Those 9/11 Songs: Are you with Springsteen or Keith?

National Review ^ | August 27, 2002 | Stanley Kurtz

[ejdrapes]

Somebody clue me in....when did Springsteen become a supporter of the war effort? The only thing I'm aware of is the comment he made to Time magazine about the war in Afghanistan being handled well. But it was more of a backhand comment (i.e., Bush isn't doing as bad of a job as I thought he would).

I'm not aware of any comments from Neil Young, although his partner in CSNY, Graham Nash called Bush an idiot in an interview (and this was after 9/11). McCartney has been very pro-American since 9/11, and in one interview did refer to the events of 9/11 as an "act of war" and rejected the notion that America was complicit in 9/11 because of our policy in the Middle East.

I think people are delusional if they think lefty Bruce Springsteen is a supporter of the war and/or Bush.

[GaryMontana]

I will take Tobey Keith.

Let's put a boot up the arab parasite rear.

[Revolting cat!]

I'm with Keith. Richards. Beyond that, I'm with Mark Steyn, whose one sentence, off the cuff review a couple of days ago sums it up perfectly:

"Bruce Springsteen’s inert, equivalist wallow of a 9/11 album, The Rising, is a classic example of how even a supposed ‘blue-collar’ icon can’t bring himself to want America to win."

[RepoGirl]

I'm with Keith. Heck, his patriotism and pro-American stance is shockingly irreverent to the powers-that-be and is down right, dare I say it, scandalously SUBVERSIVE!

I'm all for booting folks in the rear--will my Doc Marten 'stompers' do?

[Arkinsaw]

ALREADY POSTED HERE

[Arkinsaw]

Springsteen's album is fairly apolitical. Its pretty obvious that it is for the families of the victims and not to promote political objectives. That is one reason the left is disappointed in it.

I find it to be a painting of average America on Sept. 11 with some patriotism, some desire for revenge, some desire for peace, shock, sadness, feelings of duty, sacrifice, and mainly resurrection and regeneration. I think that everyone attempting to tie political ideas to the album are going to hate it whether they are on the right or the left. I like it for what it is.

[Freemeorkillme]

Keith, all the way.

Have you guys seen the Toby Keith/Mike Piazza(spellin?-I'm a Yankee fan, sue me) commercials? Who'd win a whoop-out?

[southern rock]

Like I said on the other thread,

Toby Keith
Charlie Daniels
Hank Jr.
Aaron Tippon

All these guys recorded really great, patriotic, post- 9/11 songs.


(I'm slightly less enthusiastic about Alan Jackson's downbeat tune, but i'm sure it's better than anything Springsteen could do.)

[sissyjane]

I'll take Keith any day! When he sings "The statue of liberty is shaking her fist" and "There's going to be hell to pay"---I get goose bumps every time.I own the CD and hsve listened to it many times-always have the same reaction.

[RepoGirl]

Have you guys seen the Toby Keith/Mike Piazza(spellin?-I'm a Yankee fan, sue me) commercials? Who'd win a whoop-out?

Haven't seen those, but I like the commercials with Toby Keith and Alf.

[fight_truth_decay]

I enjoyed the night he took Jennings to the mat..
"DreamWorks Records Recording Artist Toby Keith Fires Back at News Anchor Peter Jennings and His Representatives
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--June 28, 2002--DreamWorks Records recording artist Toby Keith shoots back at Peter Jennings and his representatives. Network news spokesman Jeffrey W. Schneider was quoted in a news story today as saying "the shipping of boots seems to be an expensive publicity stunt ..."

In response to those comments, Keith stated, "ABC Networks spokesman Jeffrey W. Schneider has publicly stated that I`m actively seeking publicity. He has also contacted my press representatives and asked me to call the dogs off. But I`m not organizing this -- it`s the American people talking! As far as I`m concerned, Mr. Schneider is now on my boot list!"

Peter Jennings` decision to cut Keith`s performance from his July Fourth special because he deemed the single titled "Courtesy Of The Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" too angry lyrically to lead off the show prompted a media frenzy. The patriotic song and the subsequent removal of Keith from the July Fourth television special has stirred the emotions of country fans, radio and politicians across the nation to send their boots to network anchor Peter Jennings as a sign of protest.

Keith added, "We have documented proof that I was confirmed on the ABC Special -- and I will be willing to go on television in any format and show these documents!"

[Dems_R_Losers]

I don't get why it has to be either/or here. I'm a big fan of both Springsteen and Toby Keith, and especially of Alan Jackson, who wrote the best song of them all. I recently saw Springsteen's show and it was unbelievably powerful. It was like a revival meeting. Very spiritual. No other popular artist could have pulled it off. I had tears rolling down my face by then end of it. I doubt a Toby Keith show would do that.

I like this verse from the first song on Springsteen's album:

Hell's brewing, dark sun's on the rise
The storm'll blow through, by and by
House is on fire, viper's in the grass
A little revenge and this too shall pass
This too shall pass, I'm gonna pray
But right now...all I got's this lonesome day

Or this one:

I woke up this morning
I could barely breathe
Just an empty impression
On the bed where you used to be
I want a kiss from your lips
I want an eye for an eye
I woke up this morning
To an empty sky

These songs pefetly capture what I think most people feel: anger and desire to right the wrong, at the same time great sorrow and sense of loss. No matter how successful the war on terrorism is, and how namy boots we put up Osama's ass, we can never go back to where we were on Septembr 10, and I will always feel sorrow about that.

[sarasmom]

Keith.

No contest.

"Everything" is not complicated.Analaysis to paralysis is the "liberal" frame of mind.It does not denote superior intellect.It only proves some people purposely expend resouces of mental accuity in avoiding physical reality.

I'll take the facts straight on.I have a better chance of finding "truth" if I ignore emotional appeals for "understanding" the incomprehensible thoughts and actions of madness.

[Northpaw]

The 'Boss' is an over-hyped, under-talented, Leftist jerk that was sold as the 'new' Dylan in the '70's . When that didn't pan out as expected, the leather coat came off, and he was re-packaged as the bluejean-clad, rolled up t-shirt sleeve, working-class hero. He even was given the name 'Boss' (oh, by his fans of course) and it sold. He is a crappy songwriter using simplistic progressions and melodies with all the sophistication of campfire songs.

Wanna guess who I'm with?

[SamAdams76]

I think Toby's got a kick-ass song and I agree with the sentiments contained in it, but I'm not going to dump on Springsteen either. I like Springsteen's new album also and it makes me feel good to learn that the left isn't very happy with it.

[IsItTimeYet]

...It only proves some people purposely expend resouces of mental accuity in avoiding physical reality.

They've spent so much accuity on denying and disguising reality that they're intellectually bankrupt.

...and more than a little smug about the comfortable delusion they've purchased.

[Newbomb Turk]

Toby Keith

[Revolting cat!]

I won't guess who you're with (OK, Raquel Welch?) but will add this an an item of information.

Bruce was a clever package to fill the hole, or opportunity if you prefer, left by Dylan's multiple betrayals, political and artistic to the 60s Left. It worked of course and the puppet has played the assigned part extremely well. His puppetmaster was none other that Jon Landau, Rolling Stone (and before that Fusion) rock critic par excellence, the Boss' first (current?) manager and more recently movie producer (Titanic.) A manufactured star, no different from Fabian, although with more talent and with more clever behind the scenes machinations.

[Dems_R_Losers]

The 'Boss' is an over-hyped, under-talented, Leftist jerk that was sold as the 'new' Dylan in the '70's . When that didn't pan out as expected, the leather coat came off, and he was re-packaged as the bluejean-clad, rolled up t-shirt sleeve, working-class hero. He even was given the name 'Boss' (oh, by his fans of course) and it sold. He is a crappy songwriter using simplistic progressions and melodies with all the sophistication of campfire songs.

Zzzzzzzzzz. If you want to offer some real critical analysis of Springsteen's music, fine. His music isn't for everyone. But don't spout the same ad hominem crap that's been recycled since 1975. About 50 million people worldwide have bought his records and think he is a fine songwriter, and after 30 years he is still selling out stadiums all over the world. I doubt we will see Toby Keith doing that 30 years from now.

[Northpaw]

He sells out concerts because the lemmings have been told ad nauseum that he's great. The mathematics of talent = success does not apply to modern music. Rap star CDs outsell Springsteen's by a huge margin. Are you saying that they are more talented than Springsteen and consequently exponentially more talented than Tobey Keith? Are you a musician? I am and I can say unequivocally that Springsteen is a musical featherweight not worthy of a Moose lodge gig, let alone giant concert venues.