The American Dream Through Turkish and Italian Eyes

A Story Unfolding Across Timelines

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Discovering new cultures is fascinating. I love hearing their stories, learning about their roots, and understanding their lives. When I’m curious about a new culture, nation, or country, my discovery journey begins with reading about them and listening to their music because that is the foundation of understanding who they are, what they dream about, and what their message to the world is.

Music represents society and reflects a community's cultural richness. It mirrors the ability to innovate and indicates a culture's freedom to express thoughts and feelings. Music also shows an openness to exploring new styles and a desire to collaborate with musicians from different cultures and genres.

Music has the power to heal our souls. Music is a language where one can connect to the melody and feel the energy of a story through the sounds of music without needing to understand the lyrics. All we need to do is feel the music and get into a magical world. Music can bridge people, nations, and cultures. Music is a significant source of enabling world peace.

When people ask me to tell them about Israel and what it is like, one of the first topics I start with is music. Israel is a melting pot of Jewish communities around the world, which is reflected in our music culture and the country’s talented musicians. After introducing you to Berry Sakharof, I’m introducing you to his long-time music pal and good friend Rami Fortis, who wrote some of the most impactful texts in the 80s and 90s that are still relevant today.

When I’m drawn into a song, I can listen to it on repeat for hours or days. When the lyrics meet my reality and merge perfectly with the melody, my heart beats with the song's rhythm. I have seen many live shows of Fortis in my life, and he takes the audience on a tour of a world where they learn how to think critically and ask questions about the current reality. Only a few can do what Rami Fortis has done by writing accurate lyrics that reflect the complexities of Israeli reality, the dynamics of the world, and the dialogue with innovation.

Rami Fortis became known as a pioneer of Israeli punk rock. He was born in Kiryat Ono, a suburb of Tel Aviv, to an Italian-Iraqi-Jewish family. Fortis began his music career as a lighting technician, and during shows, the band would get him on stage to sing with them. Fortis served in the Yom Kippur War in 1973 and was influenced by his experiences at the front, which are reflected in the impactful and precise texts he wrote, which are still relevant today.

Fortis and Sakharof's journey took a new turn following the American Dream's setback. Having spent a few years in Europe, the longtime friends returned to Israel and released a debut album. This fruitful collaboration gave birth to many songs that have become staple assets of Israeli culture. One of the popular ones is 'America.'

The song critiques the American Dream and the United States' global influence. Fortis paints a picture of America as a land of opportunity and abundance but also corrupt and exploitative. In his interpretation, the American Dream is an illusion that is no longer attainable for most people. The song is a complex and nuanced look at the United States and its place in the world. It is both critical and hopeful, and it challenges the listener to consider the true meaning of the American Dream.

America

Uncle Sam is a superstar; sells me weapons and guns??

Vietnam it isn't there, and we are also far away??

Miami is nice and quite pleasant, and they don't throw stones there??

Disneyland and movie stars, they even sell the moon??

There is a limit; there is no limit; Hollywood no longer remembers??

There is a limit; there is no limit; Hollywood no longer remembers??

How and what???

How many songs can be written about America???

Emigrate to, emigrate from, return, emigrate to America.??

Uncle Sam looks at me from greenish dollar bills??

A President actor and a drug dealer do business together??

Everything is possible if you pay, even being God??

A perfect world, beautiful colors, and only we are still crying??

There is a limit; there is no limit; Hollywood no longer remembers??

There is a limit; there is no limit; Hollywood no longer remembers??

How and what???

How many songs can be written about America???

Emigrate to, emigrate from, return, emigrate to America.

What do you think when you read the translation of the lyrics and listen to the music? These lyrics were Written in the 1980s and still resonate today, raising many questions and sparking many thoughts. Let the music take you on a journey of discovery and reflection. How does music from other cultures resonate with you, and what stories do you hear in their melodies?

Stay tuned for the next part of this journey, where we'll dive even deeper into the fascinating world of Israeli music and its cultural significance.

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With all my love and gratitude,

Liat

Unlock my potential to write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told. Your support on Substack or Patreon would make a big difference in taking this journey to the next level.

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Liat