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Post by con on Aug 8, 2021 23:44:13 GMT -5
I do agree with you… I don’t think he ever intended to try to make a bold statement on social commentary… although you could make a clear case for Androgynous… and maybe the trying too hard We’ll Inherit the Earth. The songs I referenced above are products of a time period— a snap shot of live in working class 80s middle America. He may never have intended to be an agent of social change….but by God, these songs still speak to those who “ don’t belong”… Think this encapsulates it—bravo. If there is a political dimension to Paul’s work, perhaps it’s in his genius for communicating something largely ineffable and deeply human that occasionally overlaps with the issues of the day. I don’t know. Paul is a poet and a magician.
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Post by FreeRider on Aug 9, 2021 10:18:53 GMT -5
I'd also say he's an artist that can achieve that high goal of articulating for us all these feelings and thoughts we have but can't quite put into words or express ourselves.
Paul has said before he's felt that politics doesn't belong in rock music. I dunno if his stance has changed over time but he's certainly not overt or preachy about anything. Like any artist, he puts the work out there and lets the fans decide what it means.
He did say once that he was disappointed when he read what Townshend said what the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" really was about. So maybe artists shouldn't tell the fans exactly what the song is about?
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Post by FreeRider on Aug 9, 2021 10:24:01 GMT -5
[quote author=" rich1" source="/post/138417/thread" timestamp="1628478992" Didn't he say that it was a throwaway song? That the label felt like there should be some sort of anthem thing? So this was Paul's attempt at trying to have an anthem and "message", but he didn't really feel it.... Although with climate change and extreme global weather stuff already here, I dunno...the song may take on a greater significance than Paul could've imagined! Especially with the dire reports coming out lately.
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Post by anarkissed on Aug 9, 2021 15:43:45 GMT -5
I think some of you are thinking that in order for a song, or a joke, or a comment, or a painting, or an attitude to have a political dimension to it, it has to be specific, like: "Here's what I think the International Monetary Fund's position on pork belly futures should be"...It's usually a lot more subtle than that. And the artist's "intent" is relatively beside the point when we're talking about how people react...
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Post by FreeRider on Aug 9, 2021 21:27:46 GMT -5
pretty funny---we kind have covered some of this same ground in this thread: paulwesterberg.proboards.com/thread/8963/raised-rage-cityAnd if we're covering the same old ground, well, it's time for Paul to save us from re-hashing stuff we've forgotten we went over already! Give us some new music, Paul! Please!
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Post by anarkissed on Aug 10, 2021 6:17:20 GMT -5
Heh...We said the same things, only better...
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Jer
Beagle Scout
Posts: 1,182
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Post by Jer on Aug 10, 2021 7:01:53 GMT -5
I think some of you are thinking that in order for a song, or a joke, or a comment, or a painting, or an attitude to have a political dimension to it, it has to be specific, like: "Here's what I think the International Monetary Fund's position on pork belly futures should be"...It's usually a lot more subtle than that. And the artist's "intent" is relatively beside the point when we're talking about how people react...
I'm all for listener interpretation, and sure, if you dig deep enough, you can apply a political angle to anything, but I think in a lot of these cases it's a real stretch. Trying to determine his intent and removing some of the more vague references, and IMO most listed fall under that umbrella, we'll narrow the field significantly.
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Post by anarkissed on Aug 10, 2021 11:08:19 GMT -5
The song "I Got You Babe" is about how the dynamics of an interpersonal relationship can overcome the inherent challenges of cohabitation by economically deprived partners in a free market capitalist system.
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Post by curmudgeonman on Aug 10, 2021 14:34:17 GMT -5
If there is a political dimension to Paul’s work, perhaps it’s in his genius for communicating something largely ineffable and deeply human that occasionally overlaps with the issues of the day. I don’t know. Paul is a poet and a magician. I agree. Same with Dylan. Both never intended to be a Voice of Their Generation; both labeled this and both slapped it down, hard. Pay attention at 2:20 in Also Dylan's reaction to a "social commentary" question:
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Post by anarkissed on Aug 11, 2021 6:20:09 GMT -5
George Washington never wanted to be the Father of His Country. Joan of Arc never wanted to be a Saint. Fonzie never wanted to be the focal point of "Happy Days"...
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Post by FreeRider on Aug 11, 2021 8:20:36 GMT -5
I like these pearls of wisdom:
I know it's only rock and roll but I like it
Don't think, feel... Bruce Lee
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Post by dee on Aug 11, 2021 17:11:46 GMT -5
Maybe the fear or dread of being a working stiff for life was the backdrop of it all. Almost like a Cool Hand Luke thing.
Johnny Rotten screaming "No future". The Buzzcocks "I Don't Know What To Do With My Life".
It seemed he was chronicling the band members lives,which made it relatable.
Their discography perhaps the autobiographical Odyssey of(and for)malcontents & outsiders.
Robert Christgau called Westerberg's depiction of teen angst unparalleled in music.
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Post by con on Aug 11, 2021 20:37:32 GMT -5
The song "I Got You Babe" is about how the dynamics of an interpersonal relationship can overcome the inherent challenges of cohabitation by economically deprived partners in a free market capitalist system. Lol perfect
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