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Message |
    
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6299
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 4:42 pm: | 
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I posted this in Soapbox but think it might do better here. Got this thought from the Dear Mr. President thread here on the A&E channel of MOL.
Since 1980 what are the best political songs you have heard?
My short list in no particular order would include
1) Born in the USA---Springsteen 1984 (Reagan's complete misunderstanding of the song makes the irony all the more brilliant...oh how I miss the days of the good old GOP)
2) Tramp The Dirt Down-- Elvis Costello
3) Let it Ring -- Amy Ray
4) Will the Wolf Survive-- Los Lobos
5) Once in a Lifetime--Talking Heads--just squeaking in cause I think that album came out in 1980.
I will have more later, I am sure.
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ML
Supporter
Username: Ml1
Post Number: 2999
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 5:05 pm: |
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Mosh by Eminem. |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1800
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 5:43 pm: |
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How about "Ain't gonna play Sun City" ? Steve Van Zandt I think.
Loud and powerful.
While I like folk, I really like the big "We've had ENOUGH" roaring protest songs.
Another good one,from 2004 or 5 is Prince's "Dear Mr. Man" - justifiably angry, he doesn't single out only the president. It's the whole culture of neglecting the poor and lying to the people that everything is going to turn out right - just don't look behind the curtain and complain.
Everytime I see the photos of hurricane Katrina I hear it playing in the background.
Worth a download - I promise. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6300
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 5:58 pm: |
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You are right Lydia. Thanks for the tip. It is a force of a song. |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1802
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 6:14 pm: |
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Duncan,
Yay!
At the end where Prince shouts, "We're tired of your..." Effective that he doesn't have to say the word, and then comes down to "tired, tired, tired..."
Prince has channeled his inner Marvin Gaye and I hope he'll give us more.
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Joe R.
Citizen
Username: Ragnatela
Post Number: 412
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 9:31 pm: |
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Duncan.. sadly it's not only Reagan who misunderstood it. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6302
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 10:15 pm: |
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Amen Joe |
Nohero
Supporter
Username: Nohero
Post Number: 5358
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 11:08 pm: |
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Re: "Born in the USA" - I always loved George Will's completely clueless take on it, back then. As recounted in Born in the U.S.A.: Bruce Springsteen and the American Tradition by Jim Cullen -
Quote:September 19, 1984, was a typical day on the campaign trail for Ronald Reagan. The president spent the morning in the Democratic stronghold of Waterbury, Connecticut. There, as elsewhere, he read prepared remarks, but added some local color--in this case, invoking the spirit of John F. Kennedy, who had visited Waterbury in 1960. … The president then proceeded to the affluent suburban town of Hammonton, New Jersey, in the southern part of the state. There, he praised Italian-American voters. "You are what America is all about," he told them. "You didn't come here seeking streets paved with gold. You didn't come here asking for welfare or special treatment." And as in Waterbury, Reagan also cited a local favorite. "America's future rests in a thousand dreams inside our hearts. It rests in the message of hope so many young people admire: New Jersey's own Bruce Springsteen. And helping you make those dreams come true is what this job of mine is all about."
Actually, the Reagan camp had hoped to have Springsteen by the President's side in Hammonton. Though attempts to recruit rock stars Billy Joel and John Cougar Mellencamp failed, Michael Jackson had recently appeared with Reagan at the White House in an anti-drunk-driving campaign. And six days earlier, after attending a Springsteen concert, conservative columnist George Will had written a glowing review that echoed dominant Republican campaign themes. "I have not got a clue about Springsteen's politics, if any," Will wrote, "but flags get waved at his concerts while he sings songs about hard times. He is no whiner, and the recitation of closed factories and other problems always seems punctuated by a grand, cheerful, affirmation: 'Born in the U.S.A.!'"
Another artist with political songs is Steve Earle. Among his songs (anti-war, anti-capital punishment, the works) is one where he pokes fun at all the old liberals for slacking off -Yeah, take a look in the mirror now tell me what you see
Another satisfied customer in the front of the line for the American dream
I remember when we was both out on the boulevard
Talkin' revolution and singin' the blues
Nowadays it's letters to the editor
and cheatin' on our taxes
Is the best that we can do Amerika v. 6.0 (The Best We Can Do) |
thegoodsgt
Citizen
Username: Thegoodsgt
Post Number: 963
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 7:52 am: |
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For the country music fans, you have:
Not Ready To Make Nice, Dixie Chicks (awesome song!)
Politically Uncorrect, Gretchen Wilson
American Soldier, Toby Keith
Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American), Toby Keith
The Bumper of My S.U.V., Chely Wright
Someone Is Me, Kenny Rogers
Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning), Alan Jackson
Those Less Fortunate Than I, Darryl Worley
POW 369, Darryl Worley
Have You Forgotten, Darryl Worley |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6304
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 8:23 am: |
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Thanks Sarge...that is a musical segment I wouldn't have covered. 
Allison Brown is about as country as I get. Lucinda Williams sometimes. |
thegoodsgt
Citizen
Username: Thegoodsgt
Post Number: 964
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 8:36 am: |
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If you like Allison Brown, check out Rhonda Vincent's new album, "All American Bluegrass Girl." |
Ukealalio
Citizen
Username: Ukealalio
Post Number: 2558
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 5, 2006 - 12:01 am: |
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EVERYTHING on the new Hammell on Trial record, Songs for Parents Who Enjoy Drugs (Don't let the title fool ya). |
Project 37
Citizen
Username: Project37
Post Number: 68
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Friday, May 5, 2006 - 10:25 am: |
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Two from Sting - I was in elementary school/junior high when these came out, and I don't know if I'd otherwise have been exposed to these ideas at that time:
Russians - using the Profokiev riff made the lyrics even more haunting
They Dance Alone - made an effort to call attention to problems outside of the US; the song itself has a beautiful mood shift toward the end
---
*Love* the Prince track, although I always heard the end line as "I wanna end this thing with a coupla words: 'We tired of y'all.'"
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Buzzsaw
Citizen
Username: Buzzsaw
Post Number: 4655
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 5, 2006 - 11:15 am: |
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xtc - dear god |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1881
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 5, 2006 - 2:38 pm: |
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Free Nelson Mandela - The Specials (and I like their version of Dylan's - Maggies Farm). |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6316
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 5, 2006 - 3:18 pm: |
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Hugh Masekela---Bring Back Nelson Mandela
and Soweto Blues. |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1814
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 5, 2006 - 6:32 pm: |
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Project 37 -
It is we're tired of ya'll - I just looked it up - you've saved me from warbling yet another song with all the wrong words.
I thought it was "Ticket to Rye" for years.
Anyhow, back on topic.
Sublime's take on the LA Riots - "April 26, 1992" is a protest song that I'd include - what I love about it isn't the sentiment so much as the time capsule aspect of pissed of very young people who don't see any in-between yet.
Too bad things ended so soon for them. |
ML
Supporter
Username: Ml1
Post Number: 3007
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 5, 2006 - 6:35 pm: |
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American Idiot by Green Day |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 371
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, May 6, 2006 - 10:19 am: |
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Lots of great stuff by Public Enemy. |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 372
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, May 6, 2006 - 10:23 am: |
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Califoria Uber Alles remake by the Disposable Heroes of Hiphopracy
Kinda makes even more sense today with Arnold in there... |
Aok
Citizen
Username: Aok
Post Number: 238
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, May 6, 2006 - 7:33 pm: |
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Why start in 1980 -- what about the 60"s? Alice's restaurant anybody.......... |
zen
Citizen
Username: Zen
Post Number: 50
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 6, 2006 - 9:33 pm: |
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"Black Rain" on Ben Harper's new Album - Both sides of the Gun |
Maplewoody
Citizen
Username: Maplewoody
Post Number: 1177
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 7, 2006 - 9:27 am: |
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Pet Shop Boys - I'm With Stupid
The single “I’m With Stupid” was inspired by the relationship between Tony Blair and George Bush. Neil Tennant says; “The single is a love song about how the rest of the world can’t understand why you’re going out with someone. It’s also a satire about the relationship between Blair and Bush from Blair’s point of view.”
The single includes the lines:
“No one understands me
Where I'm coming from
Why would I be with someone
who's obviously so dumb?
The next verse continues:
“Before we ever met
I thought like everybody did
You were just a moron
A billion-dollar kid
You flew up all the way
Like a hawk chasing a dove
I never thought that I would be
A sacrifice in love”
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Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6323
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 7, 2006 - 9:32 am: |
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i chose to start in the 80's because including the 60's would have made it wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy to easy to do. That was such a fertile time of protest that everyone wrote songs like that. I just thought it would be more interesting to do more contemporary stuff. Otherwise 4 Dead in Ohio, Signs, Give Peace a Chance etc etc etc.
This is just a new generation of protest material. Sometimes by some of the same artists that wrote back in the sixties.
The Who Won't Get Fooled Again------Athena comes to mind
I am sure there are more, but right now there is too much blood in my caffeine system. |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1821
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 7, 2006 - 6:45 pm: |
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The '60's protest songs (sorry if this annoys anyone) were my parent's songs. My Mom played "Alice's restuarant" on Thanksgiving morning every year when I was a tot - the song is a nostalgia piece for me.
My parents were real hippies, my father carried a man-purse ("it's a bag!")
Not. It was a purse. A purse with fringe and a braided strap.
And we drove a VW micro-bus and picked up hitch-hikers. Brrrr...it's all coming back to me.
Today kids dress up as hippies for Halloween - my kids get a kick out of the old pictures of Grampy-the-hippie.
Anyhow, back to the topic - how about "Cash in your Face" by Stevie Wonder? Not as relevant today as it was when it came out, and that's a good thing.
Do songs make the motion or do they witness the times?
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breal
Citizen
Username: Breal
Post Number: 882
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 9:48 am: |
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"Over Your Head" by NRBQ. Big Al's guitar solo is incendiary. |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4871
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 10:00 am: |
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Neil Young, Rocking in the Free World |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 5565
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 10:03 am: |
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most anything by The Clash...and I will include the London Calling album as an '80's selection because it was released in mid December 1979, so it was in the '80's where most of us became familiar with it. The 80s had a bunch of very political music, much of it talking about war and nuclear arms and much of it coming from the punk and new wave movement...probably as a response to the Reagan and Thatcher Administrations and the almost quaint seeming today news items about the end of the Cold War and the neutron bomb.
Also, Generals and Majors...XTC; Seconds...U2; Deja Vu All Over Again...John Fogerty; Dont Give Up...Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush; Red Rain...Peter Gabriel; Biko...Peter Gabriel; Tennessee...Arrested Development; The Earth Dies Screaming...UB40; Sign O' The Times...Prince
And if you allow me to dip into the '70's...Political Science by Randy Newman still has some legs to it...
No one likes us-I don't know why
We may not be perfect, but heaven knows we try
But all around, even our old friends put us down
Let's drop the big one and see what happens
We give them money-but are they grateful?
No, they're spiteful and they're hateful
They don't respect us-so let's surprise them
We'll drop the big one and pulverize them
Asia's crowded and Europe's too old
Africa is far too hot
And Canada's too cold
And South America stole our name
Let's drop the big one
There'll be no one left to blame us
We'll save Australia
Don't wanna hurt no kangaroo
We'll build an All American amusement park there
They got surfin', too
Boom goes London and boom Paris
More room for you and more room for me
And every city the whole world round
Will just be another American town
Oh, how peaceful it will be
We'll set everybody free
You'll wear a Japanese kimono
And there'll be Italian shoes for me
They all hate us anyhow
So let's drop the big one now
Let's drop the big one now
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Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1893
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 10:55 am: |
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Can someone explain to me what happened to Randy Newman. I'm not saying I was EVER a fan but c'mon, I just can't stomach all that Pixar garbage he makes now. It's dreadful. He's dreadful. |
Joe R.
Citizen
Username: Ragnatela
Post Number: 422
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 10:19 pm: |
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U-2 anything. |
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