Brett Dennen Gives “Hope for the Hopeless”

In times when we are still at war, in an economic crisis, have a political candidate like McCain or just feeling down in the dumps, it’s hard not to dwell. However, it’s better to be aware than to live ignorantly in bliss. It may be hard at first but damn, if we’re unhappy we have to say what’s on our mind and make a change.

Brett Dennen is one of those artists who is able to take those thoughts we’re all thinking and channel them into an upbeat folk rock afro-caribbean songs that not only suggest messages but narrates them in an uplifting way. Just take a look at his lyrics for “Make You Crazy,” the song off his his upcoming album, Hope for the Hopeless (due October 24th on Downtown Records). Go ahead and also download the track featuring Femi Kuti then try to tell me you don’t feel the same way about the situation we’re in today.

Brett Dennen: “Make You Crazy” – Download

You know it’s hard to be yourself, 
free yourself, to see yourself
When all around you there are lies just to get you, 
Spies just to get you, to buy so they can get you

There are cameras in the sky, lasers in our living rooms
There are wolves watching wearing sheep’s costumes

It’s enough to make you go crazy (Woah)
It’s enough to make you mad
It’s enough to make you go crazy (Woah)
And I’m amazed I haven’t yet

Isn’t it a shame the way we cheat each other, treat each other, beat each other?
It’s a shame the way we use one other, abuse one another, and screw one another, it’s true.

They will lock you up in prison but they won’t call it slavery
There are stolen children raised and trained in armies

It’s enough to make you go crazy (Woah)
It’s enough to make you mad
It’s enough to make you go crazy (Woah)
And I’m amazed I haven’t yet

Don’t hesitate to speak your mind (Speak your mind)
Never hesitate to speak your heart (Speak your heart)
They’ll call you crazy when you speak your mind (When you speak your mind)
So never, never hesitate (Never hesitate)

‘Cause it’s enough to make you go crazy (Woah)
It’s enough to make you mad
It’s enough to make you go crazy (Woah)
And I’m amazed I haven’t yet

Femi solo

NA SOL THEM GO LOCK YOU FOR PRISON
NA SOL THEM GO BEAT YOU FOR PRISON
THEM NO CALL IT SLAVERY
IT’S HIM THAT MAKE ME VEX

NA SOL THEM GO LOCK YOU FOR PRISON
NA SOL THEM GO BEAT YOU FOR PRISON
IT’S HIM THAT MAKE ME VEX
IT’S HIM THAT MAKE ME CRAZE

It’s enough to make you go crazy (Woah)
It’s enough to make you mad
It’s enough to make you go crazy (Woah)
And I’d be crazy not to care

Photo courtesy of brettdennen.net/