Skip to main content

Maverick Ad

Home

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Cover Stories
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Legacy Awards
  • Past Covers
  • Weekly Archive
Ryan Shane Owen Returns With Seinfeld-Inspired Power Popper "War - What Is It Good For"

Breadcrumb

  • Home
  • Ryan Shane Owen Returns With Seinfeld-Inspired Power Popper "War - What Is It Good For"
Ryan Shane Owen
Fri Jun 09, 2023
Cashbox Canada

After releasing a trilogy of melodic, irresistibly catchy dance music albums (and a few singles) over the past few years, (independent Canadian artist) Ryan Shane Owen has begun to shift his music in a new direction. Looking to incorporate more elements of comedy, which has always been a big artistic influence in his work, Ryan has been looking to various comedic sources for inspiration.

One evening while brainstorming, with the news on broadcasting the horrors of war in the background, a phrase came to mind that Ryan remembered from one of his favourite 'Seinfeld' episodes. In the episode, Jerry jokingly tells Elaine that the original title for Tolstoy's "War and Peace" was "War, What Is It Good For?" To Elaine's chagrin, she believes him, and embarrassingly relates the 'story' to her book-publishing industry boss. Jerry's joke references a line from the 1969 song "War" by Edwin Starr.

Check it out on YouTube here:

Ryan entertained the idea that the line would make a great song title, and as his concept developed, he came up with a melody and lyrics to what he imagined as a sort of "stadium-rock" style anthem. He decided to release it as a single. Although the idea came from the Seinfeld episode, "War- What Is It Good For" is a completely original new song by Ryan Shane Owen, with no resemblance/similarity to "War" by Edwin Starr, other than the title.

War, what is it good for, we can’t take it anymore
We don’t need to kill each other now

War, what is it good for, we can’t take it anymore
We’ve got to live together somehow

Witnessing the unbearable tragedy of war is something that unfortunately, has again deeply touched all of humanity. Especially in these recent years, when so many of us have suffered with grief, loss, and hardship, Ryan hopes to offer words of encouragement. "Although it often seems like a very dark and hopeless place these days, try not to give up on the world", Ryan says. Intended not to refer to any specific war, but rather as an inspirational message of peace, hope, and unity, Ryan certainly means no disrespect to veterans or the military.

Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/track/6LjGu1ffbcQVYcOJYPsnJM

With a storied and colourful background in many aspects of music and the arts, Ryan has lived across Canada from Victoria to as far east as Montreal. He grew up learning classical piano, taught himself guitar, and moved on to electronic music production. Over the years, he's worked with many fellow artists, more in the background rather than as the 'frontman’ and has been involved in almost every aspect of music, as well as the visual and performing arts.

Although he had some vocal training and experience over the years, it was just over the past four years in which he really began to develop his voice as a singer. His variety of life experiences and various struggles has provided Ryan with a rich tapestry to draw on as he continues his life-long artistic journey.

With a soaring melody, Ryan's latest single lends itself well to being covered and re-interpreted by other artists in different styles, something which Ryan would love, as he enjoys songwriting for other artists as well. A prolific composer and multi-disciplinary artist, Ryan now has approximately 50 original songs to his name. His love of learning cover songs is part of how he has of developed his songwriting abilities, now a 4 to 500 song strong repertoire.)

Before releasing his original music, Ryan spent a few years releasing a diverse variety of cover songs on YouTube and Instagram, which he still enjoys doing. Tune into his social media to check out his covers of anti-war classics which he is currently putting out to coincide with the theme of "War-What Is It Good For."

ryanshaneowen.com

Reviews
Album
Ryan Shane Owen
Month: May 2023
The Wandering Off Calgary’s Dynamic Rocker Duo The Wandering Off Release “Knick Of Time”
Don Ross Guitarist/Singer/Composer Don Ross Captures The Sunny, Breezy Joy of Being…
Econoline Crush Econoline Crush Are Back With New Single “No Quitter” And Canadian Tour Dates
JACKIE K JACKIE K Releases 3rd Single “We Can’t Quit” From She’s A Story Album
Huguette Lavigne Ottawa-Based Pianist Huguette Lavigne Releases Shimmering, Atmospheric “…
Turbine Montreal-Based Turbine's New Single “Reality” Invents a New Universe…
Altered by Mom Canada’s Rock Power Couple ALTERED BY MOM Releases “Waiting On A Sign That’s…
Ana Pac Triple-Threat Ana Pac Brings The “Good Vibes” With New Single
André Bisson Plays The Soul Protector With “Shake” Multi-Award Winning Bluesman André Bisson Plays The Soul Protector With “Shake”
Charile Weber and The Glorious Failures Charlie Weber And The Glorious Failures Strengthen Their Resolve In "I…
David Deacon Seasoned Bluesman David Deacon Decries Our Endless Summer of Superficiality…
Chester Doom Chester Doom Releases the Epic “Not Far Behind” From CROWS GO HOME Album
Christine Jensen Saxophonist, Composer and Conductor Christine Jensen, One of Canada’s Most…
Crashing Wayward Photo Credit Julie Bergon Crashing Wayward Release Video For “Closer” The Las Vegas-Based Modern Rock…
Derina Harvey Band Edmonton’s Celtic Rockers Derina Harvey Band Release “Waves of Home”

Pagination

  • First page « First
  • Previous page ‹ Previous
  • …
  • Page 95
  • Page 96
  • Page 97
  • Page 98
  • Current page 99
  • Page 100
  • Page 101
  • Page 102
  • Page 103
  • …
  • Next page Next ›
  • Last page Last »

CEO/PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF
SANDY GRAHAM

email:sandygrahamemg@gmail.com 

Canadian Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Don Graham
email: dongrahamwriter@gmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Lisa Hartt
email: lisahartt87@hotmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada 
Michael Williams
email: greydread@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

International Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Malin Osth
email: malin@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Jonas Tancred
email: jonas@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - USA
Rob Durkee 
email: rockster2746@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Web Developer/Technical Support
Chris Wardman

email: info@chriswardman.com
website: chriswardman.com

Cashbox Cover Design and Graphic Artist
Jain McMillan

email: jainmcmillan@gmail.com

Contributing Photographer 
Tracey Savein - South Paw Productions
southpawproductions@rogers.com

 

 

 

Footer menu

  • Home
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Archive
  • Issue Archive
  • Past Covers