It hasn't so far gotten the attention of other war related songs, but Clint Black has a new pro-military song available for free download from his website. So far, I'd say this rates as probably the best of the current war related songs, pro or con.
I typically have very low patience for modern commercial country music [post 1980 or so]. Of many thousands of albums in my collection, NONE of them are by Clint Black. Indeed, I couldn't right of the top off my head name a single other Clint Black song. Now, I know that he's one of the biggest country stars of his generation, so I must have heard a bunch of his songs. None of them has made a significant impression on me.
However, I'll give him this one. It's not particularly innovative or groundbreaking, but it is fairly catchy. It does have at least a somewhat memorable melody. It does have a decent melodic hook (under the line "I rock. I rack-em-up, and I roll").
It also sports a decent groove. It plays out a blues groove, paced deliberately for maximum understated menace. The general arrangement is better thought out than typical modern country. The bass line even jumps out at me a few places. All in all, I'm liking it better with each listen.
As to the lyrics, they're pretty good. Beyond the fact that I will tend to agree with the political point, they are well above average in their execution. For starters, they are on message. Contrast them to, say, the Beastie Boys crappy excuse for an anti-war song. The lyrics are just generic scattershot liberal crap about Bush doing coke and taking corporate contributions. Yeah, yeah.
Besides being more focused, Black's lyric has more unique personality. "I'M BACK AND I'M A HIGH TECH GI JOE I'VE GOT INFRARED, I'VE GOT GPS AND I'VE GOT THAT GOOD OLD FASHIONED LEAD" Nice lyrical details, and a bit of wit.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - san
"I RAQ AND ROLL" Oh, I get it: this is a joke. Whew, for a minute I thought you were serious. Almost got me, you wily trickster you.
2 - the Rev Nick
BOO-freakin-YAH!
3 - san
Politics aside, this song is just bad. The lyrics are humiliating. They make Aqua look like Bob Dylan. Can I get a witness?
4 - Al Barger
"Humiliating"? To whom, in exactly what way? That's rather an odd choice of words for this situation. Do you presume to feel humiliated on behalf of anybody who says something you disagree with?
You're a liberal and you don't support the war effort. Fine. That doesn't make the SONG bad. I'm trying to in fact judge the song and the execution of the lyric separate from agreeing or disagreeing with the political sentiment involved.
Again, it's a pretty good song, though obviously lyrically [or musically] not up to Bob Dylan's finest. However, I would go so far as to say that Black's lyric and song is better than almost anything I've heard out of Dylan in about 20 years- though that is not a particularly high standard. [The last great Dylan album would be Infidels, particularly the classic song and lyric of "Neighborhood Bully".]
5 - san
Al,
"I ROCK, I RACK'EM UP AND I ROLL
I'M BACK AND I'M A HIGH TECH GI JOE
I'VE GOT INFRARED, I'VE GOT GPS AND I'VE GOT THAT GOOD OLD FASHIONED LEAD"
Apolitically, judging the song and the execution of the lyrics, it's a bad song. It's really, really bad. It is humiliating for Clint Black. And, yeah, the lyrics are so bad, I'm humiliated on his behalf.
6 - Rob
I don't like pop-country, but this song is OK. It will surely piss off those who think America should not defend itself, and should sit in abject contrition for the sins of its past.
7 - Rob
I don't like pop-country, but this song is OK. It will surely piss off those who think America should not defend itself, and should sit in abject contrition for the sins of its past.
8 - san
I never said sit in abject contrition. I said don't repeat the cycle. We can pick governments like Elizabeth Taylor can pick husbands. We'll run Iraq for awhile, turn it over to an ostensibly pro-American Iraqi regime, wait ten years, they'll go stark raving mad. Just like Saddam, the Taliban, Noriega, et al. Why don't we give real self-rule a shot instead of playing the devil's matchmaker?
9 - Nigel Richardson
Poor guy can now expect a barrage of abuse from all those who have criticised the Dixie Chicks, Sheryl Crow, The Beastie Boys, George Michael and other celebrities and entertainers for bringing politics into music, right? Because it would be the height of hypocrisy to attack artists on the left for using their music as a platform while applauding those on the right, right? Right?
10 - Eric Olsen
I believe the criticism has focused on WHAT they said rather than the fact that they said SOMETHING; and on the latter point, the criticism has been on the undue influence that celebrities have, wholly apart from what they say.
11 - Al Barger
Now Nigel, methinks you are being, how we say, disingenuous? Nobody has criticized the Beasties for writing an anti-war song. I criticized them for putting out such a poorly written and produced song, but that's not moral outrage, merely art criticism.
If Sheryl Crow or the Dixie Chicks actually wrote a song expressing their views, I'd be open to hearing it. I've never been impressed with any of their work previously, but maybe their political passions would inspire them to good work.
George Michael got some grief mostly over his music video rather than the song itself. In this video he was presenting Tony Blair as Bush's poodle dog, literally. Now I don't mind this so bad as some other people's crap largely because it was presented as a work of art. Making music and video is what he does.
Nonetheless, he did not make very worthy art in this case. He reduced these serious matters of life and death to mere cheap gay camp. I won't particularly call that a moral outrage, but it sure doesn't rate much serious consideration as a political statement.
Whereas Sheryl Crow and the Dixie Chicks had absolutely nothing serious to say, and wouldn't be bothered to make the effort of writing even a half-assed song. They just wanted us to know that, like the Churchlady, they're just a little bit superior.
So, to all the major celebrities hanging on our every Blogcritic word: if you want to make political statements (of any kind) your best bet is to do it through your art. Write a song, or a book. Make a movie. [I'm a BIG fan of Time Robbins Bob Roberts].
Or at least put some thought into what you're doing. Agree or disagree with his conclusions, Bono knows something about Third World debt issues. He's done his homework.
Or you can just lunge for the nearest microphone to let us know how cool you are because you're for peace- and face the WRATH OF AL!
12 - Nigel Richardson
Disingenious, moi?
13 - Greg Hagin
Bob Roberts was a brilliantly funny movie, and I must disclaim that most comedy is so subjective as to render criticism pointless.
On a similar slant you have to check out Christopher Guests new movie "A Mighty Wind"
multi media link here:
http://amightywindonline.warnerbros.com/index.php
This man OWNS ensemble satire (is that really a genre?)
14 - Al Barger
Apolitically, judging the song and the execution of the lyrics, it's a bad song. It's really, really bad. It is humiliating for Clint Black. And, yeah, the lyrics are so bad, I'm humiliated on his behalf.
Sanford, your petty dishonesty wearies me. Those lyrics are at least fair to middling at worst. There is nothing objectively wrong with the construction of those words. They fall well within the bounds of competent commercial pop songcraft. You are not even attempting to judge them without regard to the political content. What exactly makes them "really, really bad"? There is no reason other than disagreement with the political sentiment why you would take such a negative view. You're just goddam lying if you claim differently.
No, you don't get to be humiliated on Clint Black's behalf. For starters, he's done nothing here even vaguely embarassing, let alone humiliating.
Further, you have no empathy for Black whatsoever. You may feel some embarassment over something foolish your son or buddy has done because you feel for them. However, you do not feel embarassment for someone that you don't know and have no sympathy for. For example, I won't claim some fake feelings of empathetic embarassment for Michael Moore's stupid little Oscar jerk-off, but merely contempt.
Your "humiliation" ploy essentially amounts to trying to get away with two different unearned tricks. One, you want to say that Black should know that know that he is humilated, so you will make that call on his behalf. Two, you want to presume with no evidence or argument that you are smarter and superior to Mr. Black.
The only backing you have for any of this at all is simply that Black supports the war in Iraq. You presume with no rational argument that anyone supporting the war is either venal or stupid, and that you are more enlightened and more moral. You are simply objectively wrong.
There are a lot of complicated issues involved in calculating the decision to go to war, and how to wage it. I hate having to support action that I know will kill even one innocent person, even calculating in how many others (including Americans) this action will save. This is serious business that calls for clear, honest adult thinking.
I don't WANT to think that all liberals or all people who don't support the war effort are childish, wilfully stupid fools whose opinions are not worthy of consideration. You're not making it easy, though.
15 - san
Al, you pompous ass. You call me a liar, childish and a willfully stupid fool all in the same comment, yet I've seen nothing like a reasoned argument in any post or comment you've made to Blogcritics. You are a jingo, Al, and a lemming.
For the record, during the Vietnam War era, The Spokesmen's song "Dawn of Correction" was a witty, smart turn about on Barry McGuire's popular antiwar song "Eve of Destruction." Clint Black's "I Raq and Roll" is just a poorly written, pandering piece of garbage.
16 - Ken Halsted
Yeah Clint!!! I'm glad to hear one of the best Artists EVER lend his voice and talent to what's going on. I like the part "If everyone would go for peace, there'd be no need for war". How true, but as you and anyone with any amount of wisdom know, there will always be those who are obsessed with killing, power and world domination. When they stick their heads up, it's time to pop 'em. If you allow evil to abound, much more innocent lives will be lost through modern day terrorism.
Clint Black is indeed, THE MAN. Oh and Hayden did a good job too. Didn't want to leave him out.
Remember: Freedom will be maintained the way it was obtained, by fighting for it!!
I leave you with one last quote by Samuel Adams, signer of the declaration of independence:
"If you love wealth (or the economy) more than liberty, the tranquility (peacefulness) of servitude (putting up with Saddam, Osama, Terrorists) better than the ANIMATING CONTEST OF FREEDOM (the continual fight for freedom), depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you (go on and live your life in fear of terrorism). May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."
17 - san
Hey, thanks for the handy translation. Or was that just putting words in Samuel Adams mouth?
18 - Brian Flemming
Wow.
You're right, Al. I noticed this post kinda late, but now that I've read those lyrics...wow.
What a powerful case for the war. So powerful, in fact, that I have changed my mind about the Iraq adventure. I realize now that the U.S. tried really really hard to find a peaceful solution but, well, our hands were tied. We had no other choice. None.
Thus, I have changed the name of my blog from "L.A. War Blog" to "Jingo Jangle Jingo."
I've added the sub-head, "Because we have the coolest weapons, that means we are right," because that is most definitely Clint Black's strongest argument.
Boy, what a great, thoughtful, just truly right song. My realization of my total wrongness started with this lyric:
"YOU CAN WAVE YOUR SIGNS IN PROTEST
AGAINST AMERICA TAKING STANDS
THE STANDS AMERICA'S TAKEN
ARE THE REASON THAT YOU CAN"
Ah, yes, I see. If we don't go after Saddam Hussein, he is sure to come over here and take away the First Ammendment. It might not happen in two days, it might not happen in two years, it might not happen in two decades or two centuries--but it's going to happen.
Well, nobody but nobody takes away my First Ammendment. I wish I had a grenade and some of those cool infrared goggles right now. I'd shoot just about anybody, I'm so hopping mad.
"IF EVERYONE WOULD GO FOR PEACE
THERE'D BE NO NEED FOR WAR
BUT WE CAN'T IGNORE THE DEVIL
HE'LL KEEP COMING BACK FOR MORE"
These are probably the wisest words any poet has ever written. Of course we have to kill the devil. I don't know why I didn't see that. And the devil is wherever we find him. Think of all the places you could find the devil--Iran, Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, China, Russia, Germany, France, New York, Los Angeles, the Democratic Party. The devil is everywhere. Can't ignore him. Even if he's right here at home. Devil, devil, devil. Such a useful word. And so sensible.
"WE HAVE THE RESOLUTION
THAT SHOULD PUT'EM ALL TO SHAME
BUT IT'S A DIFFERENT KIND OF DEADLINE
WHEN I'M CALLED IN THE GAME"
Damn straight. Those namby-pamby devil worshippers at the so-called United Nations (of Satan) kept trying to strengthen those inspections. They were talking about making them more effective than they ever had been. Couldn't let that happen. It was starting to make way too much sense. So call Clint in the game. Boo-freakin'-yah times ten. Different kind of "deadline" indeed (chuckle chuckle).
Reminds me of when President Bush said in his State of the Union address that some of the terrorists had been captured while others "...met a different fate. Let's put it this way -- they are no longer a problem to the United States and our friends and allies. (Applause.)"
That is probably one of the most statesman-like statements that has ever been uttered by a President. Yay, extra-judicial killings! Kill kill kill! Such wit! Such appropriate humor!
These liberals just don't get it: We're right because we kill the best. How can they not see this? If we weren't right, how could we kill so well?
"IT MIGHT BE A SMART BOMB
THEY FIND STUPID PEOPLE TOO
AND IF YOU STAND WITH THE LIKES OF SADDAM
ONE JUST MIIGHT FIND YOU"
I LOVE this one. I like the implication in there about just how far this really open-ended new policy goes. If you stand with "the likes of Saddam." Ah, yes. Very flexible, that phrase. Naturally, I feel that includes people like Zack de la Rocha and other U.S.-hating liberals like Robert Byrd. If they're not standing with our troops, they're standing with Saddam. Maybe not a smart bomb for Byrd (too expensive), but obviously a "bomb" of some kind is in order. Let me put it this way...after I take care of Byrd, he'll no longer be a problem for the United States or our allies.
"NOW YOU CAN COME ALONG
OR YOU CAN STAY BEHIND
OR YOU CAN GET OUT OF THE WAY
BUT OUR TROOPS TAKE OUT THE GARBAGE
FOR THE GOOD OLD U.S.A."
That's right, Clint. Lock and load, dude. We'll take out this Iraqi garbage, and then there's a LOT of other garbage I have in mind. There's a lot of garbage, everywhere you look. All we need is to get America to see the garbage and call it what it is. And songs like this are going to help.
Boo-yah,
Brian "Kill The Devil" Flemming
19 - clair
Yippe kiy yeeeeh mutha fu$ker!
20 - claire
Yippe kiy yeeeeh mutha fu$ker!