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Can’t a song be a song? Or does it have to have ideology?
by John Romano
Bruce Springsteen and I both released albums this week. Mine is “London Paris” by The Sugarmen and Bruce’s is “Working on a Dream.” You’d be hard pressed to think of two more starkly different approaches to recording. Bruce has admitted that his hatred of President Bush inspired his latest CD. “London Paris” was inspired by traveling with the band between two major European cities. That’s right. You guessed it. Prague and Cologne.
In my opinion, what worked about rock in the 60’s and 70’s was that the music really was asking questions of society. There was a clear difference between those in power and the musicians who rebelled against the norm. Some of it was show for sure, but who can argue with the power and emotion of “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye?
I’m neither naïve nor arrogant enough to think that music can do anything close to that today. Music is again about the simple pleasure of digging cool sounds and lyrics.
Watching Bruce at Obama rallies, nervously strumming his guitar and pontificating about the “lost America” of his youth, you couldn’t help but think about him heading back to his mansion afterward. What is he really screaming about?
And then contrast that with the band and I gladly driving 13 hours on the wrong side of the road in the rain to get to a gig in London after playing one night in Scotland. Very odd. Wouldn’t logic dictate that the musician in the smelly van should be the one railing against the system?
I’ll continue to make the best records I can and tour with the band. However, I’ll always leave direct political opinions out of my music. I’ve learned enough living in Hollywood as an artist and a conservative that politics is like curry powder: add a drop and the whole dish tastes like one thing and loses all subtlety.
Originally Posted at bighollywood.breitbart.com