Since Trump’s election, reading and music are two necessary activities that take my mind off of Trump and these dark times. Reading is covered very well here on DKos by many fine diarists. So instead here are seven music videos of some of my favorite songs, some of much may also have a political theme (which may not have been intended when the song was written).
First off is Talking Heads’ “Road to Nowhere”. Talking Heads is one of favorite groups, and this one with its zydeco-style accordion as well as its very appropriate lyrics for these times under Trump is one of my fun favorites from the always inventive Talking Heads.
Next up is The Decemberists and their song “Down By the Water”. This video is from a live appearance on Austin City Limits. Any rock song that includes “anon” in its lyrics as well having an accordion is definitely cool. And this song is very cool.
Now is the KONGOS well known anthem, “Come With Me Now” which also includes...wait for it...an accordion. (Which seems to be a theme with these first three songs.) I heard this song a lot over the stadium loudspeakers when attending a few Duke lacrosse games while visiting my daughter in Durham, NC in the spring. So when I hear this song I also think of lacrosse. Weird, I know, but it’s a good song with a great rhythm. “Whoa, Come with me now ... I’m gonna take you down.”
Now is U2’s version of Bob Dylan’s song “All Along the Watchtower”. Jimi Hendrix’s version is probably the best-known, deservedly so, but I wanted a different version. I really wanted to find Bob Dylan himself performing in the spare style he played on his 1968 album “John Wesley Harding”, but couldn’t find a suitable video. So this version by U2 is also very good rendition of this beautiful powerful song written by our own Nobel Laureate in Literature.
Next up is “What’s Up With That” by my favorite Little Old Band From Texas (and Houston no less) ZZ Top. This is down and dirty Texas blues. Plus the lyrics just seem to go with these times. I love ZZ Top and I love the blues.
And now for what to my mind is one of the greatest rock songs ever written: The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter”. This is a wonderful live version with the absolutely incredible, breath-taking, and amazing Lisa Fischer. And of course the lyrics and tone just go with these dark times. And every time I hear this song with the line “Mad bull lost his way” I picture in my mind’s eye Picasso’s “Guernica”—somehow “Gimme Shelter” and “Guernica” just seem to go together for me.
And finally The Who’s classic “Eminence Front” which is such a prescient description of Donald Trump. “Eminence front ... It’s a put on … Bullshit bullshit...” and “Come and join our party.” Plus Beto is also a Who fan. That’s all for now folks. Hope you enjoyed the tunes and a little breather from these difficult times.