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My ‘Go-To’ Song for Right Now

Posted Apr 17, 2020, by Veronica Coptis


Machine_Imagine_Dragons.jpg

As part of our What’s on your mind? blog series, we will be posting mid-month entries by CCJ staff as a way for you to get to know us better and to provide topical variety that is of interest to our members. This second mid-month staff post is by our Executive Director Veronica Coptis:

Even before the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, I needed a song to help amp up my mindset, tackle my day, give a big presentation, or testify before decision-makers. The song “Machine” by the Imagine Dragons has been my go-to for the past couple of months. It has such a nice beat that gets your blood pumping and mood up. The lyrics really speak to me, particularly about the fight for economic justice in this region. The first clause is about how the status quo is not working for most people and all the wealth has stayed with the rich. “Trickle-down” doesn’t happen and it’s about time to raise up and petition. The second clause is about keeping motivated and not being scared of the industries and people in power, because you are determined to push for your vision and what is just for our world. The chorus, which repeats many times throughout the song, is about how we can’t win by being part of the machine (or system) that already exists and in fact, we are creating our own new machine. Check out the lyrics here (and below, there are links to listen to the song):

All my life I’ve been sittin’ at the table

Watchin’ them kids, they’re living in a fable

Looks, luck, money and never left a wishin’

But now it’s ’bout time to raise up and petition

All my life I’ve been sittin’ at the table

Watching them kids, they’re living in a fable

Looks, luck, money and never left a wishin’

Now it’s ’bout time to stand up and petition

‘Cause I’ve been wondering

When you gonna see I’m not for sale

I’ve been questioning

When you gonna see I’m not a part of your machine

Not a part of your machine

I’m not scared of what you’re gonna tell me

No, I’m not scared of the beast in the belly

Fill my cup with endless ambition

And paint this town with my very own vision

I’m not scared of what you’re gonna tell me

And I’m not scared of the beast in the belly

Fill my cup with endless ambition

And paint this town with my very own vision

‘Cause I’ve been wondering

When you gonna see I’m not for sale

I’ve been questioning

When you gonna see I’m not a part of your machine

Not a part of your machine

I am the machine

I am the machine

‘Cause I’ve been wondering

When you gonna see I’m not for sale

I’ve been questioning

When you gonna see I’m not a part of your machine

Not a part of your machine

‘Cause I’ve been wondering

When you gonna see I’m not for sale

I’ve been questioning

When you gonna see I’m not a part of your machine

Not a part of your machine

I am the machine

Listen to the song here:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BahtnT13vH8 

https://music.apple.com/us/album/machine/1437948883?i=1437948983 

Link to lyrics video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s35ss71AhMg

As the COVID-19 Pandemic has moved through our communities and we are seeing the huge inequities play out – for example, in how the poor and people of color are impacted more by this crisis – we can all learn from these lyrics and create our own machine to develop a vision and new system that will work for everyone in our community; one that won’t pit the have-nots against the haves.  

Author

  • Veronica Coptis

    Veronica Coptis joined the CCJ staff in March 2013 as a Community Organizer and is now serving as the Executive Director. She grew up in western Greene County near the Bailey Mine Complex and currently lives in the eastern part of the county. Before joining the CCJ staff, Veronica served on the Board of Directors for CCJ and organized with Mountain Watershed Association. She received a bachelor’s degree in biology from West Virginia University. She enjoys hiking and geocaching at Ryerson State Park and other areas around Greene County with her husband and daughters. Read more about Veronica in a New Yorker Magazine profile at https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/07/03/the-future-of-coal-country. Contact Veronica at veronica@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org.

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