I agree with the interpretation that this song is about the war. And even beyond that, it is about the relationship between the United States and Canada. It's basically Canada saying, "your ideals have changed -- and not for the better. We're happy we're not you".
America's "ideals" used to be that of laissez faire, keeping out of foreign issues. Even before that, however, the US was known for "manifest destiny", AKA spreading democracy (which is apparently what we're trying to do in Iraq?). A popular image portraying manifest destiny is seen in a painting by John Gast, showing an angel (democracy) flying west across the land (spreading democracy). The image can be seen here:
This goes well with the line
"You're an angel in a see-through dress"
Overall, a very interesting song. Very true, though. A lot of people see Canada as "second best" to the United States, but in reality, they have a lot less crap to deal with than we do. "Sometimes it's better to be second best", indeed.
I agree with the interpretation that this song is about the war. And even beyond that, it is about the relationship between the United States and Canada. It's basically Canada saying, "your ideals have changed -- and not for the better. We're happy we're not you".
America's "ideals" used to be that of laissez faire, keeping out of foreign issues. Even before that, however, the US was known for "manifest destiny", AKA spreading democracy (which is apparently what we're trying to do in Iraq?). A popular image portraying manifest destiny is seen in a painting by John Gast, showing an angel (democracy) flying west across the land (spreading democracy). The image can be seen here:
http://www.historyonthenet.com/American_West/images/manifestdestinylarge.jpg
This goes well with the line "You're an angel in a see-through dress"
Overall, a very interesting song. Very true, though. A lot of people see Canada as "second best" to the United States, but in reality, they have a lot less crap to deal with than we do. "Sometimes it's better to be second best", indeed.