Today's musical header take off comes from "The Very Best of Robert Palmer", Guardian Records. I was determined this morning to move into the headspace that might give me some clues to bridge my usual full metal jacket memes with something a bit more sophisticated. It occurred to me late last night that the difference between low information voters and low information voters for whom content means something might have a musical, radio-based solution.
In order to build up any kind of counterattack to the Limbaugh's of the world, the words and music have to mean something to the listeners of equal strength and meaning, reflecting their values, and translating the progressive message into songs and lyrics they can understand is of paramount import. Otherwise, why should they stop listening to the likes of Hannity and Rush? Follow below the fold.
Like I said, the Palmer material came to mind. Outside of the greatest hits, his music is incredibly complex in a way I really like, multiple drum, bass and synth rythmns punctuated by Stratocaster sound bites that just travel up my spine like sparks off a Tesla coil. Pretty hard maybe to translate to simple down home folk, but some of his hits seemed to appeal to just about everyone. Most of his music though, wouldn't IMHO.
That being said, I decided to take a short break and get out of the house, as I woke up this morning with what could only have been some sort of throat infection. So, off to the ER I went. Sure enough, a clusterfuck of swollen lymph, and a diagnosis of Pharyngitis: Strep. Other than a bit of high blood pressure and a swollen throat, I'm functional. I wouldn't wish Strep on a zombie, so if you woke up with it too, "You Are in my System". And trust me, I need NO cable connection to make it happen. Health and happiness to you.
Being me, I can only look at this as a symptom of the health of the greater whole. I'll be able to pick up my antibiotics in an hour from Walgreen's, but going from city to country, getting democratic imagery into the heart of Repub country, is going to take a little more time. There's just so much you can do in 2/4 and 4/4 time.
McCain rips off so much of our music because he is attempting to make connections. He is such a bumptious swag. Luckily for us, at every turn, he shows himself in fact to be completely unconnected, gyrating wildly as he searches for some hole to plug himself into. Not gonna happen on my watch.
It's no secret that country music has broadened its spectrum considerably since the days of Waylon Jennings. One group came to mind -- Brooks and Dunn. I have yet to review their newly released Cowboy Town but suspect its going to split heads in a good way. They'll be down at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma real soon.
Oklahoma herself, last bastion of down and dirty, tried and true Rethug politics is seeing a bit of a softening. That I'd love to see this state turn purple or even to blue would be the answer to a prayer. Crom however, being the type of god he is, usually doesn't involve himself in the affairs of men, so I guess it might be up to me and my friends.
Some great entertainment centers are built now, and quality bands are coming: Stone Temple Pilots (also an old fave), the Eagles, Carrie Underwood -- a lot going on, mostly white bread, but it's a start. What's "not Oklahoma" is changing, and I'm putting all you out there on notice right now that your congressional and senate seats are equally up for grabs, if not now, in the future, unless you can show yourselves out of the pockets of the idiots that got us into this mess and in the pockets of your constituents in a more progressive way.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch here, I'm remembering that the Beatles sang "All you need is Love". What better meme to combat all this hate lately? (Happy dance segue: Paul Krugman was just awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics).
As such, I'm closing this diary with my favorite Palmer lyrics, from Addicted to Love:
Your lights are on, but you're not home
Your mind is not your own
Your heart sweats, your body shakes
Another kiss is what it takes
You can't sleep, you can't eat
Theres no doubt, you're in deep
Your throat is tight, you can't breathe
Another kiss is all you need
Whoa, you like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh
Yeah
Its closer to the truth to say you can't get enough, you
Know you're Gonna have to face it, you're addicted to love
You see the signs, but you can't read
You're running at a different speed
Your heart beats in double time
Another kiss and youll be mine, a one track mind
You can't be saved
Oblivion is all you crave
If there's some left for you
You don't mind if you do
Whoa, you like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh
Yeah
It's closer to the truth to say you cant get enough, you
Know you're
Gonna have to face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love
Might as well face it, you're addicted to love...
This Love will move the World. Right into the next octave.