Posted on 05/23/2006 11:11:37 AM PDT by pissant
The world is full of bad songs and horrific singer-songwriters. Just tune in to any radio station, be it country, top 40, "classic rock", or alternative and you are bound to have your ears offended in short order.
But there is NOTHING more irritating than hearing some lunatic, left-winger try to elevate the pop song into some kind of overt, intellectual commentary on the evils of America or the glory of being a hippie. Sure, some artists managed to cut a decent song. I still like the Mommas and the Poppas "California Dreaming", for example. But the whole genre wreaks to high heaven.
The List:
7. We are the World -- Various Artists. An utterly hideous attempt to feed starving Biafrins. If these idiots would have just given the money it took to assemble, to produce, and advertise this turd and donated it to the charity, it would have saved us alot of misery.
6. White Bird -- It's a Beautiful Day. Sappiness, your name is White Bird. Don't even know what the song is about exactly. I turn the station too fast.
5. Sky Pilot -- Eric Burden and the Animals. While I generally liked this band, this song is unlistenable, and unintelligible.
4. What's Goin On -- Marvin Gaye. In my estimation, this was the beginning of the downfall for a talented Motown star. It was apparent that he had no clue of "what's goin on".
3. Big Yellow Taxi -- Joni Mitchell. I liked Joni's early, breezy brand of folk pop. Her album Blue is still likable. The problem is not the tune here, it's the insipid lyrics. Uhg.
2. Eve of Destruction -- Barry McGuire. Complete idiocy. Apparently influenced Algore and John Kerry. Apparently that was a long "eve" he was carterwauling about.
1. Imagine -- John Lennon. This was proof to me that Paul McCartney was the real talent in the Beatles.
Emphasis on the word "attempt."
I left out the part that starts out "Gimme an F..."
They started downhill after Craig joined.
Survivor, e Pluribus Funk, Closer to Home, GFR Live -- good stuff.
I remember that song well. I had the Woodstock album. LOL.
But I heard somewhere that Country Joe is no longer a lefty.
Flyin' into Los Angeleez
Bringin' in a couple a keys
Don't touch my bags if you please
Mr. Customs Man...
I think they still play the tavern circuit. LOL
I remember liking this song when it came out.Not his best work,but good nevertheless.Back then,I was pretty apolitical so didn't consider it in political terms.
4. What's Goin On -- Marvin Gaye. In my estimation, this was the beginning of the downfall for a talented Motown star. It was apparent that he had no clue of "what's goin on".
Musically speaking,it was a true classic,even if the politics behind it were fouled up.
3. Big Yellow Taxi -- Joni Mitchell. I liked Joni's early, breezy brand of folk pop. Her album Blue is still likable. The problem is not the tune here, it's the insipid lyrics. Uhg.
IMO,Joni Mitchell's early songwriting qualifies her as a true genius.Never cared for her performing talents,but she wrote four or five of my very favorites songs of all time...all in 1970 or earlier.
2. Eve of Destruction -- Barry McGuire. Complete idiocy. Apparently influenced Algore and John Kerry. Apparently that was a long "eve" he was carterwauling about.
Another fine piece of music,IMO.The politics behind it may be another story.
1. Imagine -- John Lennon. This was proof to me that Paul McCartney was the real talent in the Beatles.
The Beatles,up to Abbey Road,showed amazing talent.I don't know enough about music in general or the Beatles in particular to be able to determine how that talent should be apportioned to the individual members.IMO,neither Lennon nor McCartney showed any talent after about 1969.As for "Imagine",I still marvel at how many "possessions" he left Yoko each time I walk past the Dakota, a place where some of the richest folks on earth live,and have lived.
I actually like old Arlo, for some reason. The Spirit of New Orleans is a nice song.
Anything by Phil Ochs.
"Long haired freaky people" need not apply.
"Anyone caught trespassing" will be shot on sight.
SD
Well thank you for that critique. It shall be duly noted that you like that type of music. LOL. Imagine grates on me in every way. the only musically good one, to me, was Joni, who I agree was a real talent. As was Marvin Gaye in the early-mid sixties.
UGH! "Pave over paradise and put in a parking lot." HOW TRITE CAN YOU GET!
Much as I love Simon and Garfunkel, their first album includes two of the most insipid protest songs ever written, "He Was My Brother" and "The Sun is Burning."
One of my favorite Dylan songs is not so much a protest song (contrary to what some of his admirers say) but about the APOCALPSE, "A Hard Rain is Gonna Fall." They should play that song in Church whenever they quote the book of revelations.
Perhaps I remember it as I want to remember it(?).
Paging Dr. Freud. Would Dr. Freud please pick up the white courtesy phone...
;O)
Arlo performed "City (not Spirit) of New Orleans", but it was written by Steve Goodman.
If I had a hammer, I'd kill Peter, Paul, AND Mary!
I like Arlo too. Spirit of New Orleans is classic.
Ted Kennedy's head on Jack Black's body?
B Natural? Wasn't that a barber shop quartet Homer Simpson sang with a couple years ago?
Amen.
Yeah, City of New Orleans.
Doncha know me, I'm your native son....
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