This is one of the first EPIC Rock Songs written and completely captures John Kay's intelligence and forward thinking. I was a 7 or 8 yrs. old kid when I hear this song for the first time, but its meaning was as obvious to me then as it is now.
It clearly speaks to the original idea or Spirit of what America was supposed to be- and what that spirit became because of prosperity, hypocrisy, and laziness. The first settlers came to escape religious persecution- and planted the seeds for a "live and let live" societal concept, But alas- even back then those same hypocritical Christians burnt "withes" to the stake and enslaved stolen Africans for the purpose of self gain.
Still they emigrated by thousands to what was to become America, despite its short comings and inability to fulfill its idealistic-altruistic dream. We broke our ties with the Crown (American Revolution) and hence a country that was supposed to allow for freedom, property, liberty, and individualism was born. Many lives were lost building the railroad that connected the east and west coast, we slaughtered the Native Americans- but it was all based on the premise that we were building a free nation, based on equality and devoid of persecution for being different. But we constantly fell short-(and still do).
The blue gray is obviously reference to the civil war- and is when America transitioned to the industrial age-and then references feeding the corrupt modern version of the original spiritual idealistic America.(They stuffed it just like a hog-what a powerful, lyrical rhyme!) In its early stages the corrupted version of the spirit still "smiled" on America and was generous in supporting its growth and prosperity despite stomping on the original ideas of freedom and liberty for ALL that the first pioneers had planted.
The city's have turned into jungles of crime, poverty, and corruption. Instead of looking out for each other, we are just worried about ourselves. Our political leaders, local/federal government, and police forces once filled with great people are now self serving hypocrites no longer concerned about the original idea of freedom and individualism that bought the first settlers here. We have fed the perverse version of the original American dream/spirit (which is the Monster) and it is now out of control.
Kay's lyrics reflect a love for America- the original dream, but recognizes it has gone astray. He calls for us to rally - and get back to the basics of what this country was originally founded on. This is expressed in the "America-where are you now" lyrics- it is the spirit of the 60s generation to make America the country it has the potential to be, not to tear it down. "Now we are fighting a war over there"-Vietnam of course!)
Tremendous, message that surmised what Steppenwolf, Kay, and the supposed counter hippy culture was all about in the 60s - American is great but is off track and needs to be guided back on course. The song stands the test of time as it seems to become MORE relevant with the passing of time-not less. What recent song do you know of that delivered such a message......America never did quite answer his call, and now we are fatter and lazier less concerned with this message than ever before! I know he wasn't an American- but Kay definitely understood the American spirit, dream, and vision.
This is one of the first EPIC Rock Songs written and completely captures John Kay's intelligence and forward thinking. I was a 7 or 8 yrs. old kid when I hear this song for the first time, but its meaning was as obvious to me then as it is now.
It clearly speaks to the original idea or Spirit of what America was supposed to be- and what that spirit became because of prosperity, hypocrisy, and laziness. The first settlers came to escape religious persecution- and planted the seeds for a "live and let live" societal concept, But alas- even back then those same hypocritical Christians burnt "withes" to the stake and enslaved stolen Africans for the purpose of self gain.
Still they emigrated by thousands to what was to become America, despite its short comings and inability to fulfill its idealistic-altruistic dream. We broke our ties with the Crown (American Revolution) and hence a country that was supposed to allow for freedom, property, liberty, and individualism was born. Many lives were lost building the railroad that connected the east and west coast, we slaughtered the Native Americans- but it was all based on the premise that we were building a free nation, based on equality and devoid of persecution for being different. But we constantly fell short-(and still do).
The blue gray is obviously reference to the civil war- and is when America transitioned to the industrial age-and then references feeding the corrupt modern version of the original spiritual idealistic America.(They stuffed it just like a hog-what a powerful, lyrical rhyme!) In its early stages the corrupted version of the spirit still "smiled" on America and was generous in supporting its growth and prosperity despite stomping on the original ideas of freedom and liberty for ALL that the first pioneers had planted.
The city's have turned into jungles of crime, poverty, and corruption. Instead of looking out for each other, we are just worried about ourselves. Our political leaders, local/federal government, and police forces once filled with great people are now self serving hypocrites no longer concerned about the original idea of freedom and individualism that bought the first settlers here. We have fed the perverse version of the original American dream/spirit (which is the Monster) and it is now out of control.
Kay's lyrics reflect a love for America- the original dream, but recognizes it has gone astray. He calls for us to rally - and get back to the basics of what this country was originally founded on. This is expressed in the "America-where are you now" lyrics- it is the spirit of the 60s generation to make America the country it has the potential to be, not to tear it down. "Now we are fighting a war over there"-Vietnam of course!)
Tremendous, message that surmised what Steppenwolf, Kay, and the supposed counter hippy culture was all about in the 60s - American is great but is off track and needs to be guided back on course. The song stands the test of time as it seems to become MORE relevant with the passing of time-not less. What recent song do you know of that delivered such a message......America never did quite answer his call, and now we are fatter and lazier less concerned with this message than ever before! I know he wasn't an American- but Kay definitely understood the American spirit, dream, and vision.
@MCgold "The song stands the test of time as it seems to become MORE relevant with the passing of time-not less." unfortunately, correct
@MCgold "The song stands the test of time as it seems to become MORE relevant with the passing of time-not less." unfortunately, correct