Music itself is a form of protest. Singer/songwriter Norah Jones makes her own statement on today’s socio-political climate in the video for her latest single “Flipside.” The piano-driven tune is as defiant as Jones’ lyrics as she declares, “You saw your reflection all over the news / Your temperature's well past a hundred and two / Put the guns away, or we'll all gonna lose.” In the powerful video, director Sam Kuhn showcases her awestruck face, washed in color, as she views footage of various protests including the Civil Rights movement of the '60s and the more recent Black Lives Matter demonstrations.
“Flipside” is the latest offering from Jones’ sixth LP Day Breaks, released last year. In a recent interview, she says she drew inspiration for the track from Les McCann’s 1969 tune “Compared to What” and was influenced by how “grooving and amazing it is, but it’s also very political and it’s just from the gut.” She also drew from recent world events, stating, "The refugee stuff in Europe, gun violence in our country, terrorist attacks, the tension between the police and the African-American community and people getting shot – this last year's been intense.” We love that Norah is using her art and voice for change. This takes us back to a time when artists weren't afraid to use their mediums as powerful expressions of their thoughts and feelings regarding the things going on around them.
Watch Norah Jones’ message of resistance in her video for “Flipside,” and if you hadn’t already make sure to add Day Breaks to your collection here.
