American Dream

This song reminds me of Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen and some of the Vietnam era protest songs. The casual listener thinks it is a patriotic song but if you listen closely, it is a condemnation of conservative US culture and politics -- especially NRA politics in the midst of mass shootings.

The opening lyrics are tell a story of dysfunction and destruction coupled with the uncaring attitude of the people who are more concerned with their gun rights than people dying on the streets. "Blood on a street, it's another new day, Lost count of how many died, at least I'm doing it my way."

The line "You're the liberated, you are the free" seems like a nod to the USA being a free country, but Sam spins that freedom into something a little more sinister -- "Free to cry and die disenfranchised, blessed as a country." We exercise these freedoms in a way (in particular, gun violence) that causes pain and suffering for many. It is something to be mourned, not celebrated.

In this case, the "American dream" is a dream for some and a nightmare for others.

The song then pivots to specifically call out the conservative political machine. "Hand on a Bible, Foot on your neck, Living half-past half-mast, and semi-automatic." The Bible-thumping conservatives willingly and uncaringly oppress with their politics. The half-mast is a reference to mass shootings causing flags to be hung half mast which these folks are casually and uncaringly "living past" (ignoring) with their semi-automatic rifles in tow.

The line "Help isn't coming, start praying for you, It ain't much but it's the least I can do" is mocking the ever-present "thoughts and prayers" after the shootings. These folks will pray for you but not lift a finger to fix the problem.