‘Good Samaritans’ by Harry Kappen is a strong and vibrant rock song whose message is simple to understand and difficult to ignore. It highlights individuals who offer help when somebody is in need without expecting thanks, notice, or anything else. Rather than concentrating on people who are always seeking recognition, Kappen directs his focus onto those who just do the right thing because they care.
The lyrics are aimed at a world which is more and more focused on appearances, social media, selfies, hashtags, and overblown egos; things like “plastic smiles” and “sculpted skies” contribute to this image, highlighting the difference between a carefully maintained public image and true human kindness. The Good Samaritans mentioned in the song are outside of that world since they are the ones who will never get applause or become known online, even though they are the ones who are ready to take action when it really counts.
The song also shows a obvious influence from David Bowie, since “Good Samaritans” is referred to as a further reference to his work. The theatrical style of rock matches the song’s extravagant subject matter, and Mexican singer Danna Gomez is featured in the choruses. The inclusion of her voice brings an additional aspect to a song which is in the end about people coming together and doing something significant for someone else.
The reason why the song is effective is that the message it presents stays simple. Instead of urging listeners to admire celebrities or those who are chasing fame, it encourages them to pay attention to the more modest acts of kindness that take place around them. Kappen’s belief that such selfless individuals deserve the highest awards provides the song with a powerful concluding idea. Since in today’s culture it can at times appear that being seen is more important than being helpful, “Good Samaritans” serves as a relevant reminder that kindness need not have an audience.
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