Blogcritics: Comments on "To Washington" Mellencamp's anti-Bush song

Comment by phil lane

Wed, 4 Feb 2004 00:44:08 EST

Mellencamp is obviously unconcerned with the literary lyrical content of this song, which is clearly issue-oriented. In the grand tradition of Dylan, Ginsberg (and even Blake), the subject matter supercedes the artistry of the lyric. Certainely, it may not be a "well-written" song, it is topical, and serves its purpose as such. Mellencamp is making a political point here, not writing some epic poem. No matter your political leaning, he is acting on his own personal opinion of the state of things. That is why this is an effective song, and one that works.

Comment by Mac Diva

Sun, 25 Jan 2004 18:45:22 EST

On only two listens, I found the song worthy of downloading. I may blog about it. I think the lyrics include some important criticism, the influence of Christian fundamentalism on Shrub and the real reasons for the invasion of Iraq. Is Mellencamp (I keep wanting to use the discarded 'Cougar') accurate about the election? Well, no. For one thing, a decision was made - by the Supreme Court. But, the guy is a singer, not a historian. Tom wants to know why we aren't waiting for a better protest song. It may be because, considering the removal from all reality of many successful entertainers, we may not get one.

Comment by Protest song lyrics

Sun, 25 Jan 2004 18:17:31 EST

I have added a link to a page you may find handy, the Protest song lyrics page of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty.

Comment by Carol

Tue, 4 Nov 2003 12:16:33 EST

It may not be great music, and it doesn't go far enough in criticizing the current debacle, but at least he made the effort. The problem in Florida was that the SAME votes were recounted and the votes that should have counted were ignored. Clinton left a huge surplus, and yet the right wing insists it is HIS recession? He didn't plunge us into huge deficits or start a pre-emptive war and force our grandchildren to pay for it. Clinton was brought up for impeachment for lying about his sex life. What is the penalty for lying to the Congress and the American people about the war? Not enough Mellencamps are serving as our troubadours.

Comment by tony

Mon, 7 Apr 2003 05:19:32 EDT

The tune for this song comes directly from a Woody Guthrie song named Lindbergh, about Charles Lindbergh's support of Nazi Germany. Each verse ended with "To Washington." This Mellencamp song is actually quite a kick if you're a fan of the Guthrie song as I am.

Comment by James Russell

Thu, 3 Apr 2003 03:43:02 EST

I'm actually with Al on this one (surprised?). As far as recent war-themed songs go, this is one of the better ones.

Comment by Al Barger

Thu, 3 Apr 2003 01:03:07 EST

Mellencamp had something solid and meaningful to say- it's just not in the lyrics. I'm judging it primarily as a song. It's a solid piece of songwriting. Generally, the lyrics of a song are not the most important part. If that was what I wanted, I'd be reading books of printed poetry. The MELODY that carries the lyrics is the central part of a pop song, not the words themselves. I tend not to expect that much out of the words to a pop song. If they turn out to be any good, I'll consider it gravy. Now, you're absolutely correct about the nothingness of the political analysis informing the words. I'm particularly unimpressed with the nonsense about no one counting the votes. Yeah, yeah. However, the song ie the TUNE is nice, and the arrangement is good. Even the words are fairly decently sculpted stylistically, as to communicating the quiet disaffection of the narrator and such. Songs are music, and they have unique emotional resonances from other art forms. They are not generally good ways to make rational political arguments. If I want to study politics, I'm going to look for a book, not a CD from John Mellencamp or even Merle Haggard. If you want a good catchy country-folk song, though, this one's pretty fair.

Comment by Tom Johnson

Thu, 3 Apr 2003 00:24:42 EST

No offense intended, Al, but these are really awful lyrics. How come all of the protest songs have such terrible lyrics? Where are our modern day Dylans? Everything we hear out of these songs are cliches and half-assed, confused politics. Whether he meant it or not (and I really hope he didn't), by saying that we had 8 years of prosperity and "peace" and then a scandal, that everyone suddenly decided we had to vote someone else in. It just sounds stupid when it's obvious that Clinton had his two terms. It's not like we had a choice - he wasn't going to be re-elected no matter what. And of course, the election. "No one kept count"? Ahem, I think many people kept count over and over again, and everytime the count came up in favor of Bush (unless you follow the people who threw away the voting laws, of course.) And of course, Mellencamp blames the economy on Bush when any financial analyst will tell you that our woes began with Clinton and have simply played out while Bush was in office. Ah, crap, this song's so childish . . . there's so many weak arguments. He has the right to make protest songs, but I wish he'd (and anyone else would) waive it until he had something solid and meaningful to say.