Music is very subjective and I can understand the appeal of this tune to many people: one guy (Anthony’s personal story is inspiring), a guitar and a mic, some animals around him, lyrics bemoaning politicians, and all the right facial contortions and faux strained expressions MTV nation has come to expect from its bread and circuses.
It’s pushing all the right buttons, and for 80MM+ disenfranchised Americans, I can see them being drawn to this song.
But if this song was full of leftist lyrics, everybody would say it sucks. Again, I have nothing against Anthony. I empathize with the lyrics and, of course, love the message. I simply wish it was “better.”
Elevating the average or mundane to some lofty, unjustified height is what the commies did with Socialist Realism. The only thing missing here is the sanctioning of the state.
Three minutes later I thought, "are you kidding me? This sucks!"
OK, I did appreciate the hand wringing, overblown lyrics and the bit about "miners" and "minors" but IMO there just wasn't much meat to the whole thing. And you're right when you say that had the lyrics been some lefty drivel instead most who say they like this tune would have said it sucked. Because regardless of its lyrics it does rather suck.
Agree with your take on the scrunched-up facial expressions too - reminds me of those rock guys who look like they're boinking a room full of horny fashion models when they're preforming a 10 minute guitar solo. So fake. So damn put on and cringeworthy. Ugh.
When it comes to this sort of protest music I'll take Aaron Lewis's "Am I the Only One" over Oliver's tune any day and by a thousand miles.