They're Playing "Born In The USA" at the Democrat Party Convention

[¡Punk!]

Could it just, perhaps, be a dig at Republicans? I'm sure the Democrats would point out that you only get people in that sorta situation under a Republican government and using it to make a link between 'nam and 'raq.

[endless psych]

Originally Posted by LesMTS

Boy has charisma.

[LesMTS]

Originally Posted by ¡Punk!

Could it just, perhaps, be a dig at Republicans? I'm sure the Democrats would point out that you only get people in that sorta situation under a Republican government and using it to make a link between 'nam and 'raq.

That's a bit optimistic. It would be too subtle and a risk, they'd have to have faith in the majority understanding what the song's about.

[¡Punk!]

actually quite the opposite. assuming the majority don't know what the song is about they'll get caught up in the jingoistic fervour of the chorus and link being a proud american to barack (and a kenyan dad, muslim name and anti-american preacher have put that down a wee a bit) it's a winner. if they do understand the meaning of the song I'd assume they'd know it's history when it was used by Reagan and see it as a dig to the republicans. win/win.

[LesMTS]

Originally Posted by ¡Punk!

actually quite the opposite. assuming the majority don't know what the song is about they'll get caught up in the jingoistic fervour of the chorus and link being a proud american to barack (and a kenyan dad, muslim name and anti-american preacher have put that down a wee a bit) it's a winner. if they do understand the meaning of the song I'd assume they'd know it's history when it was used by Reagan and see it as a dig to the republicans. win/win.

But they're risking looking like they made a Reagan-esque gaffe to anyone who knows the song.

Man, it's right about now that I wish I hadn't stayed up for the speech.

[DoNotResus]

This article raises a couple good points about the use of the song

Analysis: 'Born in the USA' returns to politics

By TED ANTHONY, AP National Writer 1 hour, 16 minutes ago

DENVER - A generation after Ronald Reagan famously mistook Bruce Springsteen's music for uncritical patriotism, Democrats claimed "Born in the USA" on Thursday for the theme it was meant to project — to describe a splintered country they say desperately needs new policies and new dreams.


Delegates danced, cheered and waved flags Thursday night as Springsteen's arena-rock anthem brought the final evening of the Democratic National Convention to life. It was a significant moment — and a sign that, unlike in Reagan's 1984 campaign, the Democrats are exhibiting savvy about their use of music in political settings.

Though he never actually used the music in his campaign as widely believed, Reagan famously interpreted Springsteen's music as a "message of hope" for the nation. The song and album "Born in the USA" were popular at the time, and most assumed Reagan was referring to them. Springsteen, a Democrat, bristled at his art being invoked for causes he opposed.

But using "Born in the USA" in the finale of this year's convention — and letting the entire song play through while cameras pan the crowd — fits the goals of Barack Obama, whom Springsteen has endorsed.

"Born in the USA" tells of a man who was "born down in a dead man's town," got sent to fight in Vietnam and returned home to no job and few veterans' benefits. The song ends with little hope:

"Down in the shadow of the penitentiary

Out by the gas fires of the refinery

Ten years burnin' down the road

Nowhere to run, ain't got nowhere to go."

After eight years of the administration of George W. Bush, whose father was Reagan's vice president, Obama says major changes and an infusion of hope are needed to get America back on track.

His speech Thursday night hit some of those themes. It said America was locked in "one of those defining moments — a moment when our nation is at war, our economy is in turmoil and the American promise has been threatened once more."

While "Born in the USA" spoke of the effects of Vietnam, Obama's speech spoke of the effects of Iraq. While the song spoke of a man turned away from work at the town refinery, Obama bemoaned a government that he said "lets veterans sleep on our streets and families slide into poverty."

But while the song ends on a sour note, Obama's "everyday American" theme insists that a Democratic administration can restore the chances — and the future — of people like Springsteen's protagonist.

Whether that's the case or not, one thing is clear: In a political landscape where context is often in short supply, the Democrats' use of music Thursday night was right on the mark — a very rare event when songs and politics collide.

And, coupled with the use of Springsteen's song THe Rising as his entry music (Chorus goes "come on up for the rising" repeated, and again the song is a dark tale of a fireman climbing the trade centre and ultimately dieing masked behind uplifting music), perhaps they know what they were doing with the music. However, the fact Melissa Etheridge didn't sing the verses and only went for the chorus over and over and over and over again kills it abit.

[Prof]

Originally Posted by Hammer

Born in the USA is one of the most popular songs in the US.

Bruce Springsteen, by all accounts, finds it utterly perplexing and hysterical that most people in his country don't have a clue what it's about or what it means.

http://achewood.com/index.php?date=08042004

[Posh]

Originally Posted by Prof

http://achewood.com/index.php?date=08042004

Amazing.