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I chose "Titanium" by David Guetta because in the song, he says repeatedly "You shoot me down but I won't fall I am titanium, I am titanium, I am titanium, I am titanium." I connect this with the book because through all the struggles and scary times that Ishmael faces, he never gives up. Someone might believe that someone that age wouldn't be able to survive that long, but Ishmael proves he is "titanium" .

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"What I've Done" by Linkin Park.
I choose this song, because it represents how Ishmael felt when he was rehabilitating talking about all the terrible things he had done in the war and the experience of it. Or how he would have to relive those memories of the war if he wanted to think about his childhood effectively creating a barrier between him, and his childhood memories that he so badly wants to hold onto, and not forget.

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"One Love" by Bob Marley
This song is connected to a long way gone because reggae was very popular in this area. Also this has a connection because of the amputations.

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"Dead and Gone" by TI and Justin Timberlake

The song by the artist speaks on how life can change in a heartbeat. Life can be nice and dandy, then suddenly, a loved one is gone. Then after the pain wrong instincts come in and try to takeover your life.

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Under the Bridge by RHCP
At the end of the song, it talks about how he had to give his life away. I believe that this relates to how Ishmael had to give away his old life as a soldier to come to a new life, even though it is hard to let go.

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“The Cut Off” by J Cole because this song talks about the use of drugs and alcohol to relieve pain and struggles in life. Just like Ishmael smokes marijuana and snorts brown-brown. The song also talks about getting revenge on fake people and people that hurt J Cole. This reminds meof  Ishmael as well since the rebels killed his family and he got revenge by being forced to work in a small army.

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¨Purpose¨ by Justin Bieber
In this song Justin sings about how hard of a time he was having in his life by describing the mental journey he was going through. He also hints at ending his life and giving it to God, saying, ¨Here´s my soul to keep...Thinking my journey´s come to an end.¨ This relates to Ishmael and his situation because before being captured by the army he said several times in the book that he felt his life had no purpose anymore because everyday was the same thing, running, because nowhere was safe. He felt as if there was no end, until he joined the army. The song says,¨I let you in with all that I can...you give me purpose.¨ He let the drugs into his body and mind in order to prevent himself from experiencing any emotions and the army gave him a reason to wake up in the morning and it made him feel like he was a part of something.

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"Somebody that I used to Know" by Gotye
"Somebody that I used to Know" reminds me of Ishmael Beah. When he first started out in the book all he cared about was trying to find his family and protect them. It also would hurt him to see dead people in places. Now he does not care who he kills and it does not phase him at all. The song says, "But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know". It is like Ishmael just cut his old self off by fighting, smoking marijuana, and smoking brown powder.

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"Redemption Song" by Bob Marley

"Redemption Song" by Bob Marley has a line that reads "emancipate yourselves from mental slavery". Throughout chapters 16 and 17, Beah and his friends struggle with an immense amount of mental issues. However, since the beginning of ALWG, music has offered an escape in harsh times for Beah, just as Bob Marley explains in the verses "All I ever had / redemption songs / these songs of freedom".

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¨Here¨ by Alessia Cara

In the song she talks about how she does not want to be at a party that her friends brought her to. This relates to the the memoir because Ishmael and his friends does not want to be at the Benin home in Freetown where the UNICEF had brought them.

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"Wanted Dead or Alive" -Bon Jovi

I picked this song because I feel like it best portrays Ishmael's situation. He is wanted dead or alive by the rebels. And the rebels are wanted dead or alive by the soldiers like Ishmael.

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"Fight Song" by Rachel Platten

I chose this song because it discusses overcoming obstacles and always believing yourself. Ishmael and his friends have to face unimaginable scenarios and if they hadn't believed in themselves, they would not have been able to make it.

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"Rise Up" by Andra Day
Andra Day's song relates to Ishmael because he was young when the war started, and he had to give up his childhood and rise up and do grown up things. Even after he was taken out of the war, he wanted to go back and do it again.

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"Never Give Up" by Sia

I picked this song because Sia explains the difficulty of her life and how she reflects on the struggles of her life. Like the boys in the camp after weeks of being away from the army they began to reflect on their past and recognize all that they have been through. The song also shows how the workers for the camp never gave up on the boys and would continue to try to help them despite how they were treated.

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"Rise" by Katy Perry

Katy's song establishes a significant connection relating to Beah's inner power and true intentions.  The lyrics say, "I won't just conform, no matter how you shake my core," and "Just fight it, just fight it, and be transformed." She reveals that struggles and fearful events have unleashed the fire in her, giving her the everlasting strength to fight against what troubles her, even if it means life or death.  Taking action in the war allowed Beah to discover what he was capable of.  He doesn't let the bullet wounds in his legs and feet or his painful symptoms end his motivation to defeat his bitter enemies, who took the lives from the ones he loved.  It is very appalling of what fierce emotions can turn someone into.

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"Sober" by P!nk

I picked this song because while Ishmael was in the rehabilitation center he had to say sober. Before he and the other boys got to the rehabilitation center they were constantly using drugs and they began to rely on it. Since Ishmael and the boys have been using drugs for more than a year constantly they don't remember what it is like to be off the drugs. In the song it says "looking for myself sober" and this relates to the boys they are lost without the drugs and they try to find things to do that does not include drugs. Such as fighting each other, playing soccer, or going to the city.

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"Dark Side" by Kelly Clarkson

This song, even though it was originally written as a love song, describes Ishmael extremely well during these chapters. The first verse is, "There's a place that I know. It's not pretty there and few have ever gone. If I show it to you now, will it make you run away? Or will you stay, even if it hurts? Even if I try to push you out will you return? And remind me who I really am? Please remind me for who I really am." This perfectly describes during that point in his life. He's been through war that has changed him for the absolute worst and he doesn't want to any of the staff about because he knows they will never understand what he's been through. When he finally did tell Esther and she didn't treat him any different than she had, it was obvious that he wanted to be back to the way he was. Like he was before the war, when he acted like a kid instead of a grown up. He wanted that child-like innocence and wonder back.

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"Freedom" By Beyonce

Beyonce's song has intensely evoked emotions and dedication to a fight for freedom and protection. A specific line in the song "Freedom! Freedom! I can't move." (as well as the entire song), applies unequivocally to Ishmael's situation of being sucked into war and an environment of complete terror where there ultimately seems as if there is no way out. The rest of the song pushes for a fight, which I believe will always be a part of Beah's life (an internal fight) as he will always have a genuine part of him.

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"Win" by Brian McKnight

I picked this song because in the song it says, "I'll never give up, Never give in, Never let a ray of doubt slip in, And if I fall
I'll never fail
I'll just get up and try again." and Ishmael was shot in the leg three times but kept on fighting.

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"Changes" by TuPac Shakur
I saw a connection between this song and Chapters 16 and 17 of A Long Way Gone because scenarios and events that occur in modern society occur is being expressed in the song and a specific lyric that stuck out was,"I'd love to go back to when we played as kids, but things changed..." because Ishmael had an incident where he tried to remember something from his childhood to stop all of his pain, but because of the changes such as participation in the war, he has changed and

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I have two songs; ¨Death and Taxes¨ by Daniel Caesar  and ¨Casket pretty¨ by Noname.
I choose these two songs because they are explain both telling similar stories but in different ways. In death and taxes, daniel tells how he can feel the pain of others and how he hopes that his sins are forgiven, yet he knows that death will come. in my mind i saw this relating to how beah was in the beginning of the book, he was fighting for his life yet he always had the fear of death in his mind. He was always reminded that death would always come and haunt him. in casket pretty noname gives the background of those in neighborhoods that have had their voice taken away by police , and how have yet to have justice. i relate this song back to the memoir because just like in the song those who are supposed to protect and in fact causing more death and tears to the innocent. also in casket pretty the song gives off a tone that the singer is tired of seeing death all around them, tired of having to explain the stories of those who have passed, and has a somewhat numb feeling to death now. beah states in his book multiple times how the sight or thought of death is always around him to the point that it consumed him and he becomes numb to it, he even craved it. both of these songs tell the same story of death like in the book and all three stories give off feelings at some point that though death is bad its the only thing that will forever last and be there to comfort.

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"It's Time" by Imagine Dragons
"It's time to build from the bottom of the pit right to the top." This relates to the story because it's when they start to go from running and hiding to killing and attacking. "The Rebels are responsible for everything that has happened to you." The boys start to realize what they have to do to save their country. They have to build up their anger and stop being scared. In the song, it talks about rising from the bottom to the top and conquering everything in their path.

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¨Alive¨ by Sia
I chose this song because in the song Sia says ¨I had a one-way ticket to a place where all the demons go. Where the wind don't change. And nothing in the ground can ever grow. No hope, just lies. And you're taught to cry into your pillow. But I survived¨ I feel like Ishmael can relate to this. Ishmael was forced into the army at a very young age, he had no choice at all. He was lied to and was told that he was killing for the good side. Not only did they have to kill but they were taught to not show emotions so they had to wait till they were alone to mourn. Although he was put through so much pain he survived, no matter the circumstances.

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"The Climb" by Hannah Montana.

I believe this song relates to A Long Way Gone because although Ishmael experiences many hardships throughout his life, he never stops fighting. Hannah Montana sings "The struggles I'm facing, The chances I'm taking Sometimes might knock me down but No I'm not breaking." This is similar to the story because every day that he survives is a day that he is closer to freedom, and he doesn't give up.

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"Saint Bernard" By: A. Lincoln

I picked this song because I feel like it matches Ishmael's mind set and feelings after the war. There is a part in the song that states "Saint Calvin told me not to worry about you, 'He's got his own things to deal with.'" reminds me of how the Corporal manipulates Ishmael and the others into thinking the way he thinks. Another verse states "And I'm in Ohio, satanic and chained up and until the end, that's how it'll be." I feel like this verse relates to how Ishmael recalls his experiences in the army and how those experiences will run through his head until the day he dies.

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“Insecure” by Brent Faiyaz
I chose this song because he quotes “You can’t know what I’ve done, You can’t where I’m from. Your lips can’t lie but your eyes can hide, your too young.” being a young boy, Ishmael grew up in a terrible environment full of war and death of friends, loved ones, tribes, etc... Ishmael Beah is a kid who has become a soldier for the wrong side of justice and uses drugs to numb the pain. He has done things that are irreversible and regretful in his youth. Therefore I feel like in the future he would carry a burden from his past that he may think no one would understand and (can’t know what I’ve done/from) like from the beginning of the book where he tells his American friends his past and they laugh.

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"Incapable" by Keyshia Cole
In this song the artist (Keyshia Cole) talks about how she has struggled in her past, but overcame her struggles. This book relates to this song because Ishmael has struggled for what seems like all eternity, but he struggled in a way that no human being should ever have been through. He was capable to find food, resources and neighbors who did not even have to ask to help, but it was out of a kind heart that they did what they felt was right, after they assaulted and some interrogation happened. Through it all, they continue to struggle but not in a way they think that some have but in a way that one should never have to experience.

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Civil War by Guns n' Roses

I chose this song because in the song it talks about an actual civil war, and it explains the realness of the fighting. A line from the song is ¨look at your young men dying, the way they've always done before¨ and this is significant because war has become such a norm for these boys. ¨The way they've always done before¨ is repeated numerous times throughout this song. They see hundreds of dead young men and they brush it off like it is nothing.

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"The A Team" by Ed Sheeran

I chose this song because I feel like it describes some of the struggles that Beah is going through in chapters 16-17. He is having a really hard time with returning to a normal civilian life and experiencing withdrawals from not constantly taking drugs. The lyrics of the song say, "...Burnt lungs, sour taste....Tried to swim and stay afloat...weary eyed, dry throat...Slowly sinking, wasting Crumbling like pastries And they scream, The worse things in life come free to us..." Ed Sheeran wrote this song about a girl who was struggling with drug addiction and I feel like it accurately explains some of the withdrawals that Beah is experiencing.

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"Hurt" By: Johnny Cash
I chose this song because I feel it most resembles how Ishmael Beah feels as he is trying to adapt to being an ordinary citizen. For example, in the song, the singer says, "What have I become." This is similar to a statement that Ishmael says in Chapter 17. He is trying to sleep but cannot. He states, "I couldn't face the nightmares I knew would come." The nightmares he has are manifestations of his past and his experiences as a soldier. He tries to remember his childhood, but can only remember slitting the throat of a rebel prisoner. Both the singer, Johnny Cash and Ishmael Beah are in disbelief to what they have become as they both regret their past actions.

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"When We Ride on our Enemies" by Tupac Shakur ft. Biggie Smalls
I chose this song because the lyrics not only talk about cocaine and marijuana, but it also talks about how they went from loving to killing just like that. It shows how you can go from a harmless boy, to a killing machine with no emotion other than anger. -- Come take a journey through my mind's eye you crossed the game, don't explain, boy time to die, say goodbye. Watch my eyes when I pull the trigger, so right before you die you bow before a bigga man, now dry yo eyes -- He's basically gone numb to what's going on and he's doing what he gotta do to stay on top and keep his life, not caring of the consequences because he thinks they deserve it.

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"Day One" by Matthew West

I chose this song because I feel like the lyrics demonstrate what Ishmael feels throughout the book, especially during his rehabilitation.  To further explain, the lyrics state, "Well, I wish I had a short term memory - Wish the only things my eyes could see - Was the future burning bright right in front of me - But I can't stop looking back... It's Day One of the rest of my life... Starting over, I'm starting over".  When Ishmael tries to recover from being a soldier, he struggles to let go of the past, and he doesn't know how to begin a new life.  After a while in rehabilitation, Ishmael learns that he can start a new life, and can escape his memories of the war. To connect with the song, Ishmael states that, "... now that we had time to think, the fastened mantle of our war memories slowly began to open." He states about his memories coming back to haunt him, but with the help of UNICEF and his rehabilitation, he is able to start over.

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"Demons" By: Imagine Dragons (Michael Sprenger)

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"Demons" By: Imagine Dragons (Michael Sprenger)

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I chose this song because I think it truly embodies Ishmael Beah's thoughts. In the song the bands lead singer says, "Don't get to close, It's dark inside, It's where my demons hide, It's where my demons hide." I believe this relates to Ishmael's thought processes because at first, and I think instinctively, he does not want to kill people, it's just not human nature. His enemy's come close and his loved ones, and they are all affected by his brainwashed actions.

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"Happiness" by Needtobreathe

I choose this song because its lyrics have deeper meanings and explains how true happiness comes from forgiveness. In these last few chapters, Beah describes how he feels as if he cannot let himself be happy. He cannot laugh without sadness overwhelming him. Ishmael is experiencing these feelings because has not forgiven himself. Once he believes the statement of, "It is not your fault" in his heart is when he will find happiness again.

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"Rehab" By: Amy Winehouse

In this song she talks about how she does not believe in rehab and getting off drugs. Her addictions made her think and feel one way when in reality they were hurting her. The connection is that Ishmael abused drugs because he believed they were helping him fight and be better, when they only caused more problems in the end.

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"Fight Song" By: Rachel Platten

I chose this song because Rachel talks about fighting against all of the bad things in life. One of the lines in the song states "Losing friends and I'm chasing sleep." Ishmael is losing some of his closest friends to the war and he can not sleep because he keeps thinking about them and all the horrible things that he has done to other people.

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Starin’ Through My Rear View by Tuapc  Shakur

I choose this song because Tupac talks about the struggle of his life which in the song sounds a lot like Ishmael Beah's. In the sense that his living conditions as a child force him to grow up faster than he had to.