17: Musical Manifestations of Multifarious Yokels (Favorite Songs About America)

Tomorrow is the fourth of July, American Independence Day. If you're like me and don't drink alcohol or light fireworks, it is just yet another day to watch Independence Day, The Patriot, Natural Born Killers, and all the other classics of American film. You know, bald eagle shit that makes you wanna rev up the dualie and head down to the quarry.

I studied American history a great deal in college and there's no denying the American Revolution and "our" independence is worthy of celebrating. I'm just not sure what we have to celebrate in the last thirty-seven years outside of me being born and this blog. And that goes doubly for tomorrow, as I'd be hard pressed to find a single thing America as a geographical entity has had going for it in 2020.

One (supposed) trait of Americans is our resilience, typically in reference to some problem we created ourselves through stupidity. It seems like a big piece of that resiliency in modern America is just surviving a normal day here. It used to be we had to fight world wars to build character; now we just have to find the patience to deal with other Americans. 

Regardless of the current fog over our country, I'm still grateful to be an American. It beats most alternatives, we have a great variety of television programming, and the land itself is stunningly gorgeous and varied. I was lucky to be dragged all over this great country by my parents and although I was mostly miserable, I have fantastic visual memories from 25+ states. 

It is with those great visuals in mind, and a special thank you to my wonderful parents, that I present my favorite songs about America. Highly recommended as a playlist for your social distancing fourth of July party; sitting alone in the basement with a huge bowl of Corn Pops getting frustrated at YouTube comments.

Sun Kil Moon - Carry Me, Ohio (2003)

Sun Kil Moon (truly terrible name IMO) is the solo project of Mark Kozelek, and a continuation of his band Red House Painters. Mark's songs are typically airy and melancholy with a sad, rural obsession with nature and death. I think this is his prettiest song and a great achievement in melding literal, descriptive lyrics with cryptic references to more metaphysical topics. I'm quite positive this is the only song that references the Tuscarawas River, and probably the nicest thing associated with Ohio as of 2003. 

Circle Jerks - Beverly Hills (1980)

For a genre famous for juvenilism and silliness, early punk rock sure had irony nailed. The juxtaposition of a grimy, fed up punk set against the backdrop of sparkling and wealthy Beverly Hills makes for a powerful image. Incredibly, Circle Jerks managed to say everything there was to say about this juxtaposition in just over a minute. "Beverly Hills" is a snarling glance from one side of the tracks to the other, a consistent and inescapable theme in all the outsider arts of America. It encapsulates the variety of culture in California beautifully and gets bonus points for having one of my favorite punk rock outros of all time, as if the band says, "Sure, we could keep playing, but you don't deserve it."

Sufjan Stevens - Chicago (2005)

Like most Sufjan Stevens songs, I have no idea what this song is actually about. But it is definitely a song about America and alternatively a love letter or eulogy for a journey, road trip or emotional. Any song with references to driving in America is going to resonate with me, and "Chicago" is both a beautiful song and a complete tale of an American dream. The searching, finding, and loss all play out as expected and, when the song is over, you feel as though you've shared at least part of the trip. 

The Menzingers - America (You're Freaking Me Out) (2019)

You have my word: this is the only song you will ever need about Trump Era America. The Menzingers deliver a uniquely literate approach to modern punk rock, and with all Trump things considered, there was no room for metaphors in this message to America: "Ain't it a shame what we choose to ignore: What kind of monsters did our parents vote for?" You can almost infer from this song that music and art in general may be the only power some have to be heard in this country. If the songs are this catchy they may even have a chance. 

John Denver - Country Roads (1971)

covered here by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes (1996)

In 1996, when I first heard this absolutely ripping punk cover of John Denver's "Country Roads", I had only heard of John Denver because he was a frequent target of scorn on The Simpsons. I loved this song so much I played it for my mom and dad and asked them, "If his songs are this good why does everyone make fun of him?" Eventually it all made sense, as did their amusement over this cover's unhinged energy, in stark contrast to John's "mountain stream on quaaludes" approach to music. Regardless of your musical preference, the song itself is one of the most stirring and vivid odes to America we have. What I love most about it is that it focuses on and cultivates a sense of gratitude and communion with nature itself, as opposed to a relationship of utility.

Bruce Springsteen - Streets of Philadelphia (1994)

I could have chosen almost any Springsteen song for this list. I chose this because, first, I love the movie and of course the two are inseparable. In addition, I think this song does a better job of painting a picture of life in America than a lot his more triumphant and celebratory songs about America. You can almost see the city streets passing by and the figures in the shadows as the song woefully pounds the pavement. The fact that this isn't the kind of song you'd typically throw on at a 4th of July BBQ is kind of the point. Here at the Fading Light of Youth, we believe in at least one depressive meditation per party just to shake things up. Hard times are here and misery loves company. 

Young Buck - Died and Came Back (2003)

Young Buck was barely 20 years old when he recorded this song and it unfortunately marked the height of his social awareness. "Died and Came Back" is a fantastic exploration of being poor and black in America. It matches a catchy beat and confident delivery with some seriously mature and difficult questions about that life. "There's no way I can hide it, you see the pain in my eyes. I ain't thinking about college, too busy trying to stay alive." Damn, OK, so this is not going to be "Born in the USA". Buck continues, "Politicians is bullshitting and really Bill Clinton is the closest we getting to ever having a black president." OK, so he was a little off there, but still a great line during the second Bush Era. Rap music is likely the most common connection to the African American experience the average white person from Green Bay has outside of seeing a Packer at the mall. I have a very special place in my heart for this song, dark but never hopeless. 

Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks (2010)

In a hilarious throwback to the pre-internet days of actually talking to people, this song was recommended to me by a coworker who knew I was working on a list of the 100 Catchiest Songs of All Time. We had bonded over an appreciation of Weezer's "Buddy Holly" and he told me about a song called "Pumped Up Kicks" that he expected would eventually find a spot on the list. Not only is the song catchy as hell, it is uniquely bouncy and exhausted at the same time. The school shooting narrative is as American as school shootings, as is the conscious decision to spin the tragedy with the prettiest thread to distract from all the blood. This song succeeds on every level and is an absolute must in the time capsule of American culture. 

John (Cougar) Mellencamp - Jack and Diane (1982)

When a piece of art can transcend the prejudices of someone as jaded and snobby as me you know it is something special. "Jack and Diane" is cheesy, formulaic, silly, and dated - and I still think is a great song in general and a transcendent song about America. The opening chords alone immediately imply a giant American flag being unveiled across a football field. The pleasantly thumping bass line undoubtedly had a role in many, many 80s kids being conceived. There is nothing forced in this song, and even when the song makes you cringe, you cringe in red, white, and blue. I also give Mr. Johnny Cougar a ton of credit for one of my favorite lines of American melancholy, "Life goes on long after the thrill of living is gone." The fact that he snuck that line into a triumphant, bordering on propagandizing hymn for American life makes me like the song even more, and that line alone gives it a comfortable place here in the fading light. 

NOFX - The Death of John Smith (1992)

In a brilliant flash of style harnessed only by the most august bloggers, I've saved the best for last. I've waxed poetically about NOFX's ability to write lyrics that immediately transport you into the mind of another, typically twisted person. It is almost a shame that the band peaked so early in this regard with "The Death of John Smith", a truly incisive take on life and death in America that is also an absolute classic of pop-punk. I love this song so much, it is my blog, and we may have some readers who don't want to listen to Fat Mike, so to conclude our 4th of July round up, I present the complete lyrics to "The Death of John Smith"

I've got respect from the community.

I've got my bridge game to look forward to.

I've got this chance, a golden opportunity, as long as I keep doing what I'm supposed to do.

You see my wife and kids, they depend on me to provide them with nothing but the best.

I feel it's my duty, my obligation to live up to the standards society suggests.

So I'll keep on working for their benefit.

I'll keep on drinking.

I'll keep on believing in my life.

Another day of slaving and smiling, buying and trading.

Living the life of a wealthy man, but somehow I don't feel so rich inside.

But that doesn't make sense...

I just had this little vacation...

As soon as I get this operation taken care of, I'll start enjoying the good things in life.

So I'll keep on working for the benefits.

I'll keep on drinking.

I'll keep on believing in my life.

When the pity spins your mind, and darkness fills your heart, I won't be around.

When you're feeling all alone, then you'll know it's time to go into the ground.

I've got my family, friends and associates to stand by me as the threshold comes near.

Within their faces I see grave concern; I ask myself if their thoughts are sincere.

After all these years of being complacent what do I get?

Tenderness, affection, a true sense of love?

No! 

Just a pain through a body chock full of regret.

I'll keep on believing my life still has value, and I'll keep on laughing.

Why can't I stop laughing?

I can't stop the laughing.

*******

As always, thank you for reading some or all of this. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with your family and pets :)