Despite the fact both “Have a Cigar” and “Rock n’ Roll Band”
portray the image of a band’s Rise to Fame and their ride aboard “the Gravy
Train”, Pink Floyd incorporates a rather mocking tone through sarcasm to attack
the self-centered ideologies of Record Companies, whereas Boston presents the
joyful, brighter side of success and fame through a tone reminiscing of their
unforgettable time as a “Rock and roll band”.
At face value,
both songs do portray in a sense a band’s rise to riches and fame from nothing
to greatness. Tone-wise, the speakers of each (not the song-writers) both seem
drive for the band’s success and rise into the world’s view. Diving further,
the deepest similarity which can be drawn between the two songs is the presence
of the record big-boss or CEO trying to sign them and bring this “band” into
the spotlight. “You’re goin’ to be a sensation! “ (Boston) “You’re gonna fly
high” (Pink Floyd) Each song idolizes the record man as a supporter, as someone
who is pushing for the band’s success. Additionally, a cigar appears a
motif/symbol in each song characterizing the record man as someone of wealth,
and for “Have a Cigar” someone of corruption. It serves as a cliché in a sense
as well, though it does not clearly possess a negative or derogatory
connotation in both songs.
Digging
deeper past face value, the two songs not only are communicating a different
message, but are told in different points of views and nearly opposite tones.
Boston presents the bright side of fame “Anticipating love and music” (Boston),
not evil, corruption, or greed. They express (through 1st person) the times
they had as a group, the fun they had, and the success they achieved. In
complete contrast to the excited and positive tone of Boston, Pink Floyd paints
a darker side of the music industry, a side tainted with corruption and the
singular desire for wealth. Through hollow statement like “You’re never gonna
die” the record guy’s true nature is unveiled along with Pink Floyd’s true tone
and purpose behind writing the song: to make known this not so bright side of
the music industry. “Oh by the way, which one’s Pink?” (Pink Floyd) again
serves to reinforce the mocking of the industry, undermining the man’s apparent
love for band with the fact he is totally unaware of the band’s actual
members.
The
greatness of the two songs in their entirety is the prevalent message each
convey. In a sense both speak the same words, yet Pink Floyd utilizes a complex
usage of tone to add depth and more sophisticated meaning to their song “Have a
Cigar”. Though Boston’s meaning is much more straight forward and to the point,
their tone is clearly heard through their lyrics even with listening.
Ultimately, both song’s will last for years to come alongside the meanings both
bands fought to express.
