Tune-Smiths Vs Trump
Our resident Kiss92 DJ/journo on why most of your favourite musicians aren't Trump fans
American rock band Weezer released a new music video on Sunday, just before the second debate between presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
It's called "I Love The USA".
It's not about loving the USA.
Originally written to unironically celebrate a NASA mission, it's been repurposed as an ironic attack on Donald Trump.
The rather cryptic lyrics offer a lot of leeway interpretation-wise, allowing for the 180-degree pivot.
"I love the USA / F*** yeah, this place is great" goes the chorus.
The video features comedian Patton Oswalt dressed head-to-toe in stars and stripes.
He lounges around the Oval Office before finally instigating a nuclear war.
"I was just trying to make America great," he says as he's wrestled to the ground by secret service agents.
It's an obvious dig at Trump.
For those who might wonder why rockers generally stand in opposition to right-wing politicians, it's really quite simple - musicians tend to be thoughtful, sensitive people.
When you spend your life creating beautiful things, it opens you up to the wonders of existence.
One develops an open mind.
Conservatives tend to be characterised by their closed minds.
They inhabit a Manichaean, fear-based world where "winning" is all.
One must be brave and optimistic to be a musician. One must embrace uncertainty - not to mention poverty.
For your typical conservative, "making it" in a worldly sense is the priority.
ENEMIES
Musicians and conservatives are natural enemies.
They're fighting for two incompatible visions of our future on this planet.
This is why a long list of artists - including Adele, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Queen, R.E.M. and the estate of George Harrison - have refused Trump permission to use their songs.
It's why Bruce Springsteen and U2 speak out so vehemently against him.
I am a very liberal person, but having grown up in a small town I am sympathetic to many conservative viewpoints.
That said, when it comes to Trump, I'm with Weezer.
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now