Politcal Songs

[Matt B]

We all know John Rich released his "Raisin McCain'" and now Hank Jr. has recorded and released to radio "McCain-Palin Tradition," a rewrite of his classic "Family Tradition." Without trying to get political one way or another (save that for the politics thread in the general discussion), are you as tired as I am with any 'political' song like these? Regardless of who they're for, I just don't like them. I would rather hear a smartly written political song than a lazily written one like this.

If you want to hear it, listen to "McCain Tradition" here: http://wm.allaccess.com/allaccess/hankmcca.wma

[Rainbow]

I'm not a big fan of political songs, though I do like Snider's last album. Unless you base yourself as a political artist, music and politics usually don't mix well.

[JR Journey]

I'm not a big fan of political songs, though I do like Snider's last album. Unless you base yourself as a political artist, music and politics usually don't mix well.

I too liked Snider's album - especially the recitation. And if someone bases themselves as a political artist, then the music itself almost always suffers.

[Matt B]

I liked the Snider album too and If it sounds like a contradiction to my first post, it's because while there's a political vibe to it, it's not NEARLY as political as some of Steve Earle's stuff. I find Snider's music to be more of a 'speaking truthfully' as opposed to being a political 'stump song' for one way or another. As an example, I LIKED "Have You Forgotten?" the first few times I heard it and liked Toby's "American Soldier" while not really liking "Angry American." I also liken Snider's music to AJ's "Where Were You" it just speaks to and about common folks. It's also why I like non country artist Michael Franti's music.

[indulgedcountrymusic]

"Not Ready to Make Nice" is my favorite political song

[Chris D]

"Not Ready to Make Nice" is my favorite political song

Ditto. I usually hate political songs, but the Chicks' was an exception, even if I don't agree with their views, I like how they spoke out.

[Stormy]

I'm not as tired of political songs as I am of Hank Jr. becoming an increasingly worse Hank Jr cover band.

I actually think Steve Earle does better when he is writing political songs than love songs. Seriously, if he really loves Allison couldn't he come up with something better for her to do than sparkle and shine. Or at least, something ELSE for her to do by the 200th time he repeats it in the song?

I will say I do feel bad for conservatives because it seems like the only conservatives who get airplay are crap song writers. On the other hand, that's what you get for siding against Emmylou, Rodney and Steve

[Matt B]

Don't forget Radney and a majority of Nashville's songwriting/label community.

[Steve Harvey]

....

[Razor X]

I will say I do feel bad for conservatives because it seems like the only conservatives who get airplay are crap song writers. On the other hand, that's what you get for siding against Emmylou, Rodney and Steve

The only liberals who get airplay are crap singers/songwriters as well. The quality issue is entirely separate from the political one.

[Drew]

Good lord, that is worse than 'Raising McCain'. Can't someone stop artists from destroying their classics like this? It's Candle In The Wind all over again...

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

[indulgedcountrymusic]

You'd think political compaigns would start using these alleged "political songs" for their campaigns, instead of using several songs that get McCain sued

(him getting sued makes for a funny story, on the other hand)

[Drew]

You'd think political compaigns would start using these alleged "political songs" for their campaigns, instead of using several songs that get McCain sued

(him getting sued makes for a funny story, on the other hand)

I don't think he's ever gotten sued, just public disapproval or the threatening of a civil suit.

[Razor X]

I don't think he's ever gotten sued, just public disapproval or the threatening of a civil suit.

Jackson Browne filed a lawsuit. Lots of luck collecting on that, JB.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washing ... rowne.html

[Matt B]

I don't think he's ever gotten sued, just public disapproval or the threatening of a civil suit.

Jackson Browne filed a lawsuit. Lots of luck collecting on that, JB.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washing ... rowne.html

Razor X & Drew, do you like this song or can you guys (committed republicans) see it for what it is, needless pandering (Just like any country leftie who writes drivel like this).

[Drew]

Razor X & Drew, do you like this song or can you guys (committed republicans) see it for what it is, needless pandering (Just like any country leftie who writes drivel like this).

I definitely like it. Obviously it's to be taken for what it is though, an anthem to energize a political group... it's not like it's being released to radio as a single.

[indulgedcountrymusic]

I don't think he's ever gotten sued, just public disapproval or the threatening of a civil suit.

The news stated he was being sued by like 3 or 4 different artists

[JCH]

No, most showed public dismay and requested that the Republicans not use their songs.

For example, the following was sent out by Heart when everybody's favorite maverick (Sarah Palin) used Barracuda as her theme song: "The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission. We have asked the Republican campaign publicly not to use our music. We hope our wishes will be honored."

They told Entertainment Weekly, "The song 'Barracuda' was written in the late '70s as a scathing rant against the soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women. (The 'barracuda' represented the business.) While Heart did not and would not authorize the use of their song at the RNC, there's irony in Republican strategists' choice to make use of it there."

Various expressions of annoyance, but few lawsuits.

[Sam G]

I made it through about a minute of the Hank Jr. song before the nausea set in. Good Lord that's awful. He needs to stick to recording 16 versions of "All My Rowdy Friends" for Monday Night Football every year or just go away for good.

Songs about specific politicians never seem to come out all that well, and I'm referring to both pro- and anti-politician songs. I've heard a few anti-Bush songs, and they've come across as too bitter and mean-spirited to me. The better ones take more veiled shots instead of being an angry Democrat rant. Robbie Fulks' "Countrier Than Thou" and John Prine's "Some Human's Ain't Human" are ones I can think of that are better criticisms. I think Steve Earle gets a little too bitter at times, while Todd Snider walks that line a little better.

Toby Keith's "We'll Put A Boot Up Yer Dam' Foreign Ass" and Daryl Worley's "Have You Forgotten" were two of the worst political songs of recent memory.

[JR Journey]

Toby Keith's "We'll Put A Boot Up Yer Dam' Foreign Ass" and Daryl Worley's "Have You Forgotten" were two of the worst political songs of recent memory.

I agree 100% with that statement. So many political songs seem to have an agenda, and when a writer is following a formula to get a specific message across, the song usually sucks. Sucks real hard.

There are songs that have made political statements without being preachy or damning the other side. Case in point is Mary Chapin Carpenter's 'On With The Song' from The Calling. She makes her stance very clear in the lyrics without really taking digs at either side. Actually, she makes a point to condemn those who takes shots at each other with the line 'when the whole world seems to be upside down, and the shots being taken get cheaper ...'

Listen to it here - and form your own opinion ...

http://www.zshare.net/audio/5014065256c881a5/