| Electric Six – When I Get to the Green Building Lyrics | 12 years ago |
|
For me the song has fairly strong political references and meanings with particular reference to American politics and foreign policy . Whistling Dixie, is the first reference to this. A tune associated with the old fashioned deep south of America as shown by our friend here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNtMpPFM7M0 . The next reference is "we haven't had that kind of fun here since 1960", 1960 being the year that John Kennedy defeated Nixon in the battle for presidency of the United States, although he was sworn in in 1961. Why John F Kennedy in a song about US foreign policy? It was Kennedy's presidency which was dominated by cold conflict with Russia. Which is referred to in the following line "we wait in longer lines than the Russians ever did" This is a comparison of 1960s US foreign policy to modern day foreign policy and troops enrolling now and then. This theme is expanded in the next line "selling our children's souls to the highest bid" meaning US politicians sending the youth of America to die in wars many argue are for the sake of oil. "When I get to the green building" which building, and what it refers to exactly, metaphorically or otherwise, is unclear. But what is more significant for me is the line "my arrival will be televised" who does not remember the footage of Saddam's statue being torn down in Iraq once it was conqured by US forces? Again this is digging at the morality of US foreign policy. Further references that give this song a political orientation for me are "our fearless leaders" perhaps an ironic statement as they remain behind a desk while "our children" are sent out to war. "When they're all such cheaters and they have no shame And isn't it interesting to hear the demons sing? When the doorbell rings At the green building" To me this comes across as a referrence to politicians and propaganda (the demons song). The lyrics to the song also reinforce that opinion on US foreign policy is a subjective matter, "every point of view on this depends on who you ask" which is very much true for politics. Although it does come across that the writter certainly has a negative and jaded view of politics and the truth behing politicians motivations. There are other references in the song which can be interpreted politically, but I will leave them for you to find. And. Of Course. This is just my opinion. |
|
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.