| Electric Six – Jimmy Carter Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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I really dig this song's lyrics. Call me crass, but I think it's very poetic and has lots of layered meaning. When you hear things like "electric underwear" the first time, you are tempted to think it's silly nonsense, but then you realize it's a commentary on the ineffectual administration of Carter -- who was elected as a sort of honest do-gooder in reaction to the corruption of Nixon, but then wasn't able to accomplish much. Beyond that, I sort of see the line about the idea never having had a chance as an indictment of the very idea of electing a do-gooder. But that indictment, while practical, is probably made with regret, and the real criticism is of our whole system that wouldn't allow an honest man to do well as president. The song goes on to alternate between presidential history references and pop culture. Then we get to the first "chorus" section, with its fantastic ambiguity. Is the toxic cloud and the white noise talking about the results of the atomic bomb we dropped, or is it talking about the shit pop culture of celebrities and boy bands? I love the image of pop culture as a toxic cloud floating over the land, putting static on our screens. The Reagan lines are probably my favorite imagery, with dead Reagan dreaming forever of horses and nuclear war.. and then sneaking in some paranoia! Shit, talk about nailing it. Then he brings it all home with the Yeats reference. ZAM! Look that one up yourself if you're interested in how it relates. Electric Six has a lot of great songs, but this one's a real thinker. |
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