Monday, July 20, 2015
Incorrect: "Born In The USA", by Bruce Springsteen
Poor old Bruce. This has to be one of the most consistently misunderstood and misused songs in history. A blistering anti-Vietnam war screed and not the uber-patriotic anthem that many - including clueless presidential candidates - think it is.
It's also the perfect song to sing along to loudly, and without shame. That is until you get to the second verse, where Bruce bellows:
"Got in a little hometown jam, so they put a rifle in my hand / Sent me off to a foreign land, to go and kill the Yellow Man."
Oh dear. Unlike the 'n' word, the term 'yellow' has never been widely reclaimed by those it disparages. While Springsteen clearly did not intend to offend, it is nonetheless a jarring line and a glaring reminder that no matter how progressive our politics, we can't really escape the time in which we live.
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4 comments:
Are you going to post each of the apparently problematic songs separately?
I guess I understand the Boss, Elvis Costello and John Lennon - the N word is widely decried - but Crazy for You? Are you serious? We can't use the word 'crazy' now?
Insane!
Welcome to the sanitised world of the socialist left. The is no history but there history. No free speech but their free speech. Engage in group think before they turn against you.
One of the lines from the movie "Hair" will have to be re-dubbed:
"The draft is white people sending black people to make war on the yellow people to defend the land they stole from the red people!"
Yep, one of the most racist things I've ever seen or heard!
Sure is better then the anti-war crap like WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE? or the eco-poppycock BIG YELLOW TAXI
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