Bruce Springsteen was booed in Glastonbury for not playing Born in the USA. People have always misinterpreted that song. Probably why he doesn't play it much any more. Aside from that, I'm wondering what kind of connection an audience of mostly Scots would have with Born in the USA. Reading that gave me a few thoughts.
Politics is under the impression that music influences people, mainly the youth I would think, so politicians try to figure out ways to use it or to prevent its use. The aforementioned Born in the USA was played at a Republican National Convention. I'm fairly certain that no one read the lyrics (See QOTD for the first verse of that song). That was a dumb way to use music to influence anyone.
Simon and Garfunkel's hit, Mrs Robinson, was censored for TV because someone didn't like the line, "Going to the candidates debate". Not sure whose side benefits from removing that verse but it seems to me like a dumb way to try to prevent the use of music.
Country Joe McDonald played his famous Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag at Woodstock. When very few joined in, he complained onstage that he didn't know how they were going to "stop a war" if they couldn't sing better. The war didn't stop. Country Joe was singing to the choir, anyway.
Of course, we all remember the political storm Natalie Maines and The Dixie Chicks stirred up six years ago. I didn't agree with their opinion then but I was absolutely appalled by the reaction to it. Disagreement and criticism is fine and there was plenty of it. Boycotts are fine although a bit silly. Vandalism and death threats have no place in democracy and there was plenty of that, too. The DC's actions weren't an immediately effective use of music but the way they stuck to their guns and their f*ck you stance to their critics won the day if you ask me and fickle public opinion has veered in their favor.
Speaking of music. I've seen Washboard Chaz at The French Quarter Festival in New Orleans. He is awesome.
I'm 40 minutes into the epic 170 minute Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. It had better get better soon.
I offer two from the very hot CrabAppleLane backyard.
CrabAppleLane Charlotte - June 28, 2009 - To fully appreciate
CrabAppleLane Trail - June 28, 2009
74 days until football season ...
Quote of the Day
Born down in a dead man's town
The first kick I took was when I hit the ground
You end up like a dog that's been beat too much
Till you spend half your life just covering up, now
Born in the U.S.A, I was
Born in the U.S.A, I was
Born in the U.S.A
Born in the U.S.A, now
Bruce Springsteen, Born in the USA
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "They were banned from radio. They received death threats. They were blacklisted by the record industry. People organized massive boycotts and destroyed their records. Talk Radio went nuts."
You know, I have only managed to watch the first Pirates movie. I hate trilogies and whatnot.
Kinda wish I had stopped there, too, Andrea. Depp's Captain Jack was off the charts in the first one. Totally unexpected, totally original. That's gone forever although he still does a decent job with the character.
I didn't feel like getting into Flickr so I went back to the picture and stared at it till the spider came to life! The Argiope is back (yes, I remember you found out that's not the name, but it's fun to call her that). Looks like it's pretty high up? Lovely picture.
It's a golden orb spider. Hers is a massive, intricate 3d web.
I appreciate the shot, the subject...not so much. I'm not terrified of spiders, but they are pretty much the most repulsive insect in the world to me. Even more than ticks.
I have grown to admire spiders, Dave. I don't need them in my eyes when I'm on the tractor like this one will likely be but I appreciate them otherwise. They kill a ton of gnats, horseflies, lovebugs, mosquitoes, and the like, which I like less.
Oh they are useful that way and I leave them alone as long as they extend the same courtesy. Once they invade my space though, they are toast.