Let It All Out!

A Music Lyric RANT About Our Politics

I'm done processing the election. Our brothers and sisters cast their votes, and we remain a country divided. The other side won. (There was no voting scandal this time—only when they lost.) Or did they? History will be the final judge. 

The following was a song conversation I had with myself as I shook off my fever dream of a truly united country. Fragments of song lyrics flooded my brain. Many of my peers were paralyzed and stunned by the outcome. I was not. Through it all, I remained optimistic. I believe in the irrefutable law of the universe—Karma never forgets an address. 

In violent times, you shouldn't have to sell your soul in black and white. They really, really ought to know. Those one-track minds that took you for a working boy kiss them goodbye. You shouldn't have to jump for joy. Shout, shout, let it all out. These are the things I can do without! (Shout)

Our voices will be heard. We can still stand for our beliefs in this land of the free. The disenfranchised, downtrodden, and discriminated Americans still have a voice.

This land is your land, and this land is my land—from California to the New York island, from the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters. This land was made for you and me! (This Land is Your Land)

In this land of the brave, we don't need the haters abusing the innocent. And heavy-handed mandates by a police state will never be tolerated.

There's something happening here. But what it is ain't exactly clear. There's a man with a gun over there. Telling me, I got to beware. It's time we stop. Hey, what's that sound? Everybody look, what's going down? (For What It's Worth)

Perhaps our adversaries had a hand in sowing the seeds of our divisiveness? Will we let them dictate our reality? Is their interference in our democracy real or imagined? Or is it just the pendulum of freedom swinging from one side to the other?

Put away that gun, and this part is simple. Try to recognize what is in your mind. God help us, help us lose our minds. These slippery people help us understand. (Slippery People)

Retribution for minor grievances will not unite us, never serve our more significant needs, and will not end the cycle of chaos. 

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Vote for me, and I'll set you free. Rap on, brother, rap on! (Ball of Confusion)

We need our "leaders" to transcend to truly succeed. We don't want them looking to get even with their critics. Even those we dislike must transcend the moment and rise above the din. We need the self-proclaimed righteous to be righteous.

You say you'll change the constitution. Well, you know, we all want to change your head. You tell me it's the institution. Well, you know. You'd better free your mind instead. (Revolution)

Do you want to change? Do you have the capacity to change your perception of reality? Engage your spiritual side; engage your understanding of the energy around you. Meditate, pray, and visualize a better tomorrow.

There's nothing in the street. Looks any different to me. And the slogans are effaced, by-the-bye. And the parting on the left is now parting on the right. And the beards have all grown longer overnight. (Won't Get Fooled Again)

Our country was built on the backs of slaves after it was stolen from the indigenous tribes of this bountiful land. That is incontestable. Yet, many dislike that truth or prefer to compartmentalize it to a place where it will no longer be shared in our schools.

But you who philosophize, disgrace, and criticize all fears. Take the rag away from your face; now ain't the time for your tears. (The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll)

Praying to your prophets for salvation while rejecting your neighbors who follow a different prophet or belief system is not the American way—not what our nation's founders envisioned. The Constitution does not mention God, Jesus Christ, or Christianity. It contains the word "religion" only twice.

Well, it's got to be a chocolate Jesus. Makes me feel good inside. Got to be a chocolate Jesus. Keep me satisfied. (Chocolate Jesus)

Faith is deeply personal. Belief systems may vary, but there are many paths to the mountain top, to enlightenment. And some may not reach it in this lifetime. (Perhaps they will in the next.)

So now, as I'm leavin', I'm weary as hell. The confusion I'm feelin' ain't no tongue can tell. The words fill my head, and they fall to the floor that if God's on our side, he'll stop the next war. (With God On Our Side)

My God won. Death to your God. Wait, I thought God was on my side. Who will die for my sins? Is my struggle that simple? Is it a choice to struggle? Or is it the institutions that favor some over others? Dear God…

…don't know if you noticed, but your name is on a lot of quotes in this book. And us crazy humans wrote it, you should take a look. And all the people that you made in your own image still believing that junk is true. Well, I know it ain't so, and you know. (Dear God)

We have the greatest country in the world, yet we have widened the gap in class/money/freedom. That disparity of wealth has caused much of our divisiveness. It's easy to point our fingers at the opposition and blame them. But who is to blame when we have no one left? Our leaders? The uber-wealthy? Mega-gigantic corporations? Immigrants seeking a better life?

Where's that bee, and where's that honey? Where's my God, and where's my money? Unreal values, crass distortion. Unwed mothers need abortion. Kind of brings to mind ol' young King Tut. (He did it now), Tried to make it real, compared to what?! (Compared to What)

Is serving others such a burden? Is sharing such an albatross? What does charity mean to you? Who will take care of the poor? Generational wealth, most often, gets passed down. But, it rarely "trickles down" to those less fortunate, and certainly not in abundance. 

I did my best, it wasn't much. I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch. I've told the truth; I didn't come to fool you. And even though it all went wrong, I'll stand before the Lord of Song with nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah. (Hallelujah)

The struggle is real, perhaps for you or your neighbor. If so, how will it affect you, and what will be the cause and effect in your life? Perhaps it is easier to look away. Close the door, lock the latch, and turn off the lights. Have a good life.

Mother, mother, there's too many of you crying. Brother, brother, brother, there's far too many of you dying. You know we've got to find a way to bring some lovin' here today, yeah. (What’s Going On)

In the end, we walk this road all alone. We are just putting in our time and just trying to survive. Is our race a privilege, a burden, or salvation? All of our blood bleeds in the same color.

But I'm near the end, and I just ain't got the time. And I'm wasted, and I can't find my way home. (Can't Find My Way Home)

What does it mean when our time on this mortal coil is so brief? Do you choose to bathe in the light or embrace the darkness? Will you hold the line for your sacred beliefs until the very end? Or, in the end, will it simply not matter? Will you be remembered as someone who wanted to elevate those around you? Or those who preferred to live isolated and afraid. 

Find the cost of freedom buried in the ground. Mother Earth will swallow you, lay your body down. (Find the Cost of Freedom)

Call me idealistic, but I believe love will illuminate our future and unite us—all in love together. But perhaps I'm in the delusional minority today. Maybe it's all just fantasy.

The force of evil plans to make you its possession. And it will if we let it destroy everybody. We all must take precautionary measures. If love and peace you treasure, then you'll hear me when I say love's in need of love today. Don't delay. Send yours in right away. Hate's goin' 'round breaking many hearts. Stop it, please, before it's gone too far, gone too far. (Love’s In Need of Love)

Fuck it! Sometimes, you're left with no choice but to fight back. You can still hold love and compassion in your heart, but you may need to fight even harder for your beliefs. The truth should never be inconvenient. In the end, that truth will serve us all.

The people have the power—the power to dream, to rule, to wrestle the world from fools. It's decreed the people rule. It's decreed the people rule. (People Have The Power)

We do have the power, and we don't need to depend on our politicians. We just need to wake up! We need to take control of our own lives and shake off the stupor we've been forced into. 

The world won't get no better if we just let it be, woah. The world won't get no better. We gotta change it, yeah, just you and me. (Wake Up Everybody)

The time is now.

Cuz a change is going to come.

Here’s the 20-song Spotify and iTunes playlists of the songs referenced above.