John Mellencamp and The Jena 6
The mayor of Jena, La. is unhappy with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee John Mellencamp for his song about the so-called Jena 6.
That’s right; John Mellencamp has already written a song about the Jena 6. I suppose this is better than Daily Kos The Musical or An Evening of Showtunes: The Life and Music of Arianna Huffington, but by how much?
This is so staggeringly wrong, bad, and annoying. He’s barely allowed the event to happen before he’s tried capitalizing on it in song – and yes, the use of the word capitalizing is intentional. I am questioning his motives. Even if his motives aren’t purely commercial, he’s trying to gain relevance which by extension brings him more attention and marketshare. This is a blatant “look at me” moment. This isn’t going to help him shake that “Springsteen wannabe” label nor will it sell Chevy trucks.
I wish someone would have gotten a hold of him before he did this. Am I the only one who finds the irony a little too thick when sensitive, white artists lecture us – ahem, sing – about racial tolerance and understanding? At least Paul McCartney got Stevie Wonder to sit next to him when they did “Ebony & Ivory.” Mellencamp’s ass is twisting alone.
Political and social activism are essential tools of the contemporary artist. The combination has been around for years but is now increasingly unavoidable. Even Nickelback and Matchbox 20 have tried getting in on the act with socially conscious songs and videos, and neither Rob Thomas nor Chad Kroeger are considered among the deep thinkers of their generation.
You don’t mind this if you are of the liberal persuasion and you’ve either stopped listening to music, found a way to compartmentalize [translation: "they're not talking about Republicans, they're talking about pink bunnies"] or filter [translation: listen to country music] if you’re a conservative. There’s nothing inherently wrong with embedding personal politics into songs unless it’s done badly. Political music isn’t my problem; bad political music is and we’re getting too much of it.
In order to keep up with the bluster and speed of the times, artists have to be even quicker on the draw. Our perspective is fucked because we won’t wait 10 minutes to start writing the songs. Artists release their protest songs on their web sites because the labels certainly can’t keep up and it would be tragic if their protest song came out after the war is already over. Four or five kids might not fully understand that “war isn’t cool” if Nickelback doesn’t get there in time. The humanity!
If this continues, I’m going to have to congratulate Mellencamp for having the restraint to at least wait for the episode to be past tense. I’ll bet you fuckin’ Bon Jovi is sitting at home writing songs thinking, “We use this one if Hillary wins in ‘08, this one’s for Obama. Maybe we’ll get invited to the inauguration! We’ll use this one if one of the Republicans win, not that it really matters which. Huffington and 60 Minutes will love it. How’s my hair?”
How many songwriting teams are working on songs to benefit the victims of the next hurricane or other natural disaster? You think I’m kidding? I guaran-damn-tee this shit is happening because of the greed and ego of some of today’s artists.
Mick Jagger, when asked about the inevitable glut of 9/11-themed songs destined for the airwaves, said “We’re gonna get some terrible lyrics, though. People who don’t have lyrical talent should stay away from that subject. It’s not easy. That’s not a no-brainer. Stick to moon-in-June for most people - that’s my advice. You’re going to need real language and real thoughts, not just pasted-on patriotism.”
Discussing vital issues of day and bigger themes takes more than a guitar and some hurt feelings. Far be it from me to defend the record companies, but the buffering they’ve historically provided may not be such a bad thing after all.
Filed under: Fanboy Manifesto
you need to take the lemon outa yer mouth.
It’s funny this came up - just now I’m reviewing a collection of American disaster songs and murder ballads from the early 20th century, some of which were written IMMEDIATELY after the events they’re about (train crashes, crimes, floods, the Titanic, etc.) And a LOT of them tack on simplistic morals - “be one with Jesus or you’re in big trouble if you die in a train crash,” e.g. This helps puts Mellencamp’s song in context - whether or not you think the song is stupid or in poor taste or a rush to judgment, which it might be, it is part of a tradition that goes way, way, way back.
I love that Mick Jagger quote. He’s so right. Most people should stick to moon-in-June. Mellencamp’s not most people, though - whatever you might think of this particular song.
I haven’t heard Mellencamp’s song, so I can’t really say if he demonstrated the necessary lyrical talent to pull it off. But Neil Young wrote, recorded and demanded the record company release “Ohio” a mere couple of weeks after the Kent State shootings. It turned out to be one of the best written, poignant protest songs of all time.
That said, Jena 6 doesn’t strike me to be the historically tragic event on par with Kent State, so yes, it does raise suspicions of opportunism. Ah well, his last album was still damned good.
John Mellencamp, you are one stupid asshole. I will never listen to any of your songs ever again. You have only written about 2 decent songs in 40 years anyway (Small Town & Hurts So Good). You are obviously trying to cash in on “black sympathy.” Well, blacks never liked you’re style of music before, so you will probably only end up with minimal gains anyhow. It’s puzzling how some strummer like you, who only knows about 5 chords, ever made it in the first place. I know approximately 400 chords, and can sing much better than you too. If anyone ever plays your music, I will ask them politely to change it once. If they persist, I will throw their fucking stereo out the window!
@JohnSutter
“You are obviously trying to cash in on “black sympathy.†Well, blacks never liked you’re style of music before, so you will probably only end up with minimal gains anyhow.”
I dont really know where to start with this. You think people only do things when there’s something in it for them? that’s the only reason you can think for him recording this song. Maybe you should look up the word altruism in a dictionary.
I’m not saying that John Mellencamp is being altruistic - I don’t know for sure, but the fact you can’t even consider that option says more about you than it does about him.
“it’s puzzling how some strummer like you, who only knows about 5 chords, ever made it in the first place. I know approximately 400 chords, and can sing much better than you too.”
I’ve forgotten who said it but there’s a quote about all you need is 3 chords and the truth that applies here, you could do with losing 397 of those chords you know and making room for a little bit of enlightenment
Jon, I’m glad you commented on this. I guess I erroneously considered this a new phenomenon. I’m still not sure we’re not getting worse about it in our hyperspeed culture, but it’s good to have that additional perspective.
That Jagger quote is one of my favorites and I laugh about it every time I think of “Sweet Neo Con” from A Bigger Bang.
I guess I don’t think Mellencamp is capable of saying anything particularly interesting on this topic and it comes across as crass and pandering and it happens too often in popular music. I’m not anti-Mellencamp. He’s a capable guy who has written some good songs, but I think this is a little too much of a reach for him.
“Moon in June,” indeed.