Bright Eyes – When the President Talks to God
This morning I was sipping my morning cup of joe and glancing at the news, when I noticed an article about today being the fifth year anniversary of the war in Iraq.
Now, this isn’t a political site, it’s about music, so that’s where my mind drifted anyways.
I got to thinking about the last five years and all of the music that has been inspired by Bush and Iraq.
90’s bands like Pearl Jam (“World Wide Suicide”), Foo Fighters (Gas Chamber”) and Green Day (the American Idiot album) have all been outspoken about current events.
While legends like Neil Young (Living With War),Bruce Springsteen (“Devils and Dust”) and Patti Smith (“Without Chains”) have enjoyed success in their criticism.
And newer acts are joining in too, like Kimya Dawson (“Anthrax”), Pink (“Dear Mr. President”) and Devendra Banhart (“Heard Somebody Say”).
However, one song seems to top them all.
“When the President Talks to God” is perhaps one of the greatest protest songs ever written. It defiantly belongs up there with influential tracks from Dylan, Lennon, Billy Bragg and Phil Ochs.
Conor Oberst released the searing track back in 2005 as a free track on iTunes and has since gone on to be released as a 7″ vinyl single. The track also appears on the Body of War soundtrack.
The song features just Conor playing a simple, folksy guitar with lyrics that cut through the current administration. He proves the cliche “the pen is mightier than the sword” is correct.
Here’s his performance on The Tonight Show.
2 Comments
Interesting take on a poor situation. I guess the music of the world has always been evolving thanks to bad political situations. Hmmm, does this mean I have to like Bush? Anyhow, for some reason I can’t stop listening to I Got ID – seriously it’s on right now for like the 40th time in the last day. Of course that made me think of this blog, so I figured I’d stop by, and say happy Easter.
Now why would you go and do a silly thing like liking W.?
I Got ID is a great song, actually one of my favorites from PJ. In Jan. I pretty much listened to it a couple of times everyday. But that’s impressive that you listened to it that much, the band tends to have that effect on people.
Anyways, have a happy Easter as well.