Friday Musical Pump Up

Today's pump up selection is Men at Work's "Land Down Under."

There are a lot of interpretations as to what this song means. Generally, people agree that the song is about drugs and a traveling Australian who is greeted with kindness because of his nationality. Some of the other interpretations take it to be slightly deeper or not deep at all. All interpretations agree that this song is superb and so bad-ass that even babies weep out of happiness.

I can understand these other views of the song, but I think it's more complex. This song is also about conquering your fears. It's about not being afraid to put your neck out a little.

While the whole song shows examples about conquering fear, the second verse's alliteration is the best example. The singer in this song is a traveler who shows no fear and is rewarded with kindness and a good time. He approaches a stranger who is huge and muscular. This should be an intimidating situation. But the muscular man greets the signer as a brother and even feeds him a vegemite sandwich (which to most people this would be a fate worse than death, but we're talking about Aussies here and they like that stuff).

The muscular man clearly represents your fears. And the signer conquers this representation of fears by merely approaching it. He's saying to not be afraid. Look your fears in the eyes and approach them. SO the thought of the day is to go out there and face down your fears. A girl you like? Go talk to her. Don't be afraid. Are you intimidated by your boss? Don't be! Show her what you can do! Don't want to walk down a dark alley? Do it. You never know what's down there that could be great! Let whatever is in the alleyway be your vegemite sandwich.

And now I'll get all biblical on yo ass.

Be not afraid.
I go before you always;
Come follow me,
and I will give you rest.
Joshua 1:9