I should add that the above song is something of a holiday tradition in these precincts. Originally, I used to post The Strawbs' British hit "Part of the Union," which I always assumed had been designed to piss off Margaret Thatcher, may she rot in hell, but I have since been informed by several genuine Limeys of my acquaintance that in the UK the song is actually read as being ANTI-labor. Go figure. In any case, as a result, Neil is now my go-to guy for songs with a pro-prole bent. At least till I discover a really cool more contemporary song echoing the same sentiments.
I should also say that the above seems especially pertinent given that we are currently living in the kind of country that inspired Woody Guthrie's guitar to kill the kind of people now running it -- and hey, is Donny Demento dead yet? But I lack the energy to go into that at the moment, and I'd rather (and I bet you would too) just enjoy today's lovely weather.
So have a nice one, and regular power pop themed posting resumes on the morrow.
18 comments:
Happy Labor Day to all at Power Pop and to Neil. Btw, Steve, Neil Young, on his current tour, has just started playing a new song called "Big Crime", which is a comment on Trump's recent policies and actions.
He'll never top "Ohio" in the topical protest category. 😎
Yes, over 50 years later, "Ohio" is still very powerful.
It has been echoed by others in the trade that ol' Neil was just as likely to wake up in a puddle of his own vomit as he was to put pen to paper using tired old SDS slogans. But I have not seen the scorecard yet.
Goob, re regarding SDS.
The Resistance found a loophole for me and got me out of the Draft.
I went to school with a guy who transfered in from Kent State.
His eyes had the far away look of shell shock.
I had forgotten till I saw the new documentary, but the guys from Devo were at Kent State when the kids got shot by the Guard. A profound influence on their world view.
I believe Chrissie Hynde was also at Kent State at the time of the shooting.
Jon was also there. You read my comment it was sad
Can't believe I still know his full name all these 54 years later 😢
'70/. left in '71. Yes she was 18 and the there when the Guard fired . We are on the verge of Deja Vu...
Artist Marshall Rogers was there.
Captain Al
Still one of my favorites... NatLamp "Goodbye Pop".
https://medialoper.com/certain-songs-1255-national-lampoon-a-history-of-neil-young-southern-california-brings-me-down/
Hole. E. Shit.
Absolutely fabulous. I believe it's Chris Guest doing the vocals and guitar on that.
Listen, while we're talking about Neil let's not forget "Fortunate Son"...Fogarty - Burdon, Sky Pilot, The Doors, Unknown Soldier and who could forget " Fixin' To Die Rag" by Country Joe, and oh yeah Edwin Starr,War. For those here way you younger than Steve and me it was a time of uncertainty, anxiety and youthfull abandon. Saying this not as a source of pride but a particular abandonment of what we thought we were inheriting
an even better version of a song about the musicians union would be The Kinks "Get Back into Line".
Captain Al
Is "Union Man" pro union? "I pay my dues ahead of time
When the benefits come I'm last in line."
Can I suggest Billy Bragg - "There's Power In a Union"
VR
Neil's new song failed to impress me lyrically or melodically. It's ignorant and divisive. And we could use a whole lot less of both.
I can see that your head
Has been twisted and fed
With worthless foam from the mouth
…………………………………….
You’ve been fooled into thinking
That the finishin’ end is at hand
Yet there’s no one to beat you
No one to defeat you
‘Cept the thoughts of yourself feeling bad
from dylan's "union sundown" - democracy don't rule the world - best get that through your head - this world is ruled by violence - guess that's better left unsaid
Warren Zevon " The Factory"..maybe somebody had that one already
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