Music and Politics analysis

[Sherwood]

So, we all love music here, right? We also love head-fi, and headfiers. With that in mind, who wants to help me write this dumb paper?

I have to create a virtual album of six songs and write what amounts to "liner notes" for this album. Basically, I have some criteria of what makes music political I've designed and I describe those songs on those criteria. So without further ado, here goes.

THE SONGS

1) I'm afraid of americans - David Bowie

2) Imagine - John Lennon

3) Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell

4) No Shelter - rage Against the Machine

5) Born in the USA - The Boss

6) Political Science - Randy Newman

THE CRITERIA

1) song attempts to educate/inform about political issues/candidates
2) Song unites people through a shared bond
3) Song unites people through a shared outrage
4) Song instructs people on how to participate politically.

I know this is a bit of a tall order, but does anyone out there in the head-fi universe have any observations on these songs and/or additions, refinements or comments on my criteria? We're looking at about 20 pages here, so I have plenty of liberty.

Thanks, gents.

EDIT: FWIW, i chose these songs myself. i want to approach this from an anti-americanism/anti-consumerism standpoint. I will, of course, include the full lyrics of every song.

 

[jonnywolfet]

i cant really give any actual material for you to use but its useful to look up background and influences for each of the artists mentioned. Because music and politics are both draw heavily from influences there is a lot of information that you can look into that is separate from just lyrical content and suchlike.
oh, and good luck!

 

[Sherwood]

Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique
And a swinging hot spot
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got
Till its gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

They took all the trees
Put em in a tree museum
And they charged the people
A dollar and a half just to see em
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got
Till its gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

Hey farmer farmer
Put away that d.d.t. now
Give me spots on my apples
But leave me the birds and the bees
Please!
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got
Till its gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

Late last night
I heard the screen door slam
And a big yellow taxi
Took away my old man
Dont it always seem to go
That you dont know what youve got
Till its gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

 

[Sherwood]

Political Science
by Randy Newman

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 Paree
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

 

[catachresis]

Sherwood, I'd tread lightly. There's an established prohibition against political (and religious) discussion and debate on these forums. Ardent enthusiasms and rabid polemics are meant to be confined to the nuances of audiophilia.

But I get your idea. I'm glad you've recognised that the political orientation you're exploring is but one of the many that are espoused implicitly by Headfi's diverse constituents. Again, please tread lightly, or you'll find that this thread is locked.

You might explore some of the rich traditions of American protest music (many of which I find have been omitted by the generation of 'progressive' activists in their early twenties). Most people know something about the many traditional gospel hymns that became anthems of the Civil Rights movement in the 60s ("We Shall Overcome" for instance), but not everyone knows that the Free-Jazz movement was widely understood to be an expression of protest against segregation and a symbol of black nationalism.

Don't neglect to consider the music of the Depression, in which ordinary Americans explored the insecurities of the unregulated free market:

"Soup Song" (Best online source I could find but not complete Link)

1. I'm spending my nights in the flop house.
I'm spending my days on the street.
I'm looking for work but I find none.
I wish I had something to eat.

Refrain: Soup, soup,
They gave me a bowl of soup-soup-soup!
Soup, soup,
They gave me a bowl of soup!

2. I spent twenty years in the factory.
I did everything I was told.
They said I was loyal and faithful.
Now even before I am old -- Refrain

3. I saved 15 bucks with my banker
To buy me a car and a yacht.
I went down to draw out my money,
And this is the answer I got -- Refrain

An illuminating project might be to compare Irving Berlin's famous 1918 anthem "God Bless America" Linkto Woody Guthrie's 1940 response "This Land is Your Land." Link

Guthrie's last stanza to "This Land is Your Land"

As I went walking, I saw a sign there;
And on the sign there, it said, 'NO TRESPASSING.'
But on the other side, it didn't say nothing.
That side was made for you and me.

Of course there's plenty more. Eventually, if you want to consider a more international perspective, you could have a look at Billy Bragg (saw him last summer in Dublin touring with Ian McLagan of The Faces on keyboards - brilliant show).

One of my personal favorites is this neglected pop gem from Husker Du's Warehouse album. I've had daydreams that it would be appropriated by a particular party for an upcoming national election. . . .

"Friend, You've Got to Fall"

I can hear the trees fall in the distance.
I can see your hollowed eyes.
What have you done to yourself in this instance?
I guess it comes as no surprise.

I can see the billboards in the distance
-- The writing is on every wall.
I don't wanna know about your business
-- Sooner or later, friend, you've got to fall.

Every night, it's gotta be adventure.
The way you live your life's a crime.
And if you're guilty, will you serve the sentence?
You're already doing time.

There's nothing wrong with having aspirations.
-- 'Nothing wrong with walking tall.
But if misfortune deals the consequences,
Sooner or later, friend, you've got to fall.

I know the difference,
-- You keep your distance.
I don't wanna know what you've got.
Is it pathetic to be sympathetic?
Maybe you don't wanna get caught
-- Caught up in something,
Something that's real,
That could last for a lifetime.
Nothing like the disease
-- Disease that's in your mind
I know the difference.

I can see your life disintegrating
Into ashes in your hand.
And I know you wouldn't want to tell me
What is wrong 'cause you're 'A Man'.

There's nothing wrong with having aspirations
-- 'Nothing wrong with walking tall.
But if misfortune deals the consequences,
Sooner or later, friend, you've got to fall.

 

[laxx]

There's a song by Cunninlynguists called Dyin' Nation that I've always liked. Here are the lyrics.

[SOS]
I live in a nation that relies on business and crime
And the leaders are politician guys livin’ a lie
Who ******** like everyone else for a nickel and dime
America … just as corrupt as it is online
Using freedom and entertainment just to keep us sedated
But remember what the declaration of independence stated?
All men are equal and that’s the way they’re created?
But when that was written, black and white people were
segregated
And this country still breeds racism, just not as blatant
To call us the land of the free is overstatement
Cause ain’t NOBODY free. We all being watched quietly
National security’s an invasion of privacy
Drug Trafficking, conspiracy, murder and piracy
What America can’t have they take silently
Sometimes violently, open up your eyes and see
Even dirty money is supporting our economy
It’s all backwards like negative split photography
But I guess that’s the way it’s got to be
United we stand on this land and we do all crimes
Facin’ a Dyin’ Nation ?

[Chorus]
‘Facin’ a dyin’ nation. Listen to the retold lies’ (x2)

[Deacon the Villain]
I live in a nation where it ain’t what’s physical that fights us
Now it’s silent strikes from political insiders
A black market government where being criminal is righteous
Ran by bloodlines that were dirty before Isis
The crisis has even spread to spiritual infestations
Confessionals filled with sexual molestations
Professionals so set on capitalization
They don’t notice their children freebasin’ in their million

Dollar basements
Babies having babies in the hood I grew up in
Hands are too small for the guns that they be bustin’
Schools underfunded, graduates retain nothing
On Capitol Hll it’s barely a topic of discussion
Kids like, why should I think about college
When this hood situation is holding me hostage
And even if I fought and bought the knowledge
I’d prolly get shot 41 times by a cop over my wallet
Shiiiiit.. So wherever you are
Don’t inhale the second hand smoke from its victory cigar
Motivate yourself don’t just stand on the side
Facing a dying nation and listening to the new told lies

[Chorus]

[Kno]
Somebody dial 9-1-1
It’s mass confusion, mass contusions
At last we losin’ Uncle Sam to a mass of tumors
And that’s the rumor at least, it’s soon to be seen
If its true that the beast is soon to decease
Catchin’ blood clots in the crude oil
That runs through his veins and up thru his brain
Its tough to maintain
If he was low income he’d already been gone
Insurance paperwork gettin handled by Enron
And scandalous friends call to speak
Even Bill O’Reilly’s wrapped in a hospital bedsheet
With a pointed hat, where the ointment at?
Wax the taxpayers backside for a tax hike
Woulda had a Catholic priest at his bedside
But they were too busy giving these Boy Scouts a leg ride
Temperature stay high but no pain
Cus the presidents Hooked on Phonics and cocaine
Product of old age and Alzheimers disease
Medical bills raised from all types of fees
Looks to the American people to show love
But his Social Security ran out - pull the plug

 

[steviebee]

Big Yellow Taxi? Joni Allen??

Have I missed something?! Joni Mitchell changed her name?

 

[Sherwood]

Thanks to all three of you. This is all very illustrative, especially my dyslexic block against Joni Mitchell.

Hopefully, we'll all be able to confine this discussion to hypothetical and theoretical politics: also known as "the best kind". With that in mind, I humbly request this thread remain open.

Thanks again.

 

[cerbie]

How do any of these fit criteria #4, though?

 

[Sherwood]

None of those songs fit #4 exclusively, but many of them make oblique references to how participation is achieved. I used a different song, found here to illustrate that particular criteria.

 

[MoxMonkey]

resisting tyranical government by propagandhi seems to fit the criteria

 

[cerbie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoxMonkey /img/forum/go_quote.gif resisting tyranical government by propagandhi seems to fit the criteria

Bands are verbs? Anyway, with #4 being a bit tenous, it makes some more sense.

 

[cerbie]

A few other straight-forward songs to look at. It may also help get more people biting by giving a bit more in the way of examples, and what you're looking for (FI, explicate, from your criteria, one or two selections).

On the criteria, 4 is hard to find, and 2 and 3 generally are the same--rarely is meaningful political music not involving an outrage involving, or wishing to engage, many people.

Bowie: is the song complex enough to handle multiple pages of discussion? Our megacorps are invading the world, trying to get everyone to want what our lowest common denominator wants.

Lennon: it might be a good idea to transition from or to this from Big Yellow Taxi or Born In The USA. Both have good down-trodden social merit, where it is pointing to a better vision.

Also, as a very straight-forward one, have you considered using Copperhead Road? It's not so anti-consumerism, but anti-americanism, and fits into a similar mold as Born In The USA.

 

[catachresis]

There are lots of good socially conscious country songs protesting poverty and hypocrisy. Just off the top 'o my knoggin:

Flying Burrito Bros. - "Sin City"
Graham Parsons, Emmylou Harris - "Thousand-dollar Wedding"
Arlo Guthrie - "Alice's Restaurant"
Jean Ritchie (& Var.) - "The L & N Don't Stop Here Anymore"
Dwight Yoakum - "Reading, Writing, Route 23"
Johnny Paycheck - "Take This Job and Shove It"
Timbuk 3 - "The Future's So Bright ('Gotta Wear Shades)"

In terms of broad awareness, Woody Guthrie is where it all started:

"Pretty Boy Floyd"

If you'll gather 'round me, children,
A story I will tell
'Bout Pretty Boy Floyd, an outlaw,
Oklahoma knew him well.

It was in the town of Shawnee,
A Saturday afternoon,
His wife beside him in his wagon
As into town they rode.

There a deputy sheriff approached him
In a manner rather rude,
Vulgar words of anger,
An' his wife she overheard.

Pretty Boy grabbed a log chain,
And the deputy grabbed his gun;
In the fight that followed
He laid that deputy down.

Then he took to the trees and timber
To live a life of shame;
Every crime in Oklahoma
Was added to his name.

But a many a starving farmer
The same old story told
How the outlaw paid their mortgage
And saved their little homes.

Others tell you 'bout a stranger
That come to beg a meal,
Underneath his napkin
Left a thousand dollar bill.

It was in Oklahoma City,
It was on a Christmas Day,
There was a whole car load of groceries
Come with a note to say:

Well, you say that I'm an outlaw,
You say that I'm a thief.
Here's a Christmas dinner
For the families on relief.

Yes, as through this world I've wandered
I've seen lots of funny men;
Some will rob you with a six-gun,
And some with a fountain pen.

And as through your life you travel,
Yes, as through your life you roam,
You won't never see an outlaw
Drive a family from their home.

 

[jinp6301]

you probably checked the older punk songs right? basically born from political protest, you might find some good stuff for your paper