Single Review: Revolution

Ed Waaka might ruffle a few redneck feathers with the powerful video and tribute “to early generations of Maori who fought in the name of indigenous rights amid times of social and political conflict” that accompany his latest single Revolution. Old wounds can still fester and the inherited guilt and shame of guiltless generations still has an ugly underbelly in New Zealand. Waaka, though, isn’t picking the scab or playing the blame game. The revolution he’s talking about is more of an internal one, the kind that Bob Marley always alluded too. He’s one of the most powerful voices on the local songwriting landscape.

An acoustic guitar introduces the questioning lyric “What if we could be everything we were meant to be? Could we change the world? Doesn’t matter what you got to do. Just as long as your heart is true You could do no harm”. A beautiful organ sound, the soulful sort that makes you think of Booker T. and the M.G.s infuses its way into the song and then a poignant piano melody accentuates the chorus.

Before it hits, Waaka delivers a line that is stunning in its simplicity: “But imagine what the world could do If lies were replaced with truth. Dreams to be pursued”. Fifty years ago, a songwriting genius and revolutionary shared a similar sentiment: “Imagine there are no countries. It isn’t hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for. And no religion too”. Sometimes changing external circumstances is a necessary part of the process of transformation that brings about unity where there was conflict but ultimately, and, this is just my bias and take on Revolution, without renewing our hearts and minds fear will always find a place where love could be. No Ed, you’re not crazy. We need more visionaries like you.