So after I wrote my piece on my suggestion that Bruce Springsteen’s “This Hard Land” was the song that best symbolized where America is at today, I actually got a call from ’em – they liked my submission, and interviewed me for the show.
It ran last night at 9PM – and it was a fascinating listen throughout. The MPR people did – and I mean no offense by this – a more balanced job than I expected. And the production job of getting my ten minute interview cut and pasted to slot into gaps in the song itself? From one radio production geek to another, well done.
Here’s the whole thing. I’m early in the second half of the show.
I’m around 34:30 into it, although the whole thing is worth a listen.
“Springsteen Republican is not something you really think about.” (paraph.)
Well, when most of us got into Springsteen, he wasn’t a partisan.
Great job Mitch. This is what I mean when I say Springsteen is a conservative. He understands that the world is imperfect (hard), and that despite our efforts, it always will be, and that gives meaning to life. And you’re right, he knows that we will stand or fall on our individual efforts, or efforts combined with those with whom we choose to freely associate.
Dan Foster at NRO recently wrote about Springsteen. I didn’t think it was very well written (odd for Foster, a pretty good writer), but at least hinted at these themes.
Good job throwing a wrench into NPR. I’m sure that more than one head exploded (figuratively!) after hearing that.
So now I need to answer the question myself. I’m going to limit myself to newer music, because otherwise I would spend all day at this, and write a comment boring to everyone but myself. So, for my answer I chose this.
The song, “Walt Grace’s Submarine Test, January 1967,” by John Mayer. First off, for those who think of John Mayer as the serial Lothario only, I strongly recommend that you listen to more of his music. I do like much of what they play on the radio, but he’s got some really good stuff. But yeah, he gets a lot of tail.
This song is about a guy, unsatisfied with his life, buries himself (figuratively!) in his basement, and builds a submarine. Metaphorical or not, it is about confronitng your dissatisfaction, doing what you dream of despite what others may say (his wife told his kids he was crazy. His friends said he’d fail if he tried… He works hard at it, he’s got a will to work hard and a library card and builds a homemade, fan blade one man submarine ride. And then the crazy so and so pedals off across the ocean.
The song is purposefully ambiguous about whether he makes it. His wife accepted the news she never expected, the operator connected the cal from Tokyo. Tokyo? When I first heard the song, it was important to me that Walt make it. Now, I think that is more of a guaranty than we can expect from life. In this song, the individual rises, stands up and says I can do it. And that is what matters, in this life and the next: cuz when you’re done with this world, the next is up to you.
That is why his friends toast him.
And his friends bring him up when they’re drinking
at the bar with his name on the side
And they smile when they can, as they speak of the man
who took a homemade, fan blade, one man submarine ride.
PJ,
I think it was comment of yours that spawned an upcoming article – or maybe series? – on the conservative themes in Bruce’s music. I’m saving it for after the election; by November 7, I’m so burned out from writing about politics, I need a couple months of music and history to recharge my batteries. This will be a big one.
As to the wrench into MPR: I was actually surprised and mildly pleased at the assortment of opinions and worldviews they covered. Plenty of Dems, of course, but Republicans, libertarians, some undecideds. The song after mine dedicated “Wish You Were Here” to Ronald Reagan. Kinda cool.
Mitch: I walked away from Springsteen when he started campaigning for John Kerry. I no longer can listen to his songs, with two exceptions: “The Price You Pay” and “This Hard Land”. It’s a mystery to me how he can write songs expressing essentially conservative values and then go shill for Kerry, Obama, etc. You did a great job articulating the thoughts floating around in my head when I listen to those two songs.
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