American oxygen

American Oxygen by Rihanna

Presentation by Diana Bredenko

Why did I choose this song?

• Everybody knows Rihanna
• Popular artist
• I liked the vido clip of the song

What is the message of the song?

• Chasing the American Dream
• Everybody can be who he wants to be
• The life of the American immigrants is not that easy

Content

• Breathing the American oxygen
• Chasing the American Dream
• You can be anything in America
• Immigrants coming from all over the world
• Opportunity to achieve the American Dream through hard work

Which image is conveyed in this song?

• Cohesion of the American people
• That you can be anything in America
• “new America” → immigrants and minorities form the society of America
• Anyone can achieve anything through hard work

Rihanna

• Grew up in Barbados with a Barbadian father and a Guyanese mother
• In a small bungalow along with her two younger brothers
• Was discovered by the American record producer Evan Rogers who invited her to the United States to record demo tapes

Has the American dream come true for her?

• Childhood not easy
• Money always low
• Biggest wish to become a star
• When Rihanna was 19 years old she was topping the charts and living the dream

Refrain

Breathe out, breathe in American oxygen Every breath I breathe Chasin' this American Dream We sweat for a nickel and a dime Turn it into an empire Breathe in, this feeling American, American oxygen

Oxygen full of power

Data 3

American people are hard workers

From small things you can create something great

Data 4

Repeats the word "America" very often

First verse

Allusion to the national anthem of America

Oh say, can you see This is the American Dream Young girl, hustlin' on the other side of the ocean You can be anything at all in America, America (America, America) I say if you can't see Just close your eyes and breathe

Data 3

Repetition

Data 4

Second verse

Allusion to the national anthem of America

Oh say, can you see This is the American Dream Young boy, hustlin' Tryna get the wheels in motion But he can be anything at all In America, America I say if you can't see Just close your eyes and breathe

Data 3

Repetition

Data 4

"This is the new AmericaWe are the new America"

Rihanna

The immigrant groups and minorities that advocate for justice and opportunity

Music

• Piano
• Sings slowly but powerfull
• Choir at the end

The video clip

Sources (pictures + information)

• https://immigrationanddiversity.weebly.com/american-oxygen---rihanna.html
• https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/24447/1/rihanna-gets-political-on-the-american-oxygen-music-video
• https://www.goalcast.com/2018/01/30/rihannas-life-story/
• http://melodyillusion.blogspot.com/2017/05/meaning-of-american-oxygen-by-rihanna.html
• https://lavishrebellion.com/2015/04/06/where-were-the-women-in-rihannas-american-oxygen-video/
• https://www.pinterest.de/pin/815010863789741291/