The 1st Ever Don Henley Get Over Yourself Award Goes To… Don Henley
It takes an alarming amount of arrogance, self-importance, ego, gall, and chutzpah to lecture your record buying public about crass consumerism when you force them to buy the new album from Wal-Mart or not at all.
I’ve wanted a “Get Over Yourself” award category for some time now and there are a lot of artists deserving of having their name so glossed, but Don fuckin’ Henley has pushed himself ahead of the pack.
The first Eagles’ album in 28 years is due for release exclusively from the controversial retail giant tomorrow (technically, the album can be purchased at Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, and the band’s web site), and apparently Henley has a lot to say on the state of the world and does so with all the subtlety of Tommy Lee in his most famous film role. Despite the band’s absence this is not his first bout as an activist. It is an appalling display of self-importance. Here’s just one line from the album:
“Weaving down the American highway/Through the litter and the wreckage and the cultural junk/Bloated with entitlement/Loaded on propaganda.”
That’s not a song lyric! That’s a line from a script of a MoveOn radio ad. Compare a line like that with most of Bruce Springsteen’s Magic album and it’s no comparison. Springsteen remembered the “song” in “protest song.” Springsteen used a timeless brush to paint his contemporary portrait. Don Henley and John Fogerty don’t even try to disguise their pontificating as an actual song. No melody is going to make that couplet go down easy.
I’m still going to buy the record, but I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Congratulations, Don Henley. You are the first recipient of the COAF Don Henley Get Over Yourself Award.
Filed under: Tags: Don Henley Get Over Yourself Award, The Eagles
I don’t think I can add anything to this.
ooh, poor baby..another liberal to annoy your conservative heart. tee hee!!
(see, we just had to disagree by the end of the day)
All right poo flinger, this has no bearing on my alleged political alliances. That’s not the kind of site I’m running here. It has everything to do with hypocrisy, narcissism, and unfettered foolishness. It also has to do with what I’m sure is a really bad song.
and so you’ve actually heard this song?
You’ve got to admit it is pretty stupid to make that kind of lyrical statement and then go “Buy our album at Walmart!”
I shouldn’t say too much, however. I side with The Dude when it comes to the Eagles.