Mireille’s post on Republican DJs reminded me of National Review Online’s list of the top 50 conservative rock songs. The Review has a complex relationship with rock music, praising Elvis’ appeal to “love” and “heterosexual sex” while criticizing the emergence of “homosexual rock”.
So this is really too easy, but it’s worth a rundown of the top 50. It’s also cheap, considering that the author concedes “In several cases, the musicians are outspoken liberals.” That said, it would be understandable if a handful of the ditties were simply misplaced leftists standing athwart history. But when it’s everyone, a pattern emerges. So without further:
1. “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” by The Who
The Tommy rockers also cranked out “My Generation,” the classic don’t trust anyone over 30 anthem. “Hope I die before I get old?” This one made the list for its counterrevolutionary message, but the drug war is over and Keith Moon won.
2. “Taxman,” by The Beatles
The Review calls this “a George Harrison masterpiece,” and it is musically impressive. What the author fails to note is that the Beatles name-dropped conservative Prime Minister Edward Heath in addition to liberal Harold Wilson. Oh and imagine there’s no heaven, but you knew that already and it applies to the #7 song on the list, “Revolution,” as well…
Alright call me lazy but that’s only two and it’s too late in the evening to keep processing a list that claims conservatism from U2, the Sex Pistols, and for Christ-in-a-bucket’s sake The Clash. (If Joe Strummer saw this he would never stop throwing up.)
Some of the list just sucks as music. Der Kommissar? Godzilla? Creed and Kid Rock?
Sorry for all the horrible music posted above. Here’s the full list if you get motivated to chew through it. Or alternately, here’s Senator Bruce Springsteen performing Atlantic City to clear your system.
