Posted on 08/27/2010 4:44:26 PM PDT by iowamark
On first glance, rock ’n’ roll music isn’t very conservative. It doesn’t fare much better on second or third glance (or listen), either. Neil Young has a new song called “Let’s Impeach the President.” Last year, the Rolling Stones made news with “Sweet Neo Con,” another anti-Bush ditty. For conservatives who enjoy rock, it isn’t hard to agree with the opinion Johnny Cash expressed in “The One on the Right Is on the Left”: “Don’t go mixin’ politics with the folk songs of our land / Just work on harmony and diction / Play your banjo well / And if you have political convictions, keep them to yourself.” In other words: Shut up and sing.
But some rock songs really are conservative — and there are more of them than you might think. Last year, I asked readers of National Review Online to nominate conservative rock songs. Hundreds of suggestions poured in. I’ve sifted through them all, downloaded scores of mp3s, and puzzled over a lot of lyrics. What follows is a list of the 50 greatest conservative rock songs of all time, as determined by me and a few others. The result is of course arbitrary, though we did apply a handful of criteria.
What makes a great conservative rock song? The lyrics must convey a conservative idea or sentiment, such as skepticism of government or support for traditional values. And, to be sure, it must be a great rock song. We’re biased in favor of songs that are already popular, but have tossed in a few little-known gems. In several cases, the musicians are outspoken liberals. Others are notorious libertines. For the purposes of this list, however, we don’t hold any of this against them. Finally, it would have been easy to include half a dozen songs by both the Kinks and Rush, but we’ve made an effort to cast a wide net. Who ever said diversity isn’t a conservative principle?
So here are NR’s top 50 conservative rock songs of all time. Go ahead and quibble with the rankings, complain about what we put on, and send us outraged letters and e-mails about what we left off. In the end, though, we hope you’ll admit that it’s a pretty cool playlist for your iPod.
1. “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” by The Who. The conservative movement is full of disillusioned revolutionaries; this could be their theme song, an oath that swears off naïve idealism once and for all. “There’s nothing in the streets / Looks any different to me / And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye. . . . Meet the new boss / Same as the old boss.” The instantly recognizable synthesizer intro, Pete Townshend’s ringing guitar, Keith Moon’s pounding drums, and Roger Daltrey’s wailing vocals make this one of the most explosive rock anthems ever recorded — the best number by a big band, and a classic for conservatives.
2. “Taxman,” by The Beatles. A George Harrison masterpiece with a famous guitar riff (which was actually played by Paul McCartney): “If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street / If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat / If you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat / If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet.” The song closes with a humorous jab at death taxes: “Now my advice for those who die / Declare the pennies on your eyes.”
3. “Sympathy for the Devil,” by The Rolling Stones. Don’t be misled by the title; this song is The Screwtape Letters of rock. The devil is a tempter who leans hard on moral relativism — he will try to make you think that “every cop is a criminal / And all the sinners saints.” What’s more, he is the sinister inspiration for the cruelties of Bolshevism: “I stuck around St. Petersburg / When I saw it was a time for a change / Killed the czar and his ministers / Anastasia screamed in vain.”
4. “Sweet Home Alabama,” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. A tribute to the region of America that liberals love to loathe, taking a shot at Neil Young’s Canadian arrogance along the way: “A Southern man don’t need him around anyhow.”
5. “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” by The Beach Boys. Pro-abstinence and pro-marriage: “Maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray it might come true / Baby then there wouldn’t be a single thing we couldn’t do / We could be married / And then we’d be happy.”
6. “Gloria,” by U2. Just because a rock song is about faith doesn’t mean that it’s conservative. But what about a rock song that’s about faith and whose chorus is in Latin? That’s beautifully reactionary: “Gloria / In te domine / Gloria / Exultate.”
7. “Revolution,” by The Beatles. “You say you want a revolution / Well you know / We all want to change the world . . . Don’t you know you can count me out?” What’s more, Communism isn’t even cool: “If you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao / You ain’t going to make it with anyone anyhow.” (Someone tell the Che Guevara crowd.)
8. “Bodies,” by The Sex Pistols. Violent and vulgar, but also a searing anti-abortion anthem by the quintessential punk band: “It’s not an animal / It’s an abortion.”
9. “Don’t Tread on Me,” by Metallica. A head-banging tribute to the doctrine of peace through strength, written in response to the first Gulf War: “So be it / Threaten no more / To secure peace is to prepare for war.”
10. “20th Century Man,” by The Kinks. “You keep all your smart modern writers / Give me William Shakespeare / You keep all your smart modern painters / I’ll take Rembrandt, Titian, da Vinci, and Gainsborough. . . . I was born in a welfare state / Ruled by bureaucracy / Controlled by civil servants / And people dressed in grey / Got no privacy got no liberty / ’Cause the 20th-century people / Took it all away from me.”
11. “The Trees,” by Rush.
12. “Neighborhood Bully,” by Bob Dylan.
13. “My City Was Gone,” by The Pretenders.
14. “Right Here, Right Now,” by Jesus Jones.
15. “I Fought the Law,” by The Crickets.
16. “Get Over It,” by The Eagles. “I’d like to find your inner child and kick its little ass.”
17. “Stay Together for the Kids,” by Blink 182.
18. “Cult of Personality,” by Living Colour.
19. “Kicks,” by Paul Revere and the Raiders.
20. “Rock the Casbah,” by The Clash.
21. “Heroes,” by David Bowie.
22. “Red Barchetta,” by Rush.
23. “Brick,” by Ben Folds Five. "Written from the perspective of a man who takes his young girlfriend to an abortion clinic, this song describes the emotional scars of “reproductive freedom”: “Now she’s feeling more alone / Than she ever has before. . . . As weeks went by / It showed that she was not fine.”"
24. “Der Kommissar,” by After the Fire.
25. “The Battle of Evermore,” by Led Zeppelin.
26. “Capitalism,” by Oingo Boingo.
27. “Obvious Song,” by Joe Jackson.
28. “Janie’s Got a Gun,” by Aerosmith.
29. “Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” by Iron Maiden.
30. “You Can’t Be Too Strong,” by Graham Parker. "describes the horror of abortion with bracing honesty: “Did they tear it out with talons of steel, and give you a shot so that you wouldn’t feel?”"
31. “Small Town,” by John Mellencamp.
32. “Keep Your Hands to Yourself,” by The Georgia Satellites.
33. “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” by The Rolling Stones.
34. “Godzilla,” by Blue öyster Cult.
35. “Who’ll Stop the Rain,” by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
36. “Government Cheese,” by The Rainmakers.
37. “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” by The Band.
38. “I Can’t Drive 55,” by Sammy Hagar.
39. “Property Line,” by The Marshall Tucker Band.
40. “Wake Up Little Susie,” by The Everly Brothers.
41. “The Icicle Melts,” by The Cranberries. A pro-life tune sung by Irish warbler Dolores O’Riordan: “I don’t know what’s happening to people today / When a child, he was taken away . . . ’Cause nine months is too long.”
42. “Everybody’s a Victim,” by The Proclaimers. The
43. “Wonderful,” by Everclear.
44. “Two Sisters,” by The Kinks.
45. “Taxman, Mr. Thief,” by Cheap Trick.
46. “Wind of Change,” by The Scorpions.
47. “One,” by Creed.
48. “Why Don’t You Get a Job,” by The Offspring.
49. “Abortion,” by Kid Rock. "A plaintive song sung by a man who confronts his unborn child’s abortion: “I know your brothers and your sister and your mother too / Man I wish you could see them too.”"
50. “Stand By Your Man,” by Tammy Wynette. "Hillary trashed it — isn’t that enough? If you’re worried that Wynette’s original is too country, then check out the cover version by Motörhead."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRFlaZCoWGs
On my list, only one I have is the
“who’ll stop the rain”.
I also like:
“Someday never comes”. If you don’t think dads are important...
Liberty or death, what we so proudly hail
Once you provoke her, rattling of her tail
Never begins it, never, but once engaged...
Never surrenders, showing the fangs of rage
Don't tread on me
So be it
Threaten no more
To secure peace is to prepare for war
So be it
Settle the score
Touch me again for the words that you'll hear evermore...
Don't tread on me
Love it or live it, she with the deadly bite
Quick is the blue tongue, forked as lighting strike
Shining with brightness, always on surveillance
The eyes, they never close, emblem of vigilance
Don't tread on me
So be it
Threaten no more
To secure peace is to prepare for war
So be it
Settle the score
Touch me again for the words that you'll hear evermore...
Don't tread on me
So be it
Threaten no more
To secure peace is to prepare for war
Liberty or death, what we so proudly hail
Once you provoke her, rattling on her tail
So be it
Threaten no more
To secure peace is to prepare for war
So be it
Settle the score
Touch me again for the words that you'll hear evermore...
Don't tread on me
Let us NOT forget the BRAND NEWEST offering for 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0heL2Czeraw
I AM AMERICA
Krista Branch
Pay no attention to the people in the street
Crying out for accountability
Make a joke of what we believe
Say we don’t matter ‘cause you disagree
Pretend you’re kings, sit on your throne
Lock down your nose at the peasants below
I’ve got some news: we’re taking names —
We’re waiting now for the judgment day
I am America
One voice, united we stand
I am America
One hope, to heal our land
There is still work that must be done
I will not rest until we’ve won
I am America.
You preach your tolerance but lecture me
Is there no end to your own hypocrisy?
Your god is power, you have no shame
Your only interest is political gain
You hide your eyes and refuse to listen
You play your games and abuse the system
You stuff your pockets while Rome is burning —
I’ve got a feeling that the tide is turning
I am America
One voice, united we stand
I am America
One hope, to heal our land
I will not give up on this fight
I will not fade into the night
I am America.
You stuff your pockets while Rome is burning —
I’ve got a feeling that the tide is turning
I am America
One voice, united we stand
I am America
One hope, to heal our land
I am America
One voice, united we stand
I am America
One hope, to heal our land
I will not give up on this fight
I will not fade into the night
I am America.
Seemed ping worthy...
The pain, humiliation and regret are undeniably powerful in this song, and in complete contrast to the value-free consequence-free lifestyle that is usually the subject of rock and roll songs. Compare it with Whitney Houston's Saving all my love for you, which is also about marital infidelity and trying to be the other woman.
While I wouldn't call her a role model, I would rather have a teenage girl listen to and think about You Ought to Know more than Saving all my love for you
I don’t get that one either.
I always took it for anti business.
I may have missed it but I didn’t see Sunny Afternoon by The Kinks or Taxman by The Beatles.
Awesome tune. They also featured the coiled snake from the Gadsden flag on that albumn. Also, “Eye of the Beholder” from ...And Justice For All seems to be more appropriate today than when it was written.
Independence limited/Freedom of choice is made for you my friend/Freedom of speech is words that they will bend/Freedom with their exception.
Also, Megadeth has “United Abominations” from a couple years ago totally ripping the UN.
“Gathsemane (I Only Want To Say)”.
Ian Gillan, from Jesus Christ Superstar.
“Listen surely I’ve exceeded, expectations...”
Great album. Trial Before Pilate, strong runner up.
Sorry but the song “give me back my bullets” is not about guns.
Its about the short band blurbs(called bullets) that are found in music magazines. i.e “The LS band was seen in LA this weekend hanging out at the Whiskey a go go”
If you want a true Conservative artist try David Asman’s
“21st century nation” - its animal farm and atlas shrugged set to crushing rock music. And unlike most of these artist on the list, Asman is really conservative.
Gotta run to a gig now.
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/DavidAsman
In my dream, my wife and I signed up for soccer lessons by some soccer pro. There was a group of us that signed up for lessons and we all walked out onto the field to get our lesson.
Well my wife and I pretty much sucked at soccer, much to the disgust of the soccer pro, who quickly separated us from the rest of the group and told us to practice kicking a soccer ball against the fence. Well my wife lined up and kicked a soccer ball OVER the fence and it was a high fence so I couldn't just jump over it. I had to walk quite a way to get to an opening in the fence and then had to walk all the way back on the other side of the fence to get the ball.
After what seemed a very long time, I finally arrive back on the soccer field and let my wife kick it again. Once again, she kicks it over the fence and so this time, the both of us start the long walk around the fence to retrieve the ball. Meanwhile the rest of the soccer group have pretty much forgotten about us and they are engaged in some sort of scrimmage.
As we walk around the fence, the song "Jet Airliner" by Steve Miller Band starts blasting and off in the distance, we see a huge airplane approaching. As it gets closer, we notice that there are two smaller planes attached on either side of it. This is a gigantic aircraft, actually three airplanes in one.
This monstrosity passes right over our heads, barely a few hundred feet above us, and then it shoots straight up into the air to do a loop. As it makes this look, a piece of the aircraft breaks off and lands a few feet from us. It is a chunk about the size of a small refrigerator and there is smoke pouring out of it.
We keep our distance but nevertheless can feel the heat coming off it. Meanwhile, the giant airliner continues to loop over us and with "Jet Airliner" still playing loudly, I awaken from my dream and start getting ready for work.
“Where are you from Jesus, what do you want Jesus, tell me...”
“You’ve got to be careful, you could be dead soon, could well be...”
“Why do you not speak, when I have your life, in my hands?...”
“How can you stay quiet, I don’t believe you understand!”...
That song was originally done by Nine Inch Nails. While I am a fan theirs and think that Trent Reznor is pretty unique and talented, he is definitely a big lib. I’m not sure what the song is really about but I doubt it’s really conservative.
Living in America, James Brown.
Although it’s more of a celebratory song.
Don’t forget Van Morrison singing about the good ol’ US of A
You can take, all the tea in china
Put it in a big brown, bag for me
Sail right around, the seven oceans
Drop it straight into the deep blue sea
She’s as sweet as Tupelo honey
She’s an angel of the first degree
She’s as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey, from the bee
You can’t stop us, on the road to freedom
You can’t keep us, cause our eyes can see
Men with insight, men in granite
Knights in armor bent on chivalry
She’s as sweet as Tupelo honey
She’s an angel of the first degree
She’s as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey from the bee
You know shes alright
You know shes alright with me
Shes alright, shes alright
You can take, all the tea in china
Put it in a big brown bag for me
Sail it right around, the seven oceans
Drop it smack dab in the middle of the deep blue sea
Because she’s as sweet as Tupelo honey
Shes an angel of the first degree
Shes as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey from the bee
Shes as sweet as Tupelo honey
Shes an angel of the first degree
Shes as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like the honey, baby, from the bee
Shes my baby, you know shes alright.....
(that excerpt from “Trial Before Pilate” was Pilate’s part)
Not a big fan of your dreams.
You see the world through your cynical eyes
You're a troubled young man I can tell
You've got it all in the palm of your hand
But your hand's wet with sweat and your head needs a rest
And you're fooling yourself if you don't believe it
You're kidding yourself if you don't believe it
Why must you be such an angry young man
When your future looks quite bright to me
How can there be such a sinister plan
That could hide such a lamb, such a caring young man
You're fooling yourself if you don't believe it
You're kidding yourself if you don't believe it
Get up, get back on your feet
You're the one they can't beat and you know it
Come on, let's see what you've got
Just take your best shot and don't blow it
You're fooling yourself if you don't believe it
You're killing yourself if you don't believe it
Get up, get back on your feet
You're the one they can't beat and you know it
Come on, let's see what you've got
Just take your best shot and don't blow it
-PJ
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