The Rolling Stones, not exactly a band at the forefront of rock 'n' roll activism, are taking aim at the American right with a new song on their upcoming album, according to Newsweek magazine.This is so cool. As the last paragraph points out, the Stones are not completely apolitical, as some might think. And don't worry, Keith, you don't really live in the US - you live in New York City.
The track, "Sweet Neo Con," boasts the line, "You call yourself a Christian, I call you a hypocrite/You call yourself a patriot, well I think you're full of shit," according to the weekly newsmagazine.
"It is direct," singer Mick Jagger was quoted as saying, adding that his collaborator, Keith Richards, was "a bit worried" about a backlash because the guitarist lives in the United States and Jagger does not.
In an interview to be broadcast Wednesday on syndicated TV show Extra, Jagger said the song was not aimed at anyone specifically, such as President Bush.
"It certainly is very critical of certain policies of the administration, but so what! Lots of people are critical," Jagger said, according to an advance transcript.
"Sweet Neo Con" is one of 16 tracks featured on the Stones' new album, "A Bigger Bang," which comes out in the United States on Sept. 6, and a day earlier internationally. It was not featured on a 12-track advance CD circulated to critics. The group's publicist was traveling and not able to confirm the quoted lyrics or provide the complete lyrics.
The band is currently rehearsing in Toronto ahead of a world tour that begins on Aug. 21 in Boston. It will play a club show Wednesday for 1,000 fans at Toronto's Phoenix Concert Theatre. Tickets were priced at just C$10 ($8.26), a far cry from the tour's $478 top price.
In their 43-year career, the Stones have observed political developments in songs like 1968's "Street Fighting Man," but have generally avoided taking sides. Notable exceptions included the 1983 single "Undercover (of the Night)," about civil rights abuse in Latin America, and 1991's Gulf War-related track "Highwire."
8.11.2005
sweet neo con
From Reuters:
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21 comments:
The really cool thing about them rehearsing here (and it's just a half a block from where I live) is that they are treated respectfully by the locals. Canadians seem to have a sense of personal boundaries that allow them to enjoy such stars without invading their space. I couldn't see a high profile band being able to reherse even in L.A. with the low level of relaxed security that is surrounding the Stones now (4 regular rent-a-cop types). There tends to be a small crowd of up to 15 people waiting outside the venue at strategic times, but they are always relaxed and not pushing but just hopeful. I do find the understated and courteous nature of Canadian culture refreshing.
Hey, that's cool, thanks Pearl.
That's also very similar to NYC. One reason many famous people like living in New York is that respectful distance. New Yorkers don't gawk at celebrities, don't ask for autographs, don't approach them in restaurants.
There's an unspoken code that says, sneak a peek, make sure it's them, murmur to your dining companion, hey, that's Pete Townshend over there, or, is that Spike Lee? (two people we've seen in restaurants), and continue with your meal.
The really cool thing about them rehearsing here is that they are treated respectfully by the locals.
I think they've said right out that that's why they rehearse here.
At their tour-kick-off concert/press conference at Lincoln Center in May, a reporter made a joke about the Stones rehearsing in Canada. I can't remember exactly what the reporter said, but Jagger answered quite seriously, "We love Canada, we love Toronto, we'd never do anything like that." :-)
Sex Drugs & Rock & Roll
& Politcs?
Some people listen to music to forget some of the heave stuff in there world
Head down on a wensday dreaming of the weekend with a rippen driving tune like satifaction in there head.
Jagger(most of the time) has always writen for them.
He more than anybody knows the (Born The USA) story.
Its a slippery slop.
It's not just for illegal combatants anymore.....
Apparently, a foriegn citizen in a U.S. airport has no rights unless their intended destination is the U.S.
Hey Dave, I'm a massive Stones fan, have rearranged my life a dozen or so times to see them, and name Exile on Main Street as The Greatest Album Of All Time.
So I'm not taking exception to their politics or lack thereof. I just think it's cool when they step out of that mode.
I just think it's cool when they step out of that mode.
I think it signals of the end.
To be honest I think its cool to, but
im not sure if it will fly.
I think it signals of the end.
The end of what? The Stones?
I think they're past the point of caring whether or not something flies. Their concerts will sell out as long as they have the energy to tour.
Nice italics, by the way. :-)
Yes the end of the stones.
I want to here the hole tune before I take any bets ,but as powerfull as Jagger is.. we all get or gigs from Clear Channel & Claer Cannel is US goverment controlled. They are the third party pramoters They book every gig the stones play.
This is the first time jagger has ever really gambeld with rep & his money & let me tell you some inside info...
Jagger never f*cks with the money.
From the things I have seen in the past 5 years anything could happen.
The end of the stones would be as easy as pie for clear channel.
Trust me when I tell you that the stones now this more than anybody.
The End is Soon
Anyway they played for the blind in Oshawa & now there bitcing to the deaf in the US.Get a personal audiance with Bush & they will have the Dumb as well.
Nice italics, by the way. :-)
Oh Im Blgging Baby
If it's true, then all we can say is, they've had an amazing run, far longer and far better than we had any right to expect. Maybe Charlie can finally get some rest.
Maybe Charlie can finally get some rest.
LOL
It's always amusing when conservatives in the US get upset about political statements in popular music. One of the all-time stupidest ones I ever heard was back when Bruce Springsteen criticized US policy in Iraq. One prominent conservative (I can't remember who) said,
"I love Bruce's music, but I wish he'd stay away from political issues."
Now, I'm not a huge Springsteen fan, but it seems to me that if Bruce were to stay away frmo political issues, he wouldn't have much music left. ;)
Now, I'm not a huge Springsteen fan, but it seems to me that if Bruce were to stay away frmo political issues, he wouldn't have much music left. ;)
Well, I am a huge Springsteen fan, and I was saying the same thing. I kept saying, it's nothing new, Bruce has been political for a good 20 years or so. I didn't understand why everyone was acting like it was such a departure for him, it defintely was not.
I didn't understand why everyone was acting like it was such a departure for him,
We they were binded by light
LOL
sorry... just poped into my mind.
We they were binded by light
LOL
sorry... just poped into my mind.
I don't care what anybody says about official lyrics... when Manfred Mann sings that song, he says "douche". That's that. There, I said it and I'm glad. What a relief. :)
And speaking of being "blinded by the light", check out this recent article from the Guardian...
I don't care what anybody says about official lyrics... when Manfred Mann sings that song, he says "douche". That's that. There, I said it and I'm glad. What a relief. :)
And no way does he say "...another runner in the night." It's more like "rooner".
I don't care what anybody says about official lyrics... when Manfred Mann sings that song, he says "douche".
He totally does. We've all known it all along. It's time to get it out in the open.
But maybe we shouldn't get into the "curly-whirly" bit, huh? ;D
Turn me lose now Tony Danza
As were headed down the highway
LOL
you are all so cool
But maybe we shouldn't get into the "curly-whirly" bit, huh? ;D
Turn me lose now Tony Danza
LOL, this is all so funny!
I am off to one of our many goodbye dinners. All I do lately is drink wine and eat good food. Such a hard life I have.
Later, sweet people.
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