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Conservative Politics & Rock Music

The National Review has published a list of the 50 all time top conservative rock 'n' roll songs. #1 is The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again". Other artist on the list include Beatles, Stones, U2, Rush, Aerosmith, Creed, Metallica, Beach Boys, Dylan and the Kinks.

Here's a link to the list.

I'm not familiar with every song on the list, but I do have a few observations. I find it incredible that only a single non-white artist made the list. A number of the songs have a very cynical bent ("Revolution", "Sympathy For the Devil", "Won't Get Fooled Again", etc.). Is cynicism a purely conservative trait? "Wouldn't It Be Nice" - I always thought it was a spoof of the Ossie & Harriet lifestyle. "I Fought the Law" - the fact that the law won doesn't make this song politically conservative. It's the verbal equivalent of a Born To Lose tattoo. It's giving the system the finger. Also, there are a number of songs that are about abortion, but only one is by a woman. Maybe the slogan should be changed to "Sex, Drugs, Rock 'n' Roll & Birth Control".

Rock music encompasses a vast number of musical styles and it only stands to reason that it would also include a wide spectrum of political beliefs. Rather than actually debating politics per se, I'm interested in responses to particularly songs being on the list and whether you see them a political or apolitical.
128x128onhwy61
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
James Brown might be in the R&R Hall of Fame, but his nickname is "The Godfather of Soul".

Talk about politics...... James Brown is one of the greatest music artists ever; but was the primary motivation to put him in the R&R Hall of Fame because he was great at rock music; or was it primarily for public relations and political purposes??

We can all name a white soul singer now ... Taylor Hicks.
He also sings R&R songs...

Not many non-latino latin singers either.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61 OP
5,152 posts
 
Now that I've been defined as a racist, thank you Maril555 (and please, stay nauseated), let me also try to qualify as a sexist for pointing out the paucity of women on the list. I'm writing an angry letter to the Affirmative Action Office at the National Review.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
These are also the folks that called the Beatles and others "long haired communist hippie drug anarchists" or something like that.

Actually, it was "long-haired commie pinko fags". I speak from experience being an ex-lhcpf.

And I agree, the National Review just does not "get it".
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Boa, it's funny you mention "You Can't Be Too Strong". It was the first thought I had, too.

Also, Billy Joel's "Angry Young Man".
jimburger
104 posts
 
I agree that the National Review just "doesn't get it." "Won't Get Fooled Again" is the anthem of the most anarchistic rock and roll group that ever lived! It is NOT a conservative anthem. Pete punctuated many a performance by his auto destruction routine and attitude. WGFA may be cynical about the "revolution" but you can bet there is no love for the current establishment. WGFA is not about a celebration of conservatism or the establishment. It is an angry and frustrated statement about the despair you suffer if you try to overthrow it. Pete expressed it much better in "My Generation". "Why don't you all fade away!" and of course "Hope I die before I get old" which you could probably substitute a less poetic "Hope I die before I get conservative." The Who and the vast majority of their work is all about "sticking it to the man."
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