Randy Newman has written many great political songs, the best of which are in character, not always the most savoury of character at that. It can be difficult for the casual listener to decide if the voice is a reflection of his opinion or not. You have to think about 'em. That's irony. That's saying what you don't mean so the listener has to try a little bit harder. Some of the songs teeter on the brink of multiple interpretations - It's Money That I Love, You Can Leave Your. Hat On, God's Song . Given the recent Election result Cultureberg hopes 'Political Science' will not hopefully be proven too prescient ("Let's drop the big one now, they all hate us anyhow."), but some of his songs are such perceptive sketches of the American mood (at least, some of it) that I'd like to pick out three of them which seem most telling in the light of recents events.......
1. Rednecks, from 'Good Old Boys'. Randy understands prejudice and liberal self delusion better than any other American songwriter, and for Lester Maddox (former governor of Georgia) you could read Donald Trump. Good Old Boys is his most under-rated record, and clearly New Orleans seeped into his consciousness beyond merely his piano playing.
2.I'm dreaming of a White President. Not on any album, released on video in 2012 and no-one is as aware of unspoken prejudice as Randy. The satire is a bit broader but no less on the money.
3. Putin, from forthcoming elpee. Released before the November election, and before Trump started cosying up with Vlad the Terrible, all in a twisted show-tunes, Disney apocalypse style. I love the interplay with the backing singers. I rilly hope you do too.....
As an afterthought I considered Roll With The Punches from Land of Dreams, but that's a level of irony unintended by its author.....and not a course of action anyone should be considering...Here it is anyhoo!
Hey, mebbe this is the most ironic of 'em all. Maybe, we're all gonna have to roll with the punches.
No comments:
Post a Comment