George W. Bush's Contributions to Music, Pt. 1
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Now that Bush is out of office, I'm going out on a limb (only slightly) and while trying to remain objective, I can't say that I miss him (or Darth Sidious, I mean Dick Cheney). In the closing years of his administration, lots of music (or at least lyrics) seemed to be inspired by him and his cronies. My first example comes from Coldplay's Viva La Vida album and the song of the same title:
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world
It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
I don't think there can be a lot of quibbling over the meaning of those lyrics. Agree? Disagree? Discuss.
Comments (7)
I find that the anti-Bush songs lack intelligence and subtlety and I won't buy them. I will go so far as to buy CDs digitally and skip the anti-Bush rants.
It is SO easy to preach to the choir. I read 7 magazines per month about politics. I have no interest in the political insights of pop stars, nor do I buy milk from an electrician.
I was expecting a Ministry tune...
@dermahrk - Valid point. While I can't hide my distaste for Bush et al, I know that he still has a core of fans. I'm more interested in the discussion of varying points of view than I am "Bush bashing." I just think it's reflection of the times we lived through (post 9/11).
Given that Saddam Hussein tried to have W's dad assassinated, I think Bush had every intention of "getting him" by whatever means necessary. Not sure if it was my dad I'd feel any different.
@ RGM - That's a pretty blatant example, but it certainly counts. My main point was to find ways that Bush-related feelings (pro or con) were being expressed under the cover of something else.
Rachel Maddow has made a lot of fun of that choral music that began and ended this tune. It's called "Oh Fortuna" and is often used as scary music (I think they used it in the original "Omen" movies). She believes you can make anything, any idea, scary by using that music in a commercial.
The dude (GWB) spoke on two sides of his mouth. He shouldn't have been President. He went into Iraq blew the fricken place up. Now we gotta send tax money on rebuilding the place. Didn't take care of Afganistan, or Bin Laden. Sellsout our country to China. That's just thetip of the iceberg. Oh yea he was a great President (rolls eye's, aimed @ Bush supporters). I don't believe people are still for this guy. I think sometimes people take a sujective view of issue's like politics, rather than an objective view point. I think he set the stage for Obama's corp bailout's. I think Bush was incompetent, & Obama's just evi. Sure Obama looks & sounds good, but he's still a shadey Lawyer. He seems worse than Bush IMO. Sorry man but everyone's been con.
I'm giving Obama until the end of his first term before I lay down a judgment. In all fairness, he inherited the biggest mess since Gerald Ford took over from Nixon. We've got to give him time to make some headway before we judge the results, IMO.
I hope your right, it all seems like a pass of the torch to me.