Tyler Brooks
Saul Williams is a multi-talented artist, poet, award-winning screenwriter, and actor, who gained global fame at the turn of the century. His unique style of MCing blends poetry with rhythmic spoken word. In his song 'Ohm', Williams sings about burning seven-day candles that melt into twelve-inch circles. Similarly, in his song 'Burundi', Williams uses the metaphor of a candle to represent resilience and resistance in the face of adversity. Williams' work often explores global issues and political themes, as seen in his album 'MartyrLoserKing', which coincided with democratic unrest in Burundi.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lyrics | "I'm a candle, I'm a candle Chop my neck a million times, I still burn bright and stand, yo Vigil in the middle of your occupied locations One that burns for haters, one that burns for Haitians I'm a candle, I'm a candle Chop my neck a million times, I still burn bright and stand, yo Burning in the middle of your mosques and in your chapel Licking that forbidden fruit through bitten glowing apples" |
| Album | MartyrLoserKing |
| Year | 2016 |
| Other Songs in the Album | Burundi |
| Lyric | "I burn seven day candles that melt into twelve-inch circles" |
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What You'll Learn
Saul Williams' 'Were Candles' references the song 'Ohm'
Saul Williams is a multi-hyphenate, multidisciplinary artist who gained global fame for his poetry and writing at the turn of the 21st century. He is also a singer, musician, actor, screenwriter, known for blending poetry with alternative hip-hop. His approach to MCing involves delivering his poetry in a frenzied spoken-word manner that is more rhythmic than alliterative.
Williams' song "Ohm" features the lyrics "I burn seven-day candles that melt / Into twelve-inch circles on my mantle." Here, Williams is directly referencing candles.
Williams' song "Burundi" also contains references to candles. The chorus includes the lyrics: "I'm a candle, I'm a candle / Chop my neck a million times, I still burn bright and stand, yo / Vigil in the middle of your occupied locations / One that burns for haters, one that burns for Haitians / I'm a candle, I'm a candle." In a press release, Williams explained that his goal with the album *MartyrLoserKing*, which includes the song "Burundi," was to "skim global issues, throw them into my drum machine and see what polyrhythms formed."
The references to candles in both "Ohm" and "Burundi" can be interpreted as symbols of resilience and resistance. In "Ohm," Williams sings about burning seven-day candles, which could represent endurance and persistence, as seven-day candles are commonly used in religious or spiritual contexts to represent faith and devotion. In "Burundi," the candle is presented as a symbol of protest and defiance, as it continues to burn even when faced with adversity ("Chop my neck a million times, I still burn bright and stand"). This interpretation is supported by Williams' own statement about the song, where he expresses his hope that the song will "give the protesters the fuel they need to overcome over-militarized police and power-hungry politicians."
Thus, while the specific lyrics and contexts differ between the two songs, the references to candles in both "Ohm" and "Burundi" can be seen as powerful metaphors that reflect Williams' social consciousness and engagement with global issues.
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'Were Candles' is from the album 'MartyrLoserKing'
"Were Candles" is indeed from Saul Williams' album MartyrLoserKing, released in 2016. The song's lyrics are filled with imagery of candles burning at both ends, representing resilience and resistance in the face of oppressive powers. In the song, Williams identifies as a candle, stating that even if his "neck [is] chopped a million times," he will still "burn bright and stand." This theme aligns with Williams' stated goal for the album, which was to address global issues and current events through his music.
The song "Were Candles" can be interpreted as a powerful statement of defiance and perseverance. By comparing himself to a candle, Williams suggests that he, like a candle, will continue to shine and resist even when faced with challenges or attempts to silence him. This interpretation is reinforced by the song's chorus, where Williams repeats the phrase "I'm a candle" with great emphasis.
The imagery of candles burning at both ends also suggests a sense of urgency and the need for action. Candles burning at both ends consume themselves more quickly, emitting a brighter light for a shorter period. This imagery may reflect a call to action, urging listeners to seize the moment and stand up for what they believe in while they still have the chance.
The album MartyrLoserKing, from which "Were Candles" is taken, was released during a time of political unrest and global challenges. In an interview, Williams stated that his goal with the album was to "skim global issues, throw them into [his] drum machine, and see what polyrhythms formed." This approach is evident in "Were Candles," where the powerful message of resistance and perseverance is delivered through the compelling imagery of burning candles.
Overall, "Were Candles" serves as a testament to Saul Williams' unique artistic vision and his ability to address global issues through his music. The song's powerful imagery and message of resilience resonate with listeners, making it a standout track on the album MartyrLoserKing.
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The song 'Burundi' also appears on 'MartyrLoserKing'
Saul Williams is a multi-hyphenate, multidisciplinary artist who is known for his unique artistic approach. His song 'Burundi' is featured on his 2016 album 'MartyrLoserKing'. The song was the first to be recorded for the album and was released during a time of democratic unrest in Burundi, as the country's president attempted to rewrite the constitution to allow himself to run for a third term.
Williams explained his intention behind the album 'MartyrLoserKing' in a press release:
> "My goal with MartyrLoserKing was to skim global issues, throw them into my drum machine and see what polyrhythms formed. Never did I imagine that the release of Burundi, the first song recorded for the album, would coincide with democratic unrest in Burundi as their president attempts to re-write their constitution to run for a 3rd term."
The song 'Burundi' reflects Williams' desire to address global issues and empower those facing political oppression. The lyrics of the song allude to themes of resistance, freedom, and standing up against authoritarian power.
In the chorus of 'Burundi', Williams repeats the line "I'm a candle", conveying a message of resilience and perseverance even in the face of adversity:
> "I'm a candle, I'm a candle
> Chop my neck a million times, I still burn bright and stand, yo
> Vigil in the middle of your occupied locations
> One that burns for haters, one that burns for Haitians."
The candle serves as a powerful metaphor for the indomitable spirit of those fighting for democracy and social justice.
The song 'Burundi' and the album 'MartyrLoserKing' showcase Saul Williams' ability to blend social commentary with artistic expression, using his platform to address pressing global issues and inspire positive change.
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'Were Candles' references the collective 'we'
Saul Williams is a multi-hyphenate, multidisciplinary artist who gained global fame for his poetry and writing at the turn of the 21st century. He has performed in over 30 countries and read in over 300 universities, with invitations to perform at prestigious venues such as the White House, the Sydney Opera House, Lincoln Center, and The Louvre.
Williams' unique approach to MCing sets him apart from the traditional school of hip-hop. His rhymes are more akin to poetry delivered in a frenzied spoken-word manner that emphasizes rhythm over alliteration. This distinctive style is evident in his song "Were Candles" from the album "MartyrLoserKing" (2016).
In "Were Candles," Williams uses the extended metaphor of a candle to represent resilience and resistance in the face of adversity. The chorus repeats the line, "I'm a candle," emphasizing the speaker's unwavering determination:
> Chop my neck a million times, I still burn bright and stand, yo
> Vigil in the middle of your occupied locations
> One that burns for haters, one that burns for Haitians
Here, the candle symbolizes the collective "we," a group facing oppression and adversity. Despite being "chopped" or faced with violence and repression, the candle continues to burn brightly, serving as a beacon of resistance and hope.
This interpretation is reinforced by Williams himself, who stated that his goal with "MartyrLoserKing" was to:
> skim global issues, throw them into my drum machine and see what polyrhythms formed.
The song "Were Candles" is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the strength that comes from unity and collective action. By referring to the collective "we," Williams emphasizes the power of community and solidarity in overcoming oppressive forces, be they over-militarized police, power-hungry politicians, or any other form of injustice.
Through his art, Williams inspires and fuels protesters and activists, encouraging them to raise their voices and stand strong in the face of adversity, much like the unwavering candle that burns brightly even when chopped.
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The song 'Were Candles' is about resilience
Saul Williams is a multi-hyphenate, multidisciplinary artist who gained global fame for his poetry and writing at the turn of the century. His unique approach to MCing blends his poetry with rhythmic spoken word. In his song "Were Candles", Williams explores themes of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The lyrics of "Were Candles" serve as a powerful testament to resilience. Williams describes himself as a candle that continues to burn brightly even when faced with challenges and obstacles. The image of a candle that remains upright and illuminated despite having its neck chopped a million times is a strong metaphor for resilience and determination. This verse conveys the message of standing strong and shining a light, even in occupied locations or places of worship.
In the chorus, Williams repeats the phrase, "I'm a candle," emphasizing his unwavering resolve. The candle becomes a symbol of resistance and endurance, burning in the face of opposition. The song's message resonates with those facing oppression or struggling against power-hungry politicians and over-militarized police, as mentioned in Williams' press release for the album. He intends to fuel protesters and empower those seeking democratic change.
The song "Were Candles" is a rallying cry for resilience and resistance. Williams' lyrics encourage listeners to maintain their inner fire and stand firm, even when facing difficulties or oppressive forces. The candle becomes a metaphor for the human spirit's endurance, illuminating even the darkest places and providing hope and strength to continue the fight. Williams' powerful imagery and message of resilience have the potential to inspire and empower individuals facing a variety of struggles, whether personal or political.
Williams' song "Were Candles" is a testament to his unique artistic vision and his ability to blend themes and ideas seamlessly. Through his art, he strives to address global issues and spark meaningful change. "Were Candles" serves as an anthem for resilience, encouraging listeners to draw strength from within and continue burning brightly, no matter the challenges they face.
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Frequently asked questions
The song appears to be about resilience and resistance, with the candle as a metaphor for a person who continues to shine and stand even when faced with adversity.
The song 'Were Candles' does not appear to be a song by Saul Williams. However, the lyrics "I burn seven day candles that melt/Into twelve-inch circles" appear in his song 'Ohm'.
Saul Williams' song Burundi from the album 'MartyrLoserKing' also contains themes of resistance, with references to "over-militarized police & power-hungry politicians".
