Abstract
The object of the article is the musical production of Manowar, a heavy metal band from the United States. The study aims to show how the music of Manowar has a high political and social relevance, especially within the recent history and cultural perspective of the USA. Firstly, I present a general overview on the band’s music style, lyrical topics, stage imagery, fan behavior, and so forth. Secondly, I focus on the semiotic analysis of the song The Fight For Freedom, which features on the album Warriors of the World (2002), through the popular music semiotics categories given by Stefani and Predieri in Una Strategia di Pace: la Difesa Popolare Nonviolenta [A Strategy of Peace: the Non-violent Popular Defence] (1993). As a result, I point out how the music of Manowar conveys a twofold message. From one point of view, The Fight For Freedom is strongly related to the Twin Towers attack on 11 September 2001, and Manowar invite all their fans to fight against those who want to take their freedom away. On the other hand, the music of Manowar is also a “battle hymn” against more general difficulties in life, to which one must not surrender, but rather find the necessary strength to live a life full of experiences and courage.
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Notes
- 1.
For a detailed analysis of the acoustics of power-chords, see Lilja (2009: 102–4).
- 2.
I’m warmly thankful to my friend and devoted Manowar fan Joshua Irwin for bringing America The Beautiful to my attention.
- 3.
“Ring”: Oxford English Dictionary 2016.
- 4.
See Sect. 15.2.2. Lyrical themes and other contextual influences.
- 5.
Special can be identified as a possible section of a song, which usually comes only once and is characterized by different elements than the other parts. Such differences may regard harmony, rhythm, timbre, etc.
References
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Predieri, Paolo and Stefani, Gino. 1993. Canzoni e DPN [Songs by DPN]. Una Strategia di Pace: la Difesa Popolare Nonviolenta [A Stragety of Peace: the Non-violent Popular Defence], eds. Antonino Drago and Gino Stefani, 267–272. Bologna: FuoriTHEMA.
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Films, Music Albums
Callaham, David, and Stallone, Sylvester. 2010. The Expendables. Film, Lionsgate.
Fleischer, Richard. 1984. Conan the Destroyer. Film, Universal Pictures.
Jethro Tull. 1975. Cold Wind to Valhalla. Song, in Minstrel in the Gallery. Chrysalis.
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Discography of Manowar
The discography here enlisted includes only studio albums, live albums, live shows VHS/DVDs, and EPs. It does not include singles, compilations and demos.
1982. Battle Hymns. Liberty Records.
1983. Into Glory Ride. Megaforce Records.
1984. Hail to England. INAR Music.
1984. Sign of the Hammer. Ten Records.
1987. Fighting the World. Atco Records.
1988. Kings of Metal. Atlantic Records.
1992. The Triumph of Steel. Atlantic Records.
1996. Louder Than Hell. Geffen Records.
1997. Hell on Wheels (live). Universal Music Group.
1999. Hell on Stage (live). Nuclear Blast.
2000. Hell on Earth Part I (VHS). Nuclear Blast.
2002. Warriors of The World. Nuclear Blast.
2002. Fire and Blood (Hell on Earth Pt. II – Blood in Brazil) (DVD). SPV GmbH.
2003. Hell on Earth Part III (DVD). SPV GmbH.
2005. Hell on Earth Part IV (DVD). SPV GmbH.
2006. The Sons of Odin (EP). Magic Circle Music.
2006. Live Earthshaker 2005 – The Absolute Power (DVD). SPV GmbH.
2007. Gods of War. Magic Circle Music.
2007. Gods of War Live (live). Magic Circle Music.
2009. Thunder in the Sky (EP). Magic Circle Music.
2009. Hell on Earth Part V (DVD). Magic Circle Music.
2010. Battle Hymns MMXI (re-recording of Battle Hymns). Magic Circle Music.
2012. The Lord of Steel. Magic Circle Music.
2014. Kings of Metal MMXIV (re-recording of Kings of Metal). Magic Circle Music.
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Appendices
Appendix 1: Song Lyrics
[Verse 1] There’s a sound heard across the land
It’s heard across the sea
You’ll only hear it if you listen with your heart
And one day hope to be free
[Verse 2] To hear the sound of freedom many gave their lives
They fought for you and me
Those memories will always live inside us
And now it’s our time to be free
[Chorus] Where the eagles fly I will soon be there
If you want to come along with me my friend
Say the words and you’ll be free
From the mountains to the sea
We’ll fight for freedom again
[Verse 3] So ring out loud for all the world to hear
From sea to shining sea
Let freedom ring and every man be king
To live as one through the years
[Chorus] Where the eagles fly…
[Speical] Now’s the time we all must stand together
So raise your hands show them we are strong!
Side by side the fight goes on forever
Marching to the battle with this song
[Chorus] Where the eagles fly…
Appendix 2: Musical Transcriptions
See Figs. 15.1, 15.2 and 15.3.
The Fight for Freedom—verse
The Fight for Freedom—chorus
The Fight for Freedom—special
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Ribaldini, P. (2017). Political and Ethical Values of the Music of Manowar. In: Povilionienė, R. (eds) Sounds, Societies, Significations. Numanities - Arts and Humanities in Progress, vol 2. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47060-3_15
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