| Okkervil River – The Latest Toughs Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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Debase, either you've never read any of Rand's work or you didn't comprehend it. Rand described her objectivist philosophy in the following way: "My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute." Whether or not Sheff is an objectivist (and I suspect he is on one level), this song definitely has huge objectivist undertones, cautioning the listener not to blindly follow so-called leaders into their own destruction, and, instead tells the listener to always "ask for proof. Ask for proof." Atlas Shrugged, among other things, is an attack on collectivism. Sheff's Last Toughs is a cautionary warning to those who will blindly follow so-called leaders: "They'll lead you up the hill in chains to their popular refrains And then your slaughter's been arranged, my little lamb, And it's much too late to talk the knife out of their hands." I don't intend to debate here Rand's philosophy nor Sheff's as each of their path's to the perfect state probably differ greatly, but I think Rand would certainly agree with the lyrics in The Latest Toughs. Personally, I think there is more Nietzsche (Thus Spoke Zarathustra) in these lyrics than Rand, but there is a lot of Nietzsche in Rand and all three overlap on the danger of collectivism to the individual (Nietzsche) and society (Rand). |
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| Okkervil River – The Latest Toughs Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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bribook, i agree, but i think your interpretation is too narrow. I don't think it's merely about politicians, but anyone in a position of power, including radio & TV talking heads like Beck, Limbaugh or Schultz that can persuade people to follow a course of action that is in the charismatic leader's self-interest not yours. The power can also extend outside the purely political arena to include ultra-charismatic CEOs or Wall Street types hyping their companies or the next bubble, respectively. Could also be an actor or a musician convincing people to get behind a cause they support. Or, more simply, a charismatic friend who can get you to fulfill his will. Or even a boss or teacher or professor. I think the broader interpretation is supported by the following lines: "I can't think what lines you'd like me to sing or say, Not sure what subjects you want mentioned. So pause and add your own intentions." To me the point of these lines is to tell the listener that this charismatic individual will emerge throughout your life in many different forms, in many different areas of your life. He/she will unhesitatingly lead you to act in his narrow interest which is not necessarily aligned with yours and, when and if necessary, he/she will cut you loose in the end -- for example, send you to die in battle (blood in dying coughs), vote for politicians whose agenda is actually opposite your self-interest, get you fired, get you arrested, etc.. There is something very Nietzschean ("Thus Spoke Zarathustra") about the lyrics, and, yes, Ayn Randian (don't think that's a word :-) ) Ultimately, it's a cautionary tale to look out for yourself because those entrusted to do so will always put their own interests ahead of yours. |
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