Gen Xers know we had some great music, from pop to punk to hair bands and early hip-hop, but it is amazing the staying power some of these had. They were weirdly, well, prophetic.
There were some songs like “Biko” and “Free Nelson Mandela” that were very much written for the current events of the time, but others seem have looked ahead about 30 years.
I realize many of these artists were ranting and raving against the “evil” Reagan-era yuppie-scum greed…and blah blah blah..but they hardly knew they were writing for today. If you listen to some of the gems we tuned into, they might hit a little different.
“Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits
Dire Straits didn’t just comment on the “Look at Me” world of MTV era insta-fame. They seemed to predict the world of no-talent rise-to-the-top social media influencers who make bank collecting eyeballs and likes while the rest of us poor schmos have to actually work for a living. After seeing photos of the pretentious Hunger Games style 2023 Grammy attendees, it is even more powerful.
“See the little faggot with the earring and the make-up
Yeah buddy that’s his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he’s a millionaire.”
Except now, we’re not allowed to make fun of the attention-getting excess. We might be branded with some unseemly name.
“Radio Radio” by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Okay, I’m cheating here a little, because this song was written in the mid 70s, and the big controversy where Costello wasn’t supposed to sing it on Saturday Night Live…but did anyway..was in 1977. It was a criticism of the highly censored and commercialized radio. You can’t sing or talk about THAT! Remember, boys and girls, follow the narrative. Naturally, they tried to cancel him, before anyone knew what that was. Yet, he remained a huge musical influence for us 80s kids.
“They say you better listen to the voice of reason
But they don’t give you any choice ’cause they think that it’s treason
So you had better do as you are told
You better listen to the radio”.
Hmmm.
“99 Red Balloons” by NENA
It was always a blast for us derpy American kids to try to mimic the punky German lyrics of the cool Cold War anti-nukes anthem “99 Luftballons” by NENA, but the English language counter part is pretty bleak.
“Floating in the summer sky
Panic bells, it’s red alert
There’s something here from somewhere else
The war machine springs to life
Opens up one eager eye
Focusing it on the sky”
If only we were as focused today, we could have shot down that one “white balloon” going by before it finished it’s journey across the nation.
“Panic” by The Smiths
I’m ending with this one, because it was the target of the early “cancel culture” crowd who tried to brand these boys as racists for lyrics like “burn down the disco.” It isn’t.The song was a commentary on how trivial and mindless pop music was getting, and become a favorite of us pre-alternative and emo clubbers.
Today, pop music is all spreading the same message…if any..and any pop star who takes a different opinion from the boring, over played “stunning and brave” virtue signaling gets professionally slaughtered.
The voice of The Smiths, Morrissey, by no means a conservative, is still being slaughtered by the “cancel mob” for criticizing the forced diversity in modern entertainment, as not being “diversity” at all, but “conformity.” He also said the music industry pretty much creates these artists and stars to have total control over what they can say or do. Don’t think for yourself….or else.
“Hang the blessed DJ”…and the messenger.
Viva Morrissey.
Are you panicked yet?