Some have commented about how this song might be a repudiation of the late 60's/early 70's idealism of Lennon and other musicians. I think it's more complicated than that. While there are a number of SD songs of that era which were critical of the counterculture, I do believe that both Don and Walt were sympathetic to the ideals - it was just that they didn't think the counterculture was doing anything productive toward achieving those ideals.
In that respect, it seems to me that this song is more Randy Newman-esque in giving voice to a character outside of themselves. A character who is ridiculing the Lennons as well as a lot of straw men, but also thinks that only a fool could believe in a better world.
In other words, this song is a dig at both sides of the argument. Walt and Don always keep you guessing.
@jaymeister - Pair this track from 1972 with the Who's Won't Get Fooled Again (1971). Both songs first verses included references to guns.
@jaymeister - Pair this track from 1972 with the Who's Won't Get Fooled Again (1971). Both songs first verses included references to guns.
IMO both songs are about the failure/failings of the counterculture from the late 1960s to accomplish their goals. IMO the 2nd verse on this song basically says "just put yourself in the shoes of the average working man who dragging around 9 to 5 all day, you get home, flick on the TV and see someone is propagandizing about how great the world could be, if only... and you, tired, just don't want to hear about...
IMO both songs are about the failure/failings of the counterculture from the late 1960s to accomplish their goals. IMO the 2nd verse on this song basically says "just put yourself in the shoes of the average working man who dragging around 9 to 5 all day, you get home, flick on the TV and see someone is propagandizing about how great the world could be, if only... and you, tired, just don't want to hear about it. Life is hard enough to listen to bad news, and you a working man knows nothing is free so the guy on the TV is a fool to say that."
Some have commented about how this song might be a repudiation of the late 60's/early 70's idealism of Lennon and other musicians. I think it's more complicated than that. While there are a number of SD songs of that era which were critical of the counterculture, I do believe that both Don and Walt were sympathetic to the ideals - it was just that they didn't think the counterculture was doing anything productive toward achieving those ideals.
In that respect, it seems to me that this song is more Randy Newman-esque in giving voice to a character outside of themselves. A character who is ridiculing the Lennons as well as a lot of straw men, but also thinks that only a fool could believe in a better world.
In other words, this song is a dig at both sides of the argument. Walt and Don always keep you guessing.
@jaymeister - Pair this track from 1972 with the Who's Won't Get Fooled Again (1971). Both songs first verses included references to guns.
@jaymeister - Pair this track from 1972 with the Who's Won't Get Fooled Again (1971). Both songs first verses included references to guns.
IMO both songs are about the failure/failings of the counterculture from the late 1960s to accomplish their goals. IMO the 2nd verse on this song basically says "just put yourself in the shoes of the average working man who dragging around 9 to 5 all day, you get home, flick on the TV and see someone is propagandizing about how great the world could be, if only... and you, tired, just don't want to hear about...
IMO both songs are about the failure/failings of the counterculture from the late 1960s to accomplish their goals. IMO the 2nd verse on this song basically says "just put yourself in the shoes of the average working man who dragging around 9 to 5 all day, you get home, flick on the TV and see someone is propagandizing about how great the world could be, if only... and you, tired, just don't want to hear about it. Life is hard enough to listen to bad news, and you a working man knows nothing is free so the guy on the TV is a fool to say that."