What -- you mean she DIDN'T actually buy a copy of that Floor Models album?
Heh.
In any case, this leads us to the weekend's business. To wit:
...and your favorite (or least favorite) explicitly-or-implicitly politically themed post-Elvis pop/rock/soul/country/hip-hop song/record is...???
Yeah, yeah -- I know, I've posted something similar in years gone by (in 2015, actually) but I think that given the news of the last couple of weeks, you'll probably agree with me that it's newly pertinent.
In any event, no arbitrary rules; obviously there are going to be lotsa protest tunes getting the nod, but there are also scads of songs that are political in nature without being specifically about real individuals or actual events.
Oh, and in case you're wondering, here's MY all-time fave.
I mean, apart from just being a great piece of work on every musical level, that was also a Top 10 hit blasting out of radios everywhere within a couple of weeks of the outrage that inspired it.
Say what you will about CSNY, but I can't think of any artists in pop history who ever pulled off something similarly amazing.
So -- what would YOUR choices be?
And have a great weekend, everybody!!!
43 comments:
Given current conditions, Elvis Costello and the Attractions: Night Rally, though for pure pop goodieness, Oliver's Army.
Tom Waits Road To Peace still relevant.
Alice Cooper Elected
Give Peace a Chance - Plastic Ono Band
Even as a young teen, I could hear the wistful sadness behind the bravado.
Society's Child by Janis Ian
rs
Ian Hunter "When I'm President"
as mentioned in yesterday's clipping from yesteryear's papers -
Monster, by Steppenwolf
illustrated video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk3sURDS4IA
I used to think of myself as a citizen, and among other things gave generously to a candidate for the presidential nomination of a particular party in 2016 and 2020, in the hope that things might be made better through the political process
now my view is that the only course that makes sense for me is to - as Voltaire metaphorically put it in Candide - to "cultivate my own garden"
stuff will happen, and more stuff will happen - and techno-industrial civilization is heading for a brick wall at full speed - again, speaking metaphorically
George Carlin said it best - enjoy what you got, it's not gonna get better
great music of many kinds, delicious food, art and literature and the marvels of the natural world and scientific and technological achievements, amazing athletic and artistic feats, friendship and love - dig it - and recognize the universal applicability of George Harrison's "all things must pass"
Ohio is going to be tough to beat but I'll throw out Fortunate Son and Revolution.
Ooh -- I'd forgotten the Ian Hunter. Love that!!!
Love all these:
"What's so Funny 'bout Peace, Love and Understanding?" -- any version
"Sunday, Bloody Sunday" - U2
"Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die Rag" - Country Joe and the Fish
"Give the People What They Want" - Kinks
"Won't Get Fooled Again" - Who
Too many Dylan songs to mention.
HATE this:
"I am Woman" - Helen Reddy
Human Condition - The Broadcasters
Richard Nixon's Last Halloween - The Weasels
Captain Al
Shipbuilding - Elvis Costello (h/t to the Robert Wyatt cover)
Ball of Confusion - The Temptations
Whats going on - Marvin Gaye
Taxman - The Beatles
Bring the Lucie (Freda People) - John Lennon (h/t to the recent Richard Ashcroft cover)
I can’t believe I forgot the Weasels.😎
Cap In Hand
A Land Fit For Zeros
SORRY
The Long Haul
all by The Proclaimers
London calling. The clash
A town called malice. The jam
1984 - Spirit
WORST: Jackson Browne - I am a Patriot
The repetition in the lyrics drives me nuts!
Worst. "Ballad Of The Green Berets."
Okie dokie - here goes
Edwin Starr - War
Eric Burden - Sky Pilot
Al Stewart - Somewhere in England 1915
Tom Waits. - Hell Broke Luce
Barry McGuire - Eve of Destruction
rob
Mike Curb Congregation: Nixon Now! More Than Ever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkJGW6WE5ig
I've always hated Eve of Destruction
Pete --
I always hated Eve of Destruction too.
And then I heard THIS remake. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq5wo7jep04
So I guess you gentlemen hate this as well
Generals gathered in their masses
Just like Witches at Black Masses
rob. ;-)
I'd forgotten the Red Rockers version of Eve of Destruction.
But if you really hate the song, try the Dickies:
https://youtu.be/GLuCA2ZWJh8?si=GgYMWkIFpL9ggp_v
I guess *somebody* has to mention "The Funky Western Civilization" by Mr. K!
“Ohio”?? I can’t stand being preached at - growing up as a natural-born atheist in the Bible Belt will do that to you - and IMO that song is as preachy as it gets (which is why I despise Eve of Destruction in any form). But if you need a CSN(Y) song, I’d pick the only two David Crosby songs I like: Long Time Gone and Almost Cut My Hair; both powerful, thoughtful, not preachy, and they rock.
Otherwise, you can’t ever go wrong with the brilliance that is Won’t Get Fooled Again, whether it’s the version on Who’s Next with its incredible intelligence, power, dynamics, and that hypnotic synth-processed organ track leading into Moon’s drum fill for the ages and the greatest scream in rock history, or the Pete Townshend and John Williams acoustic duet on the Secret Policeman’s Ball soundtrack, where the listener can appreciate the naked passion of this extraordinary song. I have been fortunate enough to hear PT perform a small theater solo acoustic show, and he played this one at the end of the night…one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments.
A few others…
Tonio K.’s Say Goodbye from his sophomore disc Amerika
Fairport Convention, Sloth
The Who again, with Another Tricky Day off of Face Dances; the breakdown on this one is fabulous, and Kenney Jones is more than adequate bashing the pagan skins
Sam Cooke, Meet Me at Mary’s Place
The Beatles, Revolution 1 (off the White Album)
Nick Lowe’s What’s So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding, I prefer the Brinsley Schwarz version to the EC version
Tramp the Dirt Down - Elvis Costello
Generals and Majors - XTC
Flag Day - The Housemartins
Exhuming McCarthy - REM
For the nature of the day performed, the setting of his set and the overall aim of the long weekend, one of my favorites is Richie Havens' "Freedom" at Woodstock, August 15, 1969.
paulinca
"Whitey on the Moon" by Gil Scott-Heron
"Bring The Boys Home" - Freda Payne
"Vietnam" - Jimmy Cliff
"God Save The Queen" - Sex Pistols
Six o' my favorite songs fall into your ask:
What's Going On and Mercy Mercy Me by Marvin Gaye
Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke
Masters Of War by Dylan
Shut Out The Light by Springsteen
Ramble Tamble by CCR
Others that I really really like:
War Pigs by Sabbath
Trump's Pilot by Father John Misty
The Have Nots by X
2+2 by Bob Seger System
London Calling and Straight To Hell by the Clash
Valley Of Hate by Just Luv
Mideast Vacation by Neil Young
Games Without Frontiers by Peter Gabriel
For What It's Worth by Buffalo Springfield
Bomb Shelter Pt 2 by Halo Benders
Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner by Warren Zevon
King Of The Hill by Minutemen
C in California
I'd like to add "Taxman" by The Beatles to the great list here. Phil Cheese.
WURST OF THE WURST MIT UMLAUT
The Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley – C Company featuring Terry Nelson (remember My Lai?) (Great times, right?)
WURST MIT UMLAUT
The Universal Coward – Jan & Dean (so bad it’s kinda good)
The Ballad of the Yellow Beret – Beach Bums (Bob Seger)
MAINSTREAM WURST
Born in the USA – The Butt
Imagine – Saint John
Give Ireland Back to the Irish – Macca
7 O’Clock News-Silent Night – Simon & Garfunkel
Peace In L.A. – Tom Petty
Sweet Neo Con – Rolling Stones (I hate neo con war mongers but this song sucks)
I Am a Patriot – Steve Van Zandt (and most of his other political explorations)
People Let’s Stop the War – Grand Funk Railroad
One Guitar – Willie Nile
Mid to Late Eighties Jackson Browne – no sense of humor – I liked his Redneck Friend when it was 11 on a scale of 10. When he was walking slow down the avenue in my old neighborhood. When he was Poor, Poor Pitiful Me. When these young girls just wouldn’t let him be. When he had lightning in his pocket and thunder in his shoes. When we toyed with his affection and then laughed at his erection. When he lightened up when he still could. When he opened up and climbed on in. When he gave it to me under the falling sky. And took it easy. And he loved the times I'd come.
VR
apologies in advance
BEST
Gimme Shelter – Rolling Stones
My Generation – The Who
The Ostrich - Steppenwolf
Alice’s Restaurant Massacree – Arlo Guthrie
American Woman – Guess Who
Machine Gun – Jimi Hendrix/Band of Gypsys
Brown Shoes Don’t Make It – Zappa/Mothers of Invention
Say It Loud I’m Black and I’m Proud – James Brown
Something in the Air – Thunderclap Newman
For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield (the key is that it’s not self-righteous at all. Unlike CSNY’s later interpretation)
Shades of Gray – Monkees
Gates of Delirium - Yes
Paradise – John Prine
Ship of Fools – Grateful Dead
You Don’t Own Me – Lesley Gore
Children of the Grave – Black Sabbath
I Unseen – The Misunderstood
Changes – Moby Grape
Jesus Thinks You’re a Jerk - Zappa
The Southern Thing – Drive-by Truckers
Morning Dew – Bonnie Dobson; Grateful Dead, Jeff Beck Group, Tim Rose, Lulu
Jackson-Kent Blues – Steve Miller Band
I’d Love To Change the World – Ten Years After
Penny Evans – Steve Goodman
No Man Can Find the War – Tim Budkley
Rhymin’ Man - Zappa
What About Me? - Quicksilver
We Can Be Together – Jefferson Airplane
Revolution – Mother Earth (from the soundtrack of Revolution)
Hungry Freaks Daddy – Mothers of Invention
A Change Is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke’s has already been picked. So, I’ll go with the Three Dog Night version, even though it skips a verse. Critics revile this version but, dare I say it, I like this arrangement better than Sam’s. Cory Wells was a damn fine white soul singer. TDN was a crack band.
Sam Stone - John Prine
Politician – Cream (sometimes all the politics you need is between your legs)
Dickie’s Such An Asshole – Zappa
Student Demonstration Time – Beach Boys
On the Border - Eagles
David Bowie – 1984/Big Brother
Riot On Sunset Strip - Hypstrz
Southern Man – Neil Young
Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Street Fighting Man – Rolling Stones
Son of Orange County – Zappa/Mothers
Sympathy For the Devil – Rolling Stones
Safe In My Garden – Mamas and the Papas
My Uncle – Flying Burrito Brothers
Straight Ahead – Jimi Hendrix
Daily Nightly - Monkees
Throwing Stones (Ashes, Ashes, All Fall Down) – Grateful Dead
Animals LP - Pink Floyd
More Trouble Everyday – Frank Zappa-Mothers of Invention
Wind-Up – Jethro Tull
The Man with No Soul - Lucinda Williams
It Better End Soon - Chicago
Ain't Wastin' Time No More - Allman Brothers Band
U.S. Blues - Grateful Dead
Chained - Three Dog Night (from Brian Wilson's Favorite TDN LP "Seven Separate Fools")
Black & White - Three Dog Night (hated it when it first came out. Seemed like something the Brady Bunch would do. Don't like it that much now either, but the band does some interesting things. Floyd Sneed was a mother of a drummer and pretty unique. The rest of the players are no slouches either. The interplay is muy groovy. I'd love to isolate the backing track from the vocals and play with the faders on the board. And its got cowbell.)
VR
all errors intact - gotta crash
I forgot Star Spangled Banner - Jimi Hendrix Woodstock version
and the same song by Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir and Vince Welnick
check it out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e67T_kjc64A
VR
VR
I wouldn’t have thought of Safe in My Garden, but that’s a great choice……
Let's not forget - Jefferson Airplane. . .
We Can Be Together
Volunteers
And that offset - Hot Tuna
Uncle Sams Blues
Death Don't Have No Mercy
rob
Hard day on the Planet - London Wainwright III
41 Shots - Bruce
Living in a Ghost Town - The Stones
Vince
Gordon Lightfoot - Black Day In July (about the 1968 Detroit riots)
Fugazi live at the White House
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0gs_FaNOD4
Steve when a column is just "crickets"
remember this one with now 40 replies
Don't know if this is a record but it's up there.
rob
A couple more favorites:
Danny O'Keefe - So Long, Harry Truman
Bob Dylan - Jokerman (edited single version)
Rockin' In the Free World - Neil Young
Mr. You're a Better Man Than I - Yardbirds
People Got to Be Free - Rascals
Get Up, Stand Up - Bob Marley (and a good portion of his catalog)
My City Was Gone - Pretenders
Motor City Is Burning - MC5
The American Ruse - MC5
The Day John Kennedy Died - Lou Reed
Citizenship - Patti Smith Group
Five To One - The Doors
Leaving On a Jet Plane - John Denver, Peter, Paul & Mary
Last Train to Clarksville - Monkees
Where Duty Calls - Patti Smith
What Now America - Lee Michaels
Abraham, Martin & John - Dion
Only a Fool Would Say That - Steely Dan (for John Lennon)
Royal Scam - Steely Dan
Subterranean Homesick Blues - Dylan
Run Through the Jungle - Creedence
2112 - Rush
The Laws Must Change - John Mayall
Draft Morning - Byrds
The Unknown Soldier - The Doors
It's You - The Millennium
Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell
What Have They Done to the Rain - Searchers
Sweet Cherry Wine - Tommy James & the Shondells
Chicago/We Can Change the World - Graham Nash
Military Madness - Graham Nash (just as stupid as the one above)
Save the Country - Laura Nyro (annoying performance. 5th Dimension is slicker but better)
Give a Damn - Spanky & Our Gang (cheez-ola)
I Wanna Grow Up to Be a Poltician - Byrds
Anthem - Rush
VR
How Much is That Doggie in the Window?
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