11
Zhdanovian Hackery Is Alive And Well
Doop de-doop, reading the Cornhole, havin’ some laffs. Huh, whasis?:
K Lo: I’m with you on “Imagine” — love the piano, hate the lyrics. A band called A Perfect Circle has a great cover version. The music is bleak and the vocals are subdued. It’s a much-needed deconstruction of the song. It’s like the anti-”Imagine.” I’m not sure the musicians intended it that way, but that’s the result, by my lights. Definitely worth a 99-cent download.
Tee Hee. This isn’t exactly new territory for Miller, but whatever. As soon as Miller reads anything about Maynard Keenan, he’ll hate him as much as he hates Maynard Keynes — or John Lennon. But, anyway, what brought this on? Oh:
Sharansky vs. John Lennon [Kathryn Jean Lopez]
Imagine a world without Bret Stephens writing. What a nightmare.
Oh Gawd. I bet this will be awful. Sure enough…
The Sajudis anniversary came to mind after a meeting in New York last week with Natan Sharansky, the former Soviet dissident turned Israeli politician turned political theorist. Mr. Sharansky has a new book, titled “Defending Identity.” It would be equally accurate to call it “The Case Against John Lennon.”
Or, more specifically, the case against “Imagine,” Lennon’s anthem to a world with “no countries . . . nothing to kill or die for/And no religion too.” For Mr. Sharansky, a nine-year resident of the Perm 35 prison camp, that’s a vision that smacks too much of the professed beliefs of the ex-Beatle’s near namesake, Vladimir Ilyich.
Stephens has constructed such a vortex of wingnut batshittery that Ann Althouse might die of envy and Stephen Hawking will be compelled to tweak his theories to account for it. Stephens, a Zhdanovian hack, attacks an artist of whose work the Wingnut Politburo has long disapproved (but many dissidents in the Soviet Union admired). All for the sake of — what? Not anti-communism, exactly (though that’s where he starts out) but tribalism/Identity Politics. Weird.
Stephens is channeling Norman Podhoretz — not only with the Zhdanovian hackery but also in the identity politics. Here’s Podhoretz in a particularly smelly footnote to his awful book, Ex-Friends:
It has always struck me as odd that so many of the dissidents in Czechoslovakia, all of whom were passionate anti-Communists, should have made heroes out of [Allen] Ginsberg and other icons of the counterculture, all of whom were equally passionate anti-anti-Communists. Thus, when on a visit of my own to Prague in 1988 I was taken to meet Vaclav Havel, then the most prominent of the dissidents (and later, of course, to become president of a free Czech Republic), the first thing that hit my eye upon entering his apartment was a huge poster of John Lennon hanging on the wall. Disconcerted, I tried to persuade Havel that the counterculture in the West was no friend of anti-Communists like himself, but I made even less of a “dent” on him than Ginsberg had made on me thirty years earlier.
Conversely, I always thought the Communist governments were stupid in failing to understand that cultural radicals like Ginsberg, who did everything in their power to undermine American resistance to Communism, were their de facto allies in the cold war. I mean, when Ginsberg ridiculed the cold war in a poem like “America” (”The Russia wants to eat us alive. The Russia’s power mad. She wants to take our cars from out of our garages” and so on), whose political purposes did Havel on the one side and Castro on the other think were being served?
Artists are either with us or against us — either explicitly, or in the Stalinist, “objectively” pro- or anti- sense. Small wonder Vasily Aksyonov, a real Soviet dissident, said that Zhdanovian hacks like Podhoretz reminded him of the cultural commissars he’d left the Soviet Union to escape.
But Communism’s dead, so what’s Stephens really on about? Ah, that would be the new Evil Empire, of course: a potentially united Europe in which all non-Muslim tribalism is muted. But I’m getting ahead of myself (and Stephens):
Mr. Sharansky’s argument is that man’s quest for identity – for the human and communal particulars that set him apart from others – cannot be separated from his quest for freedom – the universal set of values to which he and everyone else lay an equal claim. He argues that a freedom that “does not include the freedom to be significantly different” is no freedom at all. And he believes that while a politics that expresses itself purely through identity is bound to be tyrannical, a democracy that ignores its own identity – or attempts to suppress the various identities within it – betrays its deepest principles and puts its long-term survival at risk.
Hmm, that sounds pretty reasonable. There does need to be a balance between the personal and the public, between the particular and the universal — and getting that balance is tricky. Sounds like Sharansky is a decent multiculturalist, amirite? Eh..
Is this true? Woodrow Wilson championed the idea of “national self-determination,” as if it were a synonym for human liberty. Yet too many liberation movements have merely replaced the despotism of empires with whatever tinpot dictator – Yasser Arafat, Robert Mugabe – happened to assert the right to speak for “the people.” We’ve also learned that not all cultures are created equal; that identities that make a fetish of masculine “honor,” for instance, don’t lend themselves easily to the practices of a free society.
Ahh, the ol’ “tribalism/Identity Politics for me but not for thee” maneuver, also straight out of the Pod’s Playbook!
Incidentally, it’s rewarding to see a neoconman slag Woodrow Wilson. Gone are the days when they claimed (in order to dupe many Sensible Liberals) to be heirs of Wilsonian Idealism. Now that it’s obvious to all that the Iraq War was not a Wilsonian crusade to free the Iraqis so that they may choose their own destiny, but rather always an imperial scheme for either sock-puppet control (through Chalabi) or outright permanent occupation, wingnuts are free to dispense with the charade. It’s also rich to see a wingnut bashing other cultures that have issues with machomania; but then one can’t expect a wingnut to first look inward.
Mr. Sharansky knows all this, and insists that the claims of identity must, when there is no other option, yield to those of democracy. Case in point: Mormon polygamists at the Texas ranch.
But he also knows that the cause of freedom cannot easily be sustained without calling on a set of moral and communal resources that go beyond the needs of individual liberty. “All the people living for today,” as Lennon put it, means, of course, nobody living for tomorrow.
If there is one place where all the people are living for today, it is the European Union. The EU has deliberately set about trying to smother the identities of its 27 member states (including Lithuania) in a set of common laws, common regulations, common ethics, a common approach to problem solving, a common view of the rest of the world. It has sought to suppress the identities of its component parts in the name of a higher identity – Europe – which turns out to be no identity at all.
Uhhh..
No surprise, then, that Europe today increasingly finds itself troubled by a Muslim minority within its midst – now perhaps 50 million strong – that draws confidence and growing power from the sureness of its identity. Does Europe, like America, offer a higher identity to which this minority might adapt itself – even die for? It does not.
How clueless can Stephens be? You know, there are good historical reasons why Europeans might want to shy away from ethnic nationalism/tribalism/Identity Politics. On the other hand, why wouldn’t a “United States of Europe” offer its citizens a “higher” sense of identity? What would make their United States so different from ours?
Instead, it either pretends that no problem exists, or it attacks outward manifestations of identity, like Muslim headscarves, without making any real effort to integrate Muslims into a genuine European identity that means something more than the absence of identity. Meanwhile, frank discussions of the identity issue are pushed to the neo-fascistic fringe.
It needn’t be this way. Twenty years ago, millions of men and women understood that their freedom lay in their identity, and vice versa. Just Imagine what they may yet accomplish.
Yes, if the Euros would only “think with their blood,” everything would be so much better! Because then they’d breed more; and being less dhimmied, they’d really sock it to the Muslims who also think with their blood …except theirs is the wrong kind of blood, some identities being just intrinsically better than others:
“Jews came here 3,000 years ago and this is the cradle of Jewish civilization. Jews are the only people in history who kept their loyalty to their identity and their land throughout the 2,000 years of exile, and no doubt that they have the right to have their place among nations—not only historically but also geographically. As to the Palestinians, who are the descendants of those Arabs who migrated in the last 200 years, they have the right, if they want, to have their own state… but not at the expense of the state of Israel.”
Wingnuts are always exceptionalists.
bulbul said,
June 11, 2008 at 20:07
Frist!
Rick Massimo said,
June 11, 2008 at 20:09
“Vaclav, I know you’ve actually LIVED under Communism, but I’ve made a living telling people to kill, die and give up their freedom because of how horrible Communism is. Who are you going to trust? Me or your lying eyes and ears?”
Arky H8r of VurdPress said,
June 11, 2008 at 20:14
1. People who think your entertainment preferences must exactly match your ideals are The Biggest Dorks Evar. Podperson clearly missed out on the fact that the evil dirty Ruskies were no fans of Lennon or Ginsberg.
2. Many of my ancestors were in situ when funny looking pale people started showing up. The rest were here before the King George got a message that read “IM N UR KOLONEEZ, SPILLIN UR T.”
Mr. Stephens will kindly get the fuck off my lawn.
Snort said,
June 11, 2008 at 20:18
…that smacks too much of the professed beliefs of the ex-Beatle’s near namesake, Vladimir Ilyich.
Whuh?
bulbul said,
June 11, 2008 at 20:20
without making any real effort to integrate Muslims into a genuine European identity that means something more than the absence of identity
But wait, I thought European identity was no identity at all…
It has always struck me as odd that so many of the dissidents in Czechoslovakia, all of whom were passionate anti-Communists
Not that it matters, but that’s bullshit. Many people hanging around Havel in the 80’s were ex-communists thrown out by the Party in the purges of the 70’s. They were still the same communists as in the 60’s, only now without any power whatsoever. And don’t get me started about Havel, who now espouses same neocon beliefs as Podhoretz.
The EU has deliberately set about trying to smother the identities of its 27 member states (including Lithuania) in a set of common laws, common regulations,
Yeah, cause that couldn’t have any practical reasons whatsoever.
a common view of the rest of the world.
Which is why all the EU countries, including UK, Poland and Slovakia spoke against the Iraq War and refused to send in their troops. Or not.
bulbul said,
June 11, 2008 at 20:21
…that smacks too much of the professed beliefs of the ex-Beatle’s near namesake, Vladimir Ilyich.
Whuh?
Lenon - Lenin. Get it? It’s supposed to be teh funny.
Fozzetti said,
June 11, 2008 at 20:23
I found “Imagine” to be sophomoric and cringe-inducing, but not communistic! Wasn’t Lennon *rich*? If he gave to charity he kept it quiet (good idea or one is deluged with pleas for money). Of course there was “Back in the USSR!”. but I think that was McCartney trying to do a Beach Boys type song.
D.N. Nation said,
June 11, 2008 at 20:25
No hating on Havel. I won’t allow it.
ent lord said,
June 11, 2008 at 20:27
So taking this at face value,
“As to the Palestinians, who are the descendants of those Arabs who migrated in the last 200 years, they have the right, if they want, to have their own state… but not at the expense of the state of Israel”
We may also assume as to those Americans who are the descendants of those Europeans who migrated in the last 300 years they have the right, if they want, to have their own state……but not at the expense of the Native Americans. Does this mean the neocons will pack up and leave or will at least move to reservations so the true owners of the land can again claim their own, After all, their claim to America is more immediate than that of the Jews to Israel.
PeeJ said,
June 11, 2008 at 20:28
For Havel bashing he really should have gone with Zappa, not Lennon,
Rightwingsnarkle said,
June 11, 2008 at 20:33
OT, but worth snarking - Teh National Conglomeration of Former Hillary Clinton Supporters Who Now Think That John McCain is teh Awesomest!!!11!
(with [blink] enabled)
mako rojo said,
June 11, 2008 at 20:38
Didn’t we already learn this lesson in a very special episode of WKRP in Cincinnati?
SamFromUtah said,
June 11, 2008 at 20:43
OT, but worth snarking -
Is that site for real, or just some hyper-meta-ironic attempt to corral all the Operation Chaos idjits away from normal people?
pedestrian said,
June 11, 2008 at 20:46
A few years ago I played “Imagine” for my mother for the first time. She has been in the fundie compound since before it came out, so she wasn’t familiar with it.
“But…” she said, her mouth agape, “then there would be nothing left!“
Monty said,
June 11, 2008 at 20:50
I remember being so turned off by Sharanky’s bizarrely uneven and dishonest crapfest of a book that I quit reading forever (a few weeks).
After finding out Dubya loved it –“Read it to me again, Condi!”– I took many, many showers but haven’t felt completely clean since.
D.N. Nation said,
June 11, 2008 at 20:51
Also, “Imagine” is hacky, maudlin pap. It’s the kind of shit I wrote at 13 and was embarassed over at 15.
RodeoBob said,
June 11, 2008 at 20:53
Daily conservative cognative dissonance check:
Muslim headscarves in European Union regions: Dangerous, non-integrated sub-cultures given to violent tendancies, will probably attempt to form seperate state and withdraw from union.
Confederate flag iconography in southern United States: indicators of pride in tradition, heritage, history & culture.
Nothing to see here. Move along.
Righteous Bubba said,
June 11, 2008 at 20:58
Also, “Imagine” is hacky, maudlin pap.
Its primary function is as an argument against drug use.
DragonScholar said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:01
RodeoBob,
Nicely said.
As for this “identity” stuff, I find that there are “metacultures” in the EU, and in American, cultures that transcend more narrow-minded perspectives.
But some people choose not to join them.
Rightwingsnarkle said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:04
Is that site for real
My own bet in the office pool says ‘real.’
Malignant Bouffant said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:07
“Imagine” has always bugged Rabid Weasels. The no gawd, no nations part, sappy, maudlin & 13-yr.-old as it may (or may not) be, irritated local (Southern California) telebision dipstick Wally George (he must be on YouTube somewhere, look ‘im up) who almost invented contemporary RW hate radio (except on the telebision) in the early ’80s.
SamFromUtah said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:14
My own bet in the office pool says ‘real.’
I wouldn’t argue with that, but damned if I can tell the difference. In either case, maybe it will have the effect of occupying the ratfuckers, which I would welcome.
Stemler said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:18
So he’s actually arguing that there’s no such thing as a greater European identity? Am I missing something? I submit that there is and *ahem* “American Identity” is merely a subset of it.
Legalize said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:19
“Meanwhile, frank discussions of the identity issue are pushed to the neo-fascistic fringe.”
Lemme guess. Their idea of a “frank discussion” of identity issues is comprised primarily of running around yelling “RAG HEAD!!!!” at anyone with olive-toned skin, and whining about being “oppressed” when sensible people accuse them of being assholes?
What’s the over-under on that one?
J Neo Marvin said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:23
Play “Imagine” back to back with “Femme Fatale” by the Velvet Underground sometime. Same key, same melody, same tempo.
zeppo said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:25
O.K., can I complain about R.E.O. Speedwagon now?
Dr.BDH said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:25
… I made even less of a “dent” on him than Ginsberg had made on me thirty years earlier.
Didn’t know that Ginsberg ever hit on Podhoretz. Indeed, I assumed he had better taste than that. So, were they both so drunk that Alan “dented” Norman’s ass?
not even an mba said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:25
Sajudis, really? Lennon? What’s the dateline on this thing?
June 10, 2008?!?!?!?!
Fuck. What was that about the wingnuts being trapped in some time loop of the sixties? Well except for occasional breakouts of Reagan years.
Yeah Lithuanian independence movement! Hooray Sajudis! So, what are they up to today? Sitting on the sidelines while the communists run the government. You go Sajudis, one of the most consequential national liberation movements of the 20th century. Don’t get me wrong, winning national independence is indeed a big thing, but the fucking year is 2008.
It’s almost as good an argument as when people say that since Isaac Newton believed in spirits and alchemy, the belief in magic is scientific.
Atlas Scruggs said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:28
So, Stephens is bullish on multiculturalism. Who knew?
Not to mention bullish on liberalism:
It’s apparently only in the U.S. where identity and dissent need to be crushed.
not even an mba said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:30
O.K., can I complain about R.E.O. Speedwagon now?
The correct respons is, of course,
time to bring this ship into the shore
and throw away the oars
forever.
OTB said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:31
Fixed.
Imagine this said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:31
The reason people living under authoritarian regimes who don’t actually want to be living under authoritarian regimes tend to identify with artists like Lennon or Zappa or Ginsberg is because the latter are anti-authoritarian.
Seems kind of obvious.
Also seems pretty clear that somebody like Lennon or Zappa or Ginsberg would BE anti-authoritarian no matter which authoritarian system they lived under.
Whereas the same cannot be said for those in authority.
Dick Cheney for example. Had he been born and raised in a village in Burma, what would you imagine him doing right about now? Given his personality and his very “soul” whatever that might be?
Is Mr. Cheney one of the military rulers? Or a Buddhist monk?
Exactly.
Which is part of what people like Havel are responding to when they put a Lennon poster on the wall.
As for the song itself, that everybody — Right and Left — loves to mock. It has always seemed to me that “Imagine” — like every other literary utopian vision — deconstructs ITSELF by being so extreme and so IMPOSSIBLE to imagine. Not to mention the tinge of melancholy weariness I hear in his voice.
not even an mba said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:32
Not to mention bullish on liberalism
Also a pacifist:
Why doesn’t Bret Stephens Support the Troops?
PeeJ said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:32
It’s a pcompletely supportable argument. When you play the song backwards.
OTB said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:33
Well said, Imagine.
Snort said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:37
That Hillary site traces back to this guy. If IGoooogled it right.
Legalize said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:38
Rush. I have a huge problem with Rush. Communists? Don’t know. Islamo Nazis? I doubt it. What matters is that Rush fucking sucks. Apologies to Neal Pert, who I believe posts here from time to time.
FuriousGeorge said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:40
Rush does fucking suck, and I will apologize to no one about that opinion, not even Nick Andopolis.
Righteous Bubba said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:45
Rush does fucking suck
Sure, but they’re one of those bands that prove that if you write enough songs one will be good. Spirit of Radio is GREAT.
D.N. Nation said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:46
Also, it sucks.
Really, it does. Pretty bad, in fact.
¡El Gato Negro! said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:47
…that smacks too much of the professed beliefs of the Lennon Sisters’ near namesake, Vladimir Ilyich.
All better, no?
Nick Andopolis said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:48
:(
commie atheist said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:50
D.N. Nation said,
Also, “Imagine” is hacky, maudlin pap. It’s the kind of shit I wrote at 13 and was embarassed over at 15.
Which is why I prefer “Working Class Hero.” Now that’s a great motherfucking song.
FuriousGeorge said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:51
“Working Class Hero” is easily Lennon’s worst song, a total embarrassment. “Imagine” might be ridiculous claptrap but at least it doesn’t shit all over his audience.
Righteous Bubba said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:52
And you know what? Paul was the better Beatle.
Snort said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:53
Does anyone have a recording of Yoko Ono singing “Imagine”? I would like to play it. Really loud.
zeppo said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:54
Rush had some interesting album covers…..
pedestrian said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:54
Also, “Imagine” is hacky, maudlin pap. It’s the kind of shit I wrote at 13 and was embarassed over at 15.
Oh yeah, look who was better than John Lennon when he was fifteen. Fifteen!
Just kidding, it is kind of infantile.
commie atheist said,
June 11, 2008 at 21:58
Obviously, Furious, you’re far too doped on religion and sex and TV to see the truth.
not even an mba said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:01
Spirit of Radio? Bah. Free Will speaks to the common man, or at least the common pre-teen japanese girl. Her voice is about three octaves lower than Geddy Lee’s.
FuriousGeorge said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:03
Let me put it this way - wherever John Lennon went after he died, Woody Guthrie was there too, and Woody made him apologize profusely for “Working Class Hero” before he’d agree to join Lennon’s Donovan cover band.
Aaron said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:09
Call my taste in music crappy if you will, but I still like “Imagine.”
And Ringo was obviously the best Beatle.
Matt T. said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:12
I’ve always sorta liked “Imagine” as a song for the very reasons the like-named poster above noted. It’s such a far-gone utopian vision, so impossible, that it brings itself right around to reality. Besides, if you can’t imagine a better world, why are we bothering trying to make one?
However, the documentary of the same name is a different story. It was pretty good, but John Lennon comes off as one of rock & roll’s biggest douchebags. Just a complete and total dick, full of his own awesomeness so he can treat everyone else like crap…up until his second kid was born, and he seemed to get over himself. ‘Course, most of us could stand to get over ourselves and Lennon definately had massive amounts of smoke blown up his ass for almost three decades, but it was interesting watching how the human being became a star and then back to a human again. And then got shot in the damn head by some dumb son of a bitch. What a world.
And you know what? Paul was the better Beatle.
And Bo Diddley was better than all four Beatles put together.
Prudence Goodwife said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:14
-Europe in which all non-Muslim tribalism is muted.-
Holy shit! They’re going to cancel Oktoberfest.
not even an mba said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:15
What no love for George?
Hare Hare
Krishna Krishna
something about Vishnu…
PeeJ said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:16
And Bo Diddley was better than all four Beatles put together.
Does that put Bo Diddly between Jesus and God or above God?
Righteous Bubba said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:17
Paul was the better Beatle.
This should have been a masterful troll. Perhaps I am old.
Just a complete and total dick, full of his own awesomeness so he can treat everyone else like crap…
I am always impressed that more famous people aren’t completely out of their minds.
bliekker said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:20
And you know what? Paul was the better Beatle.
I always like Harrison’s stuff. And Instant Karma is a pretty good song…I never liked Imagine.
not even an mba said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:20
This should have been a masterful troll. Perhaps I am old.
Paul?!?! Man what a jerk, let the library fall into Wack Jacko’s hands. And look at how he honors the memory of Linda, by taking a big fat dump on that other chippy, the one with the fake leg. Man, misogyny and disparagement of the handicapped. When I’m sixty-four I hope I have way more class than Paul.
PENIS
SomeNYGuy said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:23
“…that’s a vision that smacks too much of the professed beliefs of the ex-Beatle’s near namesake, Vladimir Ilyich.”
Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov adopted the name Lenin. John Winston Lennon was born a Lennon, like his father and his father’s father and his father’s father’s father. How can he be called Lenin’s “near namesake”?
The answer, of course, is that Bret Stephens is a near moron.
Matt T. said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:24
Does that put Bo Diddly between Jesus and God or above God?
Above. I’ve met Bo, so I know he exists. That counts for an awful lot in my book.
I am always impressed that more famous people aren’t completely out of their minds.
My brother’s of the opinion that it isn’t your sanity that’s really a factor in how big a rock & roll douchebag you are, it’s how much you buy your own press. Once you start believing the jackasses that tell you what a genius you are between backstage beers/tokes/toots, it’s all over. He and I both have seen thus on a small scale here in the Classic City and I’ve seen evidence of it back when I was a music journalist (and no I won’t name names, as Google’s an unforgiving motherfucker), so I’m inclinded to think he’s got something.
I don’t know how it works for other types of famous folks, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if it wasn’t something similar at work.
commie atheist said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:24
Speaking of Donovan - was “Wear Your Love Like Heaven” a prescient ode to the impending Islamofascist hegemony?
not even an mba said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:25
That’s where you’re all confused. His name was really John Wayne Gacy Lennon Lenin Stalin Chairman Mao Idi Amin Lennon, which when translated into Russian is Vladimir.
Matt T. said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:27
Or existed, rather. Bless his heart.
commie atheist said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:28
And, for what it’s worth, Woody Guthrie sang about B-E-E-T-S, not B-E-A-T-S.
Mark David Chapman said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:30
You owe me an apology. Bret Stephens killed John Lennon.
zeppo said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:31
My brother was in a sort of a mid-level rock and roll band in the 70’s and early 80’s. Had a number of top 10 hits that people would obviously remember. My brother is still having a hard time getting over himself, even when he is getting close to 60. He kinda of pisses me off most every time I talk to him. Hey, glory days are long gone, bro. I can’t even imagine (notice how cleverly I worked that in, completely accidently) what the Beatles went through. Lennon did say they were bigger than God, right? That takes some balls to say that.
bulbul said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:33
And you know what? Paul was the better Beatle.
Many true words were spoken here tonight. But these are undoubtedly the, um, truest.
John Lennon said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:34
Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I do not know what will go first, rock ‘n’ roll or Christianity. We’re more popular than Jesus now. Jesus was all right, but his disciples were thick and ordinary.
pedestrian said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:36
His name was really John Wayne Gacy Lennon Lenin Stalin Chairman Mao
Idi AminRobert Mugabe Lennon, which when translated into Russian is Vladimir.Get with the times, man. Nobody cares about Idi Amin anymore. There can be only one liberal-approved blacky black dictator of Africa.
pedestrian said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:37
his disciples were thick and ordinary.
Fucking elitist.
Mike Nilsen said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:38
Yeah, Imagine was kinda lame, but Lennon almost deserved to get shot for “Double Fantasy”. Jeebus! And “Rock ‘n’ Roll’ was pretty embarrassing, too.
FuriousGeorge said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:42
My brother was in a sort of a mid-level rock and roll band in the 70’s and early 80’s. Had a number of top 10 hits that people would obviously remember.
This sounds like a challenge. Hints, the people need hints.
FuriousGeorge said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:42
Is it bigger than a bread box?
tigrismus said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:44
Podperson clearly missed out on the fact that the evil dirty Ruskies were no fans of Lennon or Ginsberg.
Well, no, he mentions it, says he thought the commies were “stupid” not to recognize beatnik nonconformists etc as “de facto allies in the cold war.” Then he lambasted an ironmonger for using a hammer to repair a sickle and declared war on the color red.
THE END OF THE INTERNET said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:45
Hai guyz! Been a while.
zeppo said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:47
Well, I have some concerns about The Google as well Matt T., I think it was…. Don’t really think I would like bro to find out I had been talking about him, even anonymously.
http://www.firefa**.com/
Replace the astericks with two L’s
SomeNYGuy said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:49
I liked John Lennon. I still like “Imagine”. And as soon as I get my mail order diploma from the Bela Lugosi White Zombie Voodoo Academy and Novelty Emporium, I will curse all of you Lennon-bashers to an eternity of all Creed, only Creed, all the time Creed. Are you scared yet?
FuriousGeorge said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:50
Never heard of ‘em. Ah, just as well. For the record, I was going to guess The Tubes.
zeppo said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:56
A Bela Lugosi White Zombie reference! Hey, can you grow your eyebrows together like Bela?
Creed still sucks, but luckily, all their equipment is rusted out from playing while in a half filled swimming pool.
SomeNYGuy said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:56
Yes, I remember Firefall from my
wildmild teenage years. I’d rank them somewhere between England Dan & John Ford Coley and root canal.I prefer Zeppo’s other brothers, the funny ones.
Righteous Bubba said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:57
My brother’s of the opinion that it isn’t your sanity that’s really a factor in how big a rock & roll douchebag you are, it’s how much you buy your own press.
The press doesn’t have to be good though, it just has to affirm your station.
Righteous Bubba said,
June 11, 2008 at 22:58
It might be smart to have Firefa** mention moderated somewhat for zeppo’s sake.
The non-Jewish, never-were-Jewish Goldberg family (how dare you even suggest such a thing) said,
June 11, 2008 at 23:02
What do you think Bret Stephens’ real family name was — you know, before they decided their Eastern European “identity” wasn’t worth “defending”?
Nick Andopolis said,
June 11, 2008 at 23:03
I wonder if that Creed thread is still alive. That said, White Zombie is miles better than Creed, in that White Zombie is actually good at all. I don’t recall any hot girls in Creed - unless you count Scott Stapp, who was not actually hot. Still isn’t. None of this this is central to my point, and none of it is very telling of anything at all.
Legalize said,
June 11, 2008 at 23:06
Uh yeah, I agree with Nick Andopolis ….
PeeJ said,
June 11, 2008 at 23:11
Zeppo. You have my pity.
Gawdam, they sucked.
Righteous Bubba said,
June 11, 2008 at 23:13
Soul-Crusher was a good record.
zeppo said,
June 11, 2008 at 23:15
Wow… You guys are harsh. I actually think they rocked live. It’s the smarmy commerical stuff that got on radio.
But then again, there are people on this site who are actually debating the merits of Creed.
Snort said,
June 11, 2008 at 23:27
What do you think Bret Stephens’ real family name was…
John Wayne Gacy Lennon Lenin Stalin Chairman Mao Idi Amin Lennon?
mikey said,
June 11, 2008 at 23:34
Yeah. Dammit, if I had any talent whatsoever I’d have been in a famous band too.
As it is, I did once have a top ten toenail…
mikey
Me said,
June 11, 2008 at 23:35
John Lennon couldn’t control which of his songs became “anthems”. All the ideas expressed in “Imagine” were laid out much better, and more explicitly, on his Plastic Ono Band album. In fact, he once described “Imagine”, in an angry letter to McCartney, as “Plastic Ono Band with sugar on it for conservatives like yourself!”.
Righteous Bubba said,
June 11, 2008 at 23:37
Yeah. Dammit, if I had any talent whatsoever I’d have been in a famous band too.
Talent is not a requirement.
SomeNYGuy said,
June 11, 2008 at 23:38
As it is, I did once have a top ten toenail…
Isn’t that what Brooke Shields (Catherine O’Hara) wanted to call Tip O’Neill (John Candy) on a classic SCTV episode?
Stephen King said,
June 11, 2008 at 23:43
The fact is, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and I used the super-secret Canadian mind control device to murder John Lennon. Tin foil works, but not alumin(i)um.
poopy Mcpants said,
June 11, 2008 at 23:48
wow, I never knew that vladamir was the russian version of John. either that, or someone doesn’t know what namesake means.
alec said,
June 11, 2008 at 23:48
I feel really terrible for the Slavic left, such as it is. They were the ones who did the organizing and they were the ones who spent the longest time and had the most to lose struggling against Communism, and now they get to bounce from lecture to lecture by hacks like this about the Beatles being Bolsheviks.
It’s depressing. Like if it turned out the Obama campaign was a neocon trojan horse, and we had to deal with pious cod-Bushes forever.
PeeJ said,
June 12, 2008 at 0:19
But then again, there are people on this site who are actually debating the merits of Creed.
Proof that even lefties occasionally write poorly.
1. Debate? You call that debate?
2. Merits? Of Creed? Izzat some kind of inverse strawman yer trying to pull?
Yes yes, I’ll endeavour to be part of the solution:
Poopie poopy poop. Penis. Foreskin. Poop.
Righteous Bubba said,
June 12, 2008 at 0:23
2. Merits? Of Creed?
Stapp it already.
Arky H8r of VurdPress said,
June 12, 2008 at 0:34
Bread?
Air Supply?
REO Speedwagon?
Sorry, was that “mid-level” or “mediocre”?
PeeJ said,
June 12, 2008 at 0:38
It’s the “rock and roll” part that we should object to.
Arky H8r of VurdPress said,
June 12, 2008 at 0:39
Firefall? Shit.
Now I’ve got:
“You are the woman that I’ve always dreamed of, I knew it from the start. I saw your face and that’s the last I’ve seen of my heart.”
stuck in my head.
And so do you.
Suckers!
"Oh Stewardess, I Speak 'Nut" said,
June 12, 2008 at 0:42
“I’m with you on ‘Imagine’ — love the piano, hate the lyrics.”
You know what else really sucks? Puppies. Puppies and Kittens.
Ponies are no picnic, either.
Arky H8r of VurdPress said,
June 12, 2008 at 0:43
No seriously this isn’t funny. Why do I have note-for-note recall of a song I can’t possibly have heard in at least 20 years?
Get it out get it out get it out get it out!
"Oh Stewardess, I Speak 'Nut" said,
June 12, 2008 at 0:45
What, over 100 posts and still no Yakoff Smirnoff?
In Soviet Union, country imagines world with no you!
pedestrian said,
June 12, 2008 at 0:48
I feel really terrible for the Slavic left, such as it is.
They have bigger things to worry about than whether the Beatles were Stalinists or Republicans or jingle writers. You think our rightwingers are bad…
"Oh Stewardess, I Speak 'Nut" said,
June 12, 2008 at 0:54
And finally, has anyone else noticed that The Beatles are passing away in the same order as the greatness of their talent? (To wit: John first, George second.)
So we can assume that Ringo will live to a very ripe old age?
Righteous Bubba said,
June 12, 2008 at 0:55
And finally, has anyone else noticed that The Beatles are passing away in the same order as the greatness of their talent?
Jesus fuck I AM old.
Patkin said,
June 12, 2008 at 0:59
And finally, has anyone else noticed that The Beatles are passing away in the same order as the greatness of their talent?
So, if I understand your stance here, you’re saying their original drummer was in fact the greatest of them all?
alec said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:00
They have bigger things to worry about than whether the Beatles were Stalinists or Republicans or jingle writers. You think our rightwingers are bad…
Well, yeah, but it’s not like the worst thing Bush does is pretend to be a fighter pilot with a huge package. The most annoying, yeah - just like the most annoying thing that families’ party did was try and elect Jesus King of Poland. But most of what they do is too horrifying to sneer at.
Pretending that Lennon was a Leninist may be one of the least evil things this guy has ever done. I bet he cannot go a day without snapping a puppy’s neck and fucking the limp cadaver. It’s not quite as easy to laugh at that, though.
Snorghagen said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:03
I always suspected that Lawrence Welk was Stalin.
- - - - - - - - -
Not true. I still follow his teachings.
FuriousGeorge said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:04
So, if I understand your stance here, you’re saying their original drummer was in fact the greatest of them all?
Pete Best is still alive. You’re thinking of Stu Sutcliffe, who played bass, poorly, and died before the band took off.
Righteous Bubba said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:13
There are a lot of fifth Beatles.
pedestrian said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:15
His Excellency President for Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor Snorghagen, Victorious Cross, Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, Conqueror of the British Empire.
Spanish-American War™²³®© said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:21
How batshit insane will these people be by October, when the electoral handwriting is so stark even K-Lo can’t misread it?
mikey said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:21
Yeah, the Beatles really kicked some ass in their day.
I really liked “Last Train to Clarksville”…
mikey
Smiling Mortician said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:24
Hey zeppo, your brother’s band was the third concert I ever went to (first was Brownsville Station, second was Foghat). I thought they were great, but I was sixteen and stoned, so there’s that.
Snorghagen said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:31
His Excellency President for Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor Snorghagen, Victorious Cross, Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, Conqueror of the British Empire.
You failed to mention Order of the Grand Wazoo, Webelos Badge, and Certified Public Nuisance.
The Fool said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:32
Fuck all of you Imagine haters. You fundamentally don’t get it.
Imagine is a great and beautiful song. But it requires an innocence of spirit to appreciate that all too many arty poseurs either never had or lost a long time ago. It introduced ideas into mainstream American culture that rarely get any attention at all and certainly not in the numbers that Lennon’s song got. Growing up in a strict religious household it meant a helluva lot to me as a teenager to hear that someone who I liked a lot thought there might not be a heaven.
FYI: its not a treatise in political theory or theology, you stupid fucks.
Spanish-American War™²³®© said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:34
For a peace loving people, we sure get into a lot of wars on other people’s turf.
What’s up with that, you think?
Righteous Bubba said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:35
The Fool said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:32 (kill)
Fuck all of you Imagine haters. You fundamentally don’t get it.
…and once more…
The Fool said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:32 (kill)
Fuck all of you Imagine haters. You fundamentally don’t get it.
…and again.
The Fool said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:32 (kill)
Fuck all of you Imagine haters. You fundamentally don’t get it.
Philippine-American War™²³®© said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:35
FYI: its not a treatise in political theory or theology, you stupid fucks.
Well, poop!
PeeJ said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:35
What’s with all the concern over the “fifth beetle?” Christ, VW sold 25 million of ‘em. They were all pretty much alike.
Philippine-American War™²³®© said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:37
In heaven, everyone’s always telling poop jokes.
And everyone’s always laughing, because they’re all funny.
PeeJ said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:37
we sure get into a lot of wars on other people’s turf.
Ah yes, those splendid little wars of old.
MzNicky said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:37
Not to mention the tinge of melancholy weariness I hear in his voice.
I blame Yoko.
Crissa said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:39
Wow, and I always thought the reason that liberalism and the left was superior was its acceptance of anti-authoritarianism and being able to sympathize and imagine being in another’s place.
To think there’s a thread here of supposed lefties that can’t imagine a world without authoritarians and capitalism shows how strong the kool-aid really is.
MzNicky said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:40
Which is why I prefer “Working Class Hero.” Now that’s a great motherfucking song.
Yeah, it’s pretty good. Give a listen to “Gimme Some Truth” if you haven’t heard it in a while. Not only holds its own 27 years later but has acquired a nice patina.
MzNicky said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:44
And you know what? Paul was the better Beatle
Anyone else remember National Lampoon’s Radio Dinner parody of John Lennon?
Paul said he hated Yoko
Tell me why should Yoko have to take that kind of shit
Shit from those fuckin’ sons of bitches
George said she gave off evil vibes I shoulda beat the fuckin’ shit right outa him
Him and his fuckin’ Hare Krishna!
….him and that rubbish he’s been playin’!
He’s nothin’ but an animal! A fuckin’ stupid middle-class pig!
I won’t let fuckin’ animals like that near me!
Yoko is a supreme intellectual!
etc.
Philippine-American War™²³®© said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:44
To think there’s a thread here of supposed lefties that can’t imagine a world without authoritarians and capitalism shows how strong the kool-aid really is.
Imagine that.
PeeJ said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:45
To think there’s a thread here of supposed lefties that can’t imagine a world without authoritarians and capitalism shows how strong the kool-aid really is.
I dranked me sum kewlaid, yep. Makes me infuckintolerant and killz my bemagination. I wuz a lefty but then I dranked it up. Now my only problem is, my skinz got so thin ya kin see ratcht tru me.
Righteous Bubba said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:46
Anyone else remember National Lampoon’s Radio Dinner parody of John Lennon?
That was a real masterpiece. Somewhere I read that someone in LA played it for Lennon, who hadn’t heard about it. Lennon then left without saying a word.
MzNicky said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:48
Lennon did say they were bigger than God, right?
No, actually, he didn’t.
MzNicky said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:48
Lennon almost deserved to get shot for “Double Fantasy”.
Fuck you.
Philippine-American War™²³®© said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:49
Meanwhile, (before I was so RUDELY interrupted):
Same as it ever was.
To counter the bad press back in America, General Otis stated that insurgents tortured American prisoners in “fiendish fashion”, some of whom were buried alive, or worse, up to their necks in anthills to be slowly devoured.
…
Sergeant Hallock testified in the Lodge Committee that natives were given the water cure, “…in order to secure information of the murder of Private O’Herne of Company I, who had been not only killed, but roasted and otherwise tortured before death ensued.”[73]
J— said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:49
I got “Strange Way” stuck in my head.
SamFromUtah said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:50
To think there’s a thread here of supposed lefties that can’t imagine a world without authoritarians and capitalism shows how strong the kool-aid really is.
Not sure where you’re coming from with this.
Does my not liking the song mean I can’t imagine those things?
Snorghagen said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:54
Fuck all of you Imagine haters… arty poseurs… you stupid fucks.
Ah, yes… there’s that old innocence of spirit.
MzNicky said,
June 12, 2008 at 1:55
The Fool was a bunch of Beatle hangers-on who painted up their limos all psychedelic and eventually helped drive the Apple Boutique into the ground.
mikey said,
June 12, 2008 at 2:02
I think it goes something like this:
I REALLY like a particular song.
And if you don’t like it?
You’re an asshole. A FUCKIN Asshole.
Pretty simple, actually…
mikey
Ed said,
June 12, 2008 at 2:08
Whatever Lennon did, it is as nothing compared to the Frog Chorus.
PeeJ said,
June 12, 2008 at 2:08
no mikey, I won’t call you an asshole.
Manolo, call dat guy an asshole.
SamFromUtah said,
June 12, 2008 at 2:09
Pretty simple, actually…
That’s it, all right. It would be so much simpler if people just stuck to that instead of spending 100 pages of typing trying to explain why I’m such an asshole, but I guess without a constant flow of nonsense the intertubes get all sclerotic.
I miss the days when you got hit with that “costing the net hundreds if not thousands of dollars” guilt trip every time you went to post a comment. Not that it ever stopped anybody.
PeeJ said,
June 12, 2008 at 2:11
I miss the days when you got hit with that “costing the net hundreds if not thousands of dollars” guilt trip every time you went to post a comment.
Wow. You must be really fuckin old. Asshole.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
poop
Rick Massimo said,
June 12, 2008 at 2:12
I once (in the mid-’90s) decided to start a completely baseless (yet harmless) rumor for no reason whatsoever. So I decided to start telling my friends that a completely wild friend of ours who played avant-garde jazz flute in between being a Fluxus performance artist and an abstract painter had been the flute player on Firefa**’s “You Are the Woman.” This guy (whom I love dearly) was nutso enough that it was funny and came from a mysterious-enough background that it could plausibly have been true, and besides, who the hell (especially pre-YouTube) was going to know?
It didn’t take off to the point I had hoped, which was that people would start telling it to me as though I hadn’t heard it and it were fact. But it spread to a few people.
MzNicky said,
June 12, 2008 at 2:17
And you know what? Paul was the better Beatle
I was the walrus!
Paul wasn’t the walrus!
I was just saying that to be nice
But I was actually the walrus!
The dream is over.
SamFromUtah said,
June 12, 2008 at 2:19
But I was actually the walrus!
Nooooooo they be takin’ away mah bucket!
Righteous Bubba said,
June 12, 2008 at 2:20
Via Crooked Timber a “rub-your-belly, grab-your-balls, give-you-a-hug, slap-your-back, pull-your-dick, squeeze-your-hand, cheek-your-face, and pat-your-thigh kind of guy.”
Brandi said,
June 12, 2008 at 2:27
To think there’s a thread here of supposed lefties that can’t imagine a world without authoritarians and capitalism shows how strong the kool-aid really is.
Or maybe some of us just enjoy the irony of John accompanying a song saying “Imagine no possessions” on a baby grand that had a 4- or 5-digit price back in ‘71.
On an aside: Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry have some fun with Hey, Jude.
Henry Holland said,
June 12, 2008 at 2:36
It introduced ideas into mainstream American culture that rarely get any attention at all and certainly not in the numbers that Lennon’s song got. Growing up in a strict religious household it meant a helluva lot to me as a teenager to hear that someone who I liked a lot thought there might not be a heaven.
So true. Not only are those ideas not given any attention, they’re furiously attacked whenever somebody decides to put their head above the parapet.
Where’s the love for Lennon’s God?
God is a concept, by which we can measure our
I’ll say it again
God is a concept, by which we can measure our pain
I don’t believe in magic, I don’t believe in I-ching,
I don’t believe in bible, I don’t believe in tarot,
I don’t believe in Hitler, I don’t believe in Jesus,
I don’t believe in Kennedy, I don’t believe in Buddha,
I don’t believe in mantra, I don’t believe in Gita,
I don’t believe in yoga, I don’t believe in kings,
I don’t believe in Elvis, I don’t believe in Zimmerman,
I don’t believe in Beatles
I just believe in me, Yoko and me, and that’s reality
The dream is over, what can I say?
The dream is over, yesterday I was dreamweaver
But now I’m reborn
I was the walrus, but now I’m John
And so dear friends, you just have to carry on
The dream is over
That’s fucking heavy, man.
Lesley said,
June 12, 2008 at 2:47
Canada needs SadlyNo Inc. to branch out. We are this close to having the worst government ever.
This week, the Conservatives passed their draconian immigration bill that will allow the [neocon] Minister to singlehandedly decide who gets in and who doesn’t. It passed only because the Liberals didn’t show up to vote against it because they didn’t want a summer election. I just read in the Globe that the Harper government has privatized the processing of Visa applications in parts of China. This is hugely controversial because all private companies processing Visas have to be licensed by the Chinese government and can have their offices raided at any time by the Chinese authorities. This means there is no guarantee of security of information.
The Conservatives are politicizing immigration in the extreme and now they are compromising the security of applicants in a totalitarian state where people are routinely imprisoned and sometime executed for their religious or political beliefs.
Also, this Thursday they want to introduce new copyright legislation that will outlaw the transfer of music to IPODs. Seriously and I’m not even kidding, they intend to criminalize copying music from a CD to an MP3 player. The legislation includes allowing the police to request the identification of IP subscribers without a court order. So basically they can come in and raid your computer at any time. Not just raid it, take it.
You thought Bush was bad……!!! I may have to relocate when Obama’s elected.
MzNicky said,
June 12, 2008 at 2:52
Lesley, that’s all very interesting, but who do you think the walrus actually was: Paul or John?
Well?
mikey said,
June 12, 2008 at 2:53
99 red balloons.
floating in the summer sky.
Panic bells, it’s red alert.
There’s something here from somewhere else.
The war machine springs to life.
Opens up one eager eye.
Focusing it on the sky.
Where 99 red balloons go by.
No. THAT’S fucking heavy…
mikey
MzNicky said,
June 12, 2008 at 2:53
Sorry. It’s been a crappy week and I hate the fuckin’ Eagles, man.
not even an mba said,
June 12, 2008 at 2:59
So fifth Beatle is like Al Qaeda number three?
True story, and I guess this is going to make me a total outcast now. My favorite Beatles song is Paperback Writer.
Smut Clyde said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:04
My favorite Beatles song is Paperback Writer.
Inspired by that song, I had written the first draft of my novel on brown-paper supermarket shopping bags — 1292 of them — before someone corrected my mistake about the lyrics.
MileHi Hawkeye said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:05
Silly liebrals, arguing over a bunch of pinko, limey nancy boys. American bands not good enough for you, huh?
Poopy heads.
Philippine-American War™²³®© said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:05
Inspired by that song, I had written the first draft of my novel on brown-paper supermarket shopping bags — 1292 of them — before someone corrected my mistake about the lyrics.
And then you became a doctor?
not even an mba said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:06
Inspired by that song, I had written the first draft of my novel on brown-paper supermarket shopping bags — 1292 of them — before someone corrected my mistake about the lyrics.
Man you truly were dedicated to your Kraft.
Snorghagen said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:13
Sounds like the RIAA has seized control of Canada.
Smut Clyde said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:15
The 5th Rutle was Leppo. In 1960, when the band were playing all the clubs on the Reeperbahn, Leppo crawled inside a trunk with a small German fräulein and was never heard from again. Luckily he couldn’t play anyway.
Another Kiwi said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:15
Lennon wasn’t a saint, some stuff he did was very unpleasant. But he could inspire people through his music to be better people.
What inspiration do we get from dry, joyless hacks that decry musicians (musicians for fecks sake!!) aside from inspiring us to drool from both sides of our mouth.
Havel must have wondered what freakin’ alternate universe Podhoretz was from.
John Waldo Waybill said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:17
The Tubes > The Beatles
Snorghagen said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:18
What is Zhdanov’s position on the walrus dispute?
not even an mba said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:20
Oh man, while looking for stuff about George, I came across this.
zeppo said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:20
I rather regret that I mentioned my brother’s band. Yeah, their big hit is a rather silly, syrupy song that I still hear in my local Safeway or elevator. I only brought it up to make a point about how even a big fish in a small pond can really start to believe that he/she is a major center of the universe…. I can’t imagine what must have been going through the Beatles’ heads during the 60’s.
Oh, and yes, I had already been corrected about John saying that they were as big as Jesus, not God. My mistake. I was 9 at the time. Besides, my memory isn’t that good. Also, since Jesus and God, along with that Holy Ghost which I never, ever understood, is all supposed to be part of the same thing, wasn’t I correct in concept, if not actual words?
So, am I supposed to say “Poopie” here? Or should I wait a bit? I’m kinda unsure of the protocol.
PeeJ said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:21
baaad pun, mba. From your art I choke.
The Fool said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:24
“Ah, yes… there’s that old innocence of spirit.”
Yeah, sadly I lost it a long time ago after 2 or 3 decades worth of shitty punk and post-punk music touted by musical morons like yourself as being better than the Beatles, Stones etc.
mikey said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:29
My goodness.
The fool seems to have some anger issues.
Perhaps he should listen to some beatles music and chill.
Y’know?
Or maybe even some Creed….
mikey
not even an mba said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:32
So, am I supposed to say “Poopie” here? Or should I wait a bit? I’m kinda unsure of the protocol.
The correct respons is, of course, poopie.
Henry Holland said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:33
Lennon wasn’t a saint, some stuff he did was very unpleasant. But he could inspire people through his music to be better people.
My favorite Not Nice John anecdote: the Fabs were in an elevator with Brian Epstein and Epstein asked what he should call his biography. “Queer Jew” said John.
Well, OK, Epstein was a queer and he was Jewish, but still.
I only brought it up to make a point about how even a big fish in a small pond can really start to believe that he/she is a major center of the universe…. I can’t imagine what must have been going through the Beatles’ heads during the 60’s.
Athletes are even worse, I’d say. At least musicians have to develop a talent, but athletes are self-selected due to genetics. If I had practiced hard, I could have been a really good bass player in the prog rock style back in the day; I was never going to pitch in the major leagues however, no matter how much my tub of goo body tried.
tigrismus said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:36
Oh zeppo, it’s never the wrong time to say poopy; each and every moment is just one of infinite right times.
not even an mba said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:40
In the history thread I claimed that Hungarian Rhapsody #2 was the greatest rhapsody ever written. I take that back, Weird Al Musical Fucking Genius Yankovich.
not even an mba said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:40
Let’s try that again, apparently Weird Al is too much for Wordpress.
Smut Clyde said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:42
it’s never the wrong time to say poopy
I prefer to have my monkey butler say ‘Poopy’ for me.
Proteus454 said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:44
Canada needs SadlyNo Inc. to branch out. We are this close to having the worst government ever.
I’ll drink to that, y0.
mikey said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:46
My goddam monkey butler won’t wear the tuxedo.
He just wants to wear khakis and polo shirts.
Should I fire the little fucker?
mikey
PeeJ said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:46
ℙ➊➊ℙ
SamFromUtah said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:47
The fool seems to have some anger issues.
Yup. Part of why I don’t take my musical tastes very seriously - so I don’t end up like that.
Philippine-American War™²³®© said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:48
not even an mba said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:40
Let’s try that again, apparently Weird Al is too much for Wordpress.
rocksation (1 day ago) Show Hide 0 Marked as spam Reply | Spam I hate this version of bohemian rhapsody, I hate soooo much!!!
headlesslady (1 day ago) Show Hide 0 Marked as spam Reply | Spam Jesus Christ. You should die ’cause of this shit.
Joestn77 (1 day ago) Show Hide 0 Marked as spam Reply | Spam nothing. i was just giving an example.
Myfloodlebong (1 day ago) Show Hide 0 Marked as spam Reply | Spam … What do the beatles have to do with this?
Heh heh heh. Youtube comments, Sadly, No! thread. We defame, you disfigure.
Smut Clyde said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:48
Does he spend half his time at the monkey bars?
History said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:53
Lesley, that’s all very interesting, but who do you think the walrus actually was: Paul or John?
John. But if it can’t be settled, how about Pope John Paul?
mikey said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:53
And the other half at Urban Outfitters.
He doesn’t get anything done.
And he keeps pissing on the book shelf…
mikey
zeppo said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:54
Brian Epstein was gay? I never knew that. Does that explain the really tight trousers? (Hat tip to Eric Idle.)
History aka Lesley said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:54
forgot to change nicks
Matt T. said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:55
Yeah, sadly I lost it a long time ago after 2 or 3 decades worth of shitty punk and post-punk music touted by musical morons like yourself as being better than the Beatles, Stones etc.
Not me. I said Bo Diddley was better than The Beatles. And he was. I’l go one further. You know all them folks the Beatles and the Stones and what-all covered like Bo or Chuck Berry or Buck Owens or or Muddy Waters or Little Richard or Big Joe Turner or Sam Cooke or Larry Williams or any of those guys? Better. Otis Redding? Better. Aretha Franklin? Better. T-Bone Walker? Better. Patsy Cline? Better. And Elvis? Best of all, particularly from, say, 1968 to, oh, let’s cut off about mid-’72.
And I been saying that shit for years. So, nyahh. In all seriousness, though, ever since I saw Sympathy For The Devil and the promo video for that wretched Goddess In The Doorway album of a few years ago, I really can’t take Mick Jagger seriously. And since I saw the horrid, horrid third installment of Pirates Of The Carribean, I really can’t take Keith Richards seriously anymore, either. He looked like he might shatter. So disappointing.
Luckily, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts are still incredibly cool and awesome. It’s astounding, really, how bad-ass they are. I’ve seen the Stones a couple times and always, always, Woody and Charlie are the most awesome thing within a five-mile radius and you just sorta wish Jagger would shut his fuckin’ hole, sit the fuck down and quit prancing around like a stunned white-tail deer, you platonic honky.
You know who else I think is better than the Beatles? Hank Williams Jr. from about 1975 until 1984 or so - about the same recording time of the Fab Four - and I ain’t even kidding. But you wanna talk about a guy who started enjoying the smell of his own bullshit way too much. I got a live concert of him from, like, ‘90 on VHS and, oh, is it a sad sight. Guy was bad-ass back in the day, though.
MileHi Hawkeye said,
June 12, 2008 at 3:58
“He was bigger than LSD.”
–Pete Townsend on Jimi
Malignant Bouffant said,
June 12, 2008 at 4:01
Dear zeppo:
I videotaped your bro’s band rehearsing their stage act for their first tour at
StupidStudio Instrument Rentals in Hollywood in 1975 (or 6?). Thought they were a sucky Eagles-type outfit, no offense to you, of course. Your brother wasn’t the onion-head drummer who was in Spirit (”I Got a Line on You”) was he?And MzNicky:
You beat me to the Radio Dinner reference. And the Eagles are still awful. Best thing about the Eagles was that when we taped them rehearsing their crew played Richard Pryor albums on the P. A. while setting up for their majesties.
More Radio Dinner:
I resent
Performing for you fuckers
Tell me what do you know?
A lot of stupid hippies w/ your fucking peace symbol
Knocking at my door
Get this
Fuck that
I don’t owe you fuckers anything
And all I’ve got to say is fuck yoooooooooooooooou
[long sequence of bad piano chords]
The sky is bluuuuuuuuuuue
Also:
I’m sensitive as shit
I throw up before I go onstage
I can make a guitar speak
If I could be a fisherman I would
But I can’t because I’m a fucking genius!
Love that song, just love it!!
PeeJ said,
June 12, 2008 at 4:03
My monk he is a lama
I asked him to to vote for Obama
He said, with some drama, “sure, it’s alright with Rama.
Besides, he’s got a hot mama.”
I don’t think he’s a real monk.
ℙ➊➊ℙ
jim said,
June 12, 2008 at 4:08
#9 … #9 … #9 … #9 … #9 …