Here’s the Friday open comments post.
Today’s suggested topic is ‘liberty-themed music.’ What favorite songs of yours have liberty-oriented themes. For readers looking for a refresher of possible choices, the Libertarian Music Archive might be a good resource.
Last week, I asked if it might be a good idea to allow endangered species to be farmed privately and eaten, to boost their overall numbers. (The topic came from something I read about a restaurant that served lion burgers.)
I’ll start off a music choice with something lion-themed and liberty-themed this week: Born Free, from the 1966 film of that same name. It’s not my preferred music by style, but it is liberty-oriented, and follows last week’s lion theme nicely.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZHaQ3C3xQo
The use of pseudonyms and anonymous postings will be fine.
Although the comments template has a space for a name, email address, and website, those who want to leave a field blank can do so. Comments will be moderated, against profanity or trolls. Otherwise, have at it.
I’ll keep the post open through Sunday afternoon.
Hi John The Vogues recorded Five O’Clock World about getting away from a boring workplace at the end of the day. That is a kind of freedom for most people I know, me included.
Anything by Oingo Boingo — you posted Capitalism here once
Roger Dalrty sang Free Me with the Who can’t get a song more about freedom that someone who sings Free Me.
What kind of music do libertarians like?
Libertarian Drew Carey recorded a version of Five O’Clock World for his former televsion show.
For Oingo Boingo, I’d add Perfect System as another libertarian oriented song. Here are the lyrics:
I’m in love with you, I know
And I know that you love me too
I’m in love with you, I know
I’m in love with everyone too
We’re all comrades now, you know
We’re all brothers under the skin
With a few adjustments now
Living in the perfect system
The adjustment’s simple
There’s really no pain
You’ll hardly notice
Anything has changed
Living in a programmed life
Never really has ups and downs
There’s no need for fighting now
There’s no reason to wear a frown
A Perfect System
And there’s no confrontation
Unnecessary friction
To impede our concentration
We’ve simply done away with
Unnecessary friction
I live in a system
I’ve got an occupation
I get enough nutrition
By eating protein biscuits
Recommended by the system
It’s routine regulation
I had an operation…!
I’m in love with you, I know
And I know that you love me too
I’m in love with you, I know
I’m in love with everyone too
I can tell by the look
In your blank dull eyes
That you agree, but
I’m not a bit surprised
Living in a programmed life
Never really has ups and downs
There’s no need for fighting now
There’s no reason to wear a frown
I had an operation
With no adverse reaction
They tampered with my brain some
It helped me see the reason
For living in the system
It helped me see the reason
(We’re all brothers in a perfect world)
In a perfect world there’s uniformity
(We’re all brothers in a perfect world)
In a perfect world there’s continuity
(We’re all brothers in a perfect world)
There’s no need for spontaneity
Perfect system
We’re all brothers to the end
Brothers to the end
Brothers to the end
I know and I know that you love me too
(Brothers to the end) I know I’m in love with everyone too
(Brothers to the end) I know we’re all comrades under the skin
(Brothers to the end) I know living in a perfect system
BROTHERS TO THE END!
There’s no real libertarian music, by family of music. There are just songs — of any style of music — about personal or political freedom. Libertarianism’s about the proper role of government in society, and the sensible recognition that that role should be limited. Beyond that, there are all sorts of differences among libertarians — the most important views people have aren’t about politics, but matters of conscience, art, or beauty that should and must be free of political interference. Far from thinking that everything’s political, we see just the opposite — that some things are too important for politics.
the Star Spangled Banner is about defending freedom during war
Mr. Adams: my compatriots and I enjoyed a good-ol’ black-and-white chestnut, “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” and viewed it on The Fourth of July! You just can’t beat Jimmy Cagney hoofing it to “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy.” As for a sinister nod to freedom, A Tip ‘o the Phantom Stranger’s hat to the opening sequence and theme for the original TV series of “The Prisoner.”…”I AM NOT A NUMBER, I AM A FREE MAN!”
Cagney was a fine actor, with great range, and he was a favorite of my family when I was growing up. I saw many of his films when they were broadcast on television, and if they were on, they were sure to be on somewhere in the house, so to speak. I’ve rented them since, over the years, and they never disappoint. The Internet Movie Database has plentiful quotes and anecdotes about Cagney. James Cagney. He wasn’t just a tough guy, but funny, too.
The Prisoner, of course, has a memorable, frenetic opening, and captures really well the feeling of an individual battling collective, obscure forces.
Good stuff.
Free Bird!