Politico.com posted a piece today suggesting that Obama should pick up the Drive-by Trucker song, The Righteous Path as his new campaign song. I quote:
And for my money, the song that best captures the economic anxieties and aspirations voters are feeling now — and the song of the 2008 cycle — is “The Righteous Path” by the Drive-By Truckers. Take a look at the pitch-perfect opening lyrics:
I got a brand-new car that drinks a bunch of gas
I got a house in a neighborhood that’s fading fast…
I got a beautiful wife and three tow-headed kids
I got a couple of big secrets I’d kill to keep hid
I don’t know God but I fear his wrath
I’m trying to keep focused on the righteous pathIn just the first two lines, the song seems to anticipate $4 gasoline and the subprime housing crisis, even though it was recorded in 2007 and released on the album “Brighter Than Creation’s Dark,” this January. With accurate artistic forecasting like this, I’d trade these drunken country punks for a boatload of bickering economists.
The economic anxiety of a middle-aged, middle-class man is communicated through a relentless drumbeat and aching guitars that musically mainline a key demographic — the song is an aural glimpse into the psychology of swing voters.
It captures the punch-drunk desperation that kicks in when you feel focused-grouped half to death, or like you’re drowning in the 24-hour spin cycle. It’s also got the recklessness that comes from trying to distract yourself from unwelcome facts, and the cold panic of trying to keep your head up while watching your bank balance go down.
I got a couple of opinions that I hold dear
A whole lot of debt and a whole lot of fear…
I got a grill in the backyard and a case of beers
I got a boat that ain’t seen the water in years
More bills than money, I can do the math
I’m trying to keep focused on the righteous path.This is America — walking the line between Saturday night and Sunday morning, wanting to vote for hope but feeling the big fear. The song is the soundtrack to economic anxiety.
I’d not really thought about the song in that context but the author pretty much nails it.
DBT FTW!
Patterson/Cooley 2012! Let’s start the campaign now.
The Drive-By Truckers – The Righteous Path
5 Responses to “OBAMA ‘08 CAMPAIGN SONG: THE RIGHTEOUS PATH?”
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Will there be a write-in vote available for the “Drunk Country Punk” party? If so, you can count me in!
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I saw DBT in Ft. Lauderdale last Friday and during the encore, P. Hood said FIVE times, and I quote, “Please don’t elect that motherfucker to a third term!”
In an Obama Administration I see Cooley running the National Endowment for the Arts and Hood as Ambassador to, eh, Alabama!
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“Please don’t elect that motherfucker to a third term!”
Amen.
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At their show in Toronto in 2006 right after doing “Puttin’ People On the Moon,” Patterson said, “Be careful who you vote for up here. Don’t fuck up like we did down there.”
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A negative song full of whining and complaining, perfect for the American Left.