Call-and-response, as a musical form, has a rich history in many parts of the world. In Christianity, the "antiphon" is a form of hymn in which the choir and congregation echo or answer the leader. Some believe that this practice may even have its roots in antiquity, in the Psalms of the Israelites. A similar format characterizes the Indian style of classical vocal music known as "Jugalbandhi," and call-and-response is a pervasive characteristic of sub-Saharan religious ritual and civic life, as well as in the diaspora.
Ween invokes this global legacy to examine contemporary existence through a lens of ancient heritage. While the modern slang definition of "cheese," meaning money, may cause the song to first appear only as a subtle critique of Western capitalism, the true meaning is far deeper: One must fully consider the historical universality of the song's form to understand that this modern definition must be contrasted against cheese's original implication of "sustenance." In culture as well as language, Ween observes, we increasingly define ourselves around abstract notions such as economic success, rather than in the physical world. Ween laments this moral decline, the loss of humanity's tether to substance, asking again and again how it could be restored.
The song's progression implies that this critical link is gone forever. As the singer realizes the magnitude of this existential crisis, his inquiries take on an increasingly aggressive and desperate tone; he curses in frustration, and still is not granted an answer. Instead, the music cuts out abruptly, and the listener is left only with one last statement of uncertainty before being plunged into silence.
Or maybe "Where'd the Cheese Go?," the original version of this, was written as a Pizza Hut jingle, and when it got rejected, they made this.
Way to overexplain, dude.
Or maybe "Where'd the Cheese Go?," the original version of this, was written as a Pizza Hut jingle, and when it got rejected, they made this.
Way to overexplain, dude.
Call-and-response, as a musical form, has a rich history in many parts of the world. In Christianity, the "antiphon" is a form of hymn in which the choir and congregation echo or answer the leader. Some believe that this practice may even have its roots in antiquity, in the Psalms of the Israelites. A similar format characterizes the Indian style of classical vocal music known as "Jugalbandhi," and call-and-response is a pervasive characteristic of sub-Saharan religious ritual and civic life, as well as in the diaspora.
Ween invokes this global legacy to examine contemporary existence through a lens of ancient heritage. While the modern slang definition of "cheese," meaning money, may cause the song to first appear only as a subtle critique of Western capitalism, the true meaning is far deeper: One must fully consider the historical universality of the song's form to understand that this modern definition must be contrasted against cheese's original implication of "sustenance." In culture as well as language, Ween observes, we increasingly define ourselves around abstract notions such as economic success, rather than in the physical world. Ween laments this moral decline, the loss of humanity's tether to substance, asking again and again how it could be restored.
The song's progression implies that this critical link is gone forever. As the singer realizes the magnitude of this existential crisis, his inquiries take on an increasingly aggressive and desperate tone; he curses in frustration, and still is not granted an answer. Instead, the music cuts out abruptly, and the listener is left only with one last statement of uncertainty before being plunged into silence.
Or maybe "Where'd the Cheese Go?," the original version of this, was written as a Pizza Hut jingle, and when it got rejected, they made this. Way to overexplain, dude.
Or maybe "Where'd the Cheese Go?," the original version of this, was written as a Pizza Hut jingle, and when it got rejected, they made this. Way to overexplain, dude.
@googlymoogly Thirty years ago Ween invited me to smoke weed with them and I gladly accepted. Is that what happened to you, too?
@googlymoogly Thirty years ago Ween invited me to smoke weed with them and I gladly accepted. Is that what happened to you, too?