In Radio Tower, our biweekly column, we take a look at a song from the ‘60s, ‘70s or ‘80s and analyze how they apply to the world today.
While music has been proven to describe what we struggle with personally, and as a society. Artists from past generations set the stage with songs to connect with their listeners, not only to bring comfort but also to be a source of reliability and become a safe space.
Jethro Tull released an album named “Aqualung” on March 19, 1971, which featured a compilation of songs questioning organized religion and society. One track that stood out the most was “Locomotive Breath,” a song that was about society, human behavior, and rapid population growth.
“Old Charlie stole the handle / And the train it won’t stop / Oh no way to slow down / He sees his children jumping off / At the stations one by one.”
According to an article by Nick DeRiso, he credited the song for a “combination of blues rock, madrigal whimsy and prog”. With pieces of each member of the band towards the end of the song. DeRiso also stated the song builds with its driving riff and rhythm.
DeRiso describes the song as a “prophetic indictment of overpopulation,” since the song was released in the 70s and we are seeing the same issue that Tull describes in his track now in the 2020s.
The words “train” and “it won’t slow down” were repeatedly used. Trains go at rapid speeds, which symbolizes the quick growth of the population, with no signs of it slowing down.
Populations grow and get bigger every second; many fears come with having the earth dangerously populated. Some people have questioned if our natural resources will eventually run out, if our food supply will support so many people, and whether we will be able to get healthy, fresh-quality food.
As of November 2022, the world has reached a population of 8 billion people, according to an estimation by the UN. According to the Sustainable Development Goals by the UN, Goal 12 addresses consumption and production patterns and the rapid growth of the human population.
The article warns that if the world population reaches 9.8 billion by 2050, we will need the equivalent of almost three planets of natural resources to sustain the current average lifestyle of humanity. Goal 12 outlines targets for countries to strive for to help bring down food waste, environmental impact and fossil fuel consumption.
Although the UN warns of the global population rising, the world has seen a slowed growth in recent years, with fertility rates decreasing in almost every country. According to an article in Global Health published by Harvard, David Bloom, professor of economics and demography, projects that due to the slowed rate of growth, the population could peak at 10.3 billion before declining in 2084.
The UN’s Goal 12 is part of a greater initiative to create a more sustainable world, where they outline 17 goals that address global challenges ranging from poverty, hunger and sickness, to social equality, innovation and climate action. Each goal outlines what people can do as individuals and businesses, and how it applies to everyone.
