Oh the perversions..

[punisa]

o04WowWkuG4

One of the most memorable lines from the Lennon's "Working Class Hero" is "Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV
And you think you're so clever and classless and free"

And these second hand musicians sing it on American Idol, oh the irony, oh the perversion :laugh:

Could the "left" as an ideology also be exploited for capital gains?

[Hegemonicretribution]

Short answer; yes. Just look at t-shirts, mugs, posters etc etc... Of course these usually relate to a supposed 'idol' or particular issue or symbol.

However lifestylism is packaged for consumers as a marketable for of 'rebellion' and will continue to be so as long as it is profitable. I hate on lifestylism a lot less than many here do, but if it is reasonably legal and something that can generate cashflow then it will be subverted and sanitised and changed.

I guess it would depend on what you mean by ideology, but it is aspects of this ideology which are targetted when these products and lifestyles are offered to us, sometimes 'covertly' so that we know we are cool. But yes the market, as long as it is the means of exchange for everything from basic necessities to ideas (books) will cash in on whatever generates interest and demand.

[Poison]

Wow...don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life.

What tools.

[Hit The North]

Why are Green Day "second hand musicians"?

Moreover, it is obvious that Green Day would recognise the irony of playing this on American Idol.

I can't imagine a British band being allowed to play this song on the X Factor.

[scarletghoul]

Whats wrong with this? The song has a good message, there is nothing wrong with broadcasting it.

[cop an Attitude]

Its good i guess to get the message out to a large crowd but I doubt that it sank in for most, after all their watching American Idol. Not to mention that green day is not the right band to be playing this song. Would lennon had given the rights to some over-marketed cliche' band for a couple bucks if he was still alive, actully I wouldnt be suprised. But who knows, some kid sitting at home might have actully listened to the song and became just a little more curious about the world around him.

[punisa]

Why are Green Day "second hand musicians"?

Moreover, it is obvious that Green Day would recognise the irony of playing this on American Idol.

I can't imagine a British band being allowed to play this song on the X Factor.

No offensive to their music, I even think they are quite good in what they do (pop punk rock), but to go on the American Idol, get good cash for it and sing "Working class hero"? I doubt they made it with any irony in mind, I think they are exploiting a great song here.
Nevertheless, all I wanted to point out is the funny fact where song meaning collides with the ambient where it has been performed.

[LOLseph Stalin]

I think it matters that they're getting the message out. It's a song with a good message, however they still should not be playing it on some TV show for money. That just ruins the effect.

[Hit The North]

No offensive to their music, I even think they are quite good in what they do (pop punk rock), but to go on the American Idol, get good cash for it and sing "Working class hero"? I doubt they made it with any irony in mind, I think they are exploiting a great song here.


Well I think you may be under-estimating the band's intelligence. After all, they did pen American Idiot.


Nevertheless, all I wanted to point out is the funny fact where song meaning collides with the ambient where it has been performed.

Sure, I get that. I just think Green Day are probably in on the joke. On the other hand, John Lennon became a "working class hero" by becoming an international pop star, so maybe the song is more appropriate to the ambient than you think. Pop music, like sport, is one of the few avenues through which working class individuals can enrich themselves. Most of the contestants on American Idol are themselves drawn from the working class.

[Hit The North]

I think it matters that they're getting the message out. It's a song with a good message, however they still should not be playing it on some TV show for money. That just ruins the effect.

They've gotta make a living! Anyways, I bet Lennon made money out of it.

Besides, workers expect to get paid for the work they do, whether they're turning a lathe or playing a tune. Someone who does a job and then turns down the pay is no working class hero. A dupe is what he is.

[Picky Bugger]

Well I think you may be under-estimating the band's intelligence. After all, they did pen American Idiot.

Not sure what you are implying by this, I guess you're trying to say that American Idiot isn't filled with blatantly simple observations and crude lyrics. It's a poor song at best...

[Nils T.]

GG Allin couldn't come to do the job, so they asked green day...

[Hit The North]

Not sure what you are implying by this, I guess you're trying to say that American Idiot isn't filled with blatantly simple observations and crude lyrics. It's a poor song at best...

Whether you like the song or not is irrelevant. What is relevant is that the lyrics adopt a critical position towards those who control America - the media are mentioned as part of this. It therefore seems unlikely that Green Day are oblivious to the irony of singing Working Class Hero on American Idol. That's my only point.