"Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose" is one of the few French phrases the average American might know. It translates to: the more things change, the more they stay the same. While it expresses a profound truth, it's not always true. Some things really do change profoundly, and not always for the better.
The following song, The Freedom Train, is a foremost example. It's almost inconceivable that a song with these lyrics could get mainstream airplay today. Then again, who knows? Maybe in a few years, if the Tea Party movement continues to grow, even this stellar work of Irving Berlin may see a Renaissance.
[Performed here by Peggy Lee, Johnny Mercer, Margaret Whiting, and — one of the most popular groups of the period — The Pied Pipers, all backed by the superb Paul Weston Orchestra. Available on the albums Peggy Lee, Lost '40s and '50s Capitol Masters and also The Pied Pipers compilation, Dreams From the Sunny Side of the Street.]
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Friday, July 16, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Dusty Springfield: The Look of Love
There are a few examples of the perfect marriage of song and performer. This is one of the best.
Dedicated to Vibeke.
Dedicated to Vibeke.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Ruminations on Independence
Well, Obama and his minions have decided post-Summit to pursue their plans to beat the health care sector the way the oil companies got it for years. Only worse. It reminded me of a song I love.
I'm the least hip person I know. That I wrote "least hip" instead of "unhippest" should alone give you a clue. Here are others: Just as with films, I rarely consume any music produced after 1965. I grew up listening mostly to classical. (Though, being raised in a near-musicless blue collar home, I was aware of pop and hard rock and indulged from time to time). Now, it's almost 100% Big Band and '50s Swing.
Still, once in a while I venture out. Today I listened to Martina McBride's "Independence Day."
The lyrics have nothing to do with anything you'll find featured on the Sean Hannity show. In the accompanying video an abused wife and mother finally decides to declare her own independence — and in a way I personally find very satisfying. (Though, I wished she'd left the house before torching it.)
Even absent that link, the song strikes a chord with those who understand there's much more to advocating liberty than talking about political philosophy. And, considering the tenacious lust to control that D.C. exhibits these days, it's getting dangerously close to deserving the match. These guys better learn soon to curb their irrational impulses or they're gonna find a lot of very pissed-off battered spouses on their front lawns. What comes next won't be pretty.
Anyway, if you're in the mood to declare your independence, you might want a rousing theme song to go with it. Here's Martina McBride's video, followed by a duet of the same tune, performed in concert with the legendary Pat Benatar.
I'm the least hip person I know. That I wrote "least hip" instead of "unhippest" should alone give you a clue. Here are others: Just as with films, I rarely consume any music produced after 1965. I grew up listening mostly to classical. (Though, being raised in a near-musicless blue collar home, I was aware of pop and hard rock and indulged from time to time). Now, it's almost 100% Big Band and '50s Swing.
Still, once in a while I venture out. Today I listened to Martina McBride's "Independence Day."
The lyrics have nothing to do with anything you'll find featured on the Sean Hannity show. In the accompanying video an abused wife and mother finally decides to declare her own independence — and in a way I personally find very satisfying. (Though, I wished she'd left the house before torching it.)
Even absent that link, the song strikes a chord with those who understand there's much more to advocating liberty than talking about political philosophy. And, considering the tenacious lust to control that D.C. exhibits these days, it's getting dangerously close to deserving the match. These guys better learn soon to curb their irrational impulses or they're gonna find a lot of very pissed-off battered spouses on their front lawns. What comes next won't be pretty.
Anyway, if you're in the mood to declare your independence, you might want a rousing theme song to go with it. Here's Martina McBride's video, followed by a duet of the same tune, performed in concert with the legendary Pat Benatar.
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