics as some politicians may have been

influenced by them prior to entering politics.   

Value of Hope

I don’t agree with the view of there being no hope for Sri Lanka. That is a very defeatist way of

looking at the country. Even at times when I was most displeased with the state of affairs in Sri

Lanka where I had serious concerns about the future, I did not believe that to be the case. An aspect

of hope is wanting the country to do well, where you look for positive opportunities for Sri Lanka.

Without hope, the country cannot progress.

I think Sri Lanka will have ups and downs, with both good and bad things frequently occurring. We

have our different political and ideological views, so we will differ in assessment of our country both

at present and throughout its various stages. We may be more pessimistic and more optimistic at

times, but I believe hope is essential as it helps drive the country forward, especially during its most

difficult times.

Excess Negativity Strengthens the Problems

I think that excess negativity adds fuel to the fire of the problems facing Sri Lanka. Saying these very

negative remarks makes it more likely to happen. If we didn’t have such negativity in the past over

several decades and instead focused constructively on how to improve the country we might have

been able to be in a better state now with stronger anti-corruption efforts and thus a more productive

political culture. We also could have worked towards a stronger economy.

Conclusion

I’m not advocating complacency with the state of affairs in the country. I know there are serious

problems which are in need of fixing. We are going to get disappointed, frustrated, annoyed and

saddened by things that occur in Sri Lanka. I’m suggesting what I think is a way to feel better in the

face of the problems facing Sri Lankan society. I think that these very negative attitudes lead to us

ignoring and not seeing positive occurrences in Sri Lanka.

If you don’t feel comfortable thinking anything different about politics, I hope you’ll at least consider

thinking more positive about Sri Lanka. While one section of society (politicians) has been viewed

unfavourably due to a history of corruption, bribery, getting involved with violence etc, that doesn’t

mean that there aren’t good things done by other sectors of society. You can find good work done by

volunteers, civil society, NGOs (Non Governmental Organisations), entrepreneurs among others. I

encourage you to look out for for good things happening in Sri Lanka. Being more positive about the

country leads to us feeling better and can help take Sri Lanka further.