The American Spectator

The Nation's Pulse

(Page 3 of 5)

I give Daniels pride of place here because he was first, by ten years, because of his emphasis on the reunification of America just as the Reagan presidency dawned, and because of that frantic ten-second Hammond organ solo.

7. If Ten Percent Is Good Enough For Jesus, It Ought To Be Enough For Uncle Sam -- Ray Stevens

There's little to add to a title like that. Stevens is a very clever satirist who made the mistake of mixing canned laughter into his songs. This one transcends the dated sound with a heartfelt plea for tax relief.

6. Whatever Happened to Randolph Scott? -- The Statler Brothers

A cute little comment in four-part harmony on the state of Hollywood. In the second verse, basso profundo Harold "Foghorn" Reid belts out:

blockquote>Everybody's trying to make a comment about our doubts and fears br> True Grit 's the only movie I've really understood in years br> You've gotta take your analyst along to see if it's fit to see br> Whatever happened to Randolph Scott has happened to the industry. /blockquote>

It's a good thing the Statlers have retired; one shudders to think what they have to say about Brokeback Mountain.

5. You Gotta Stand For Something (Or You'll Fall For Anything) -- Aaron Tippin

There are a lot of songs about standing up for what's right, which is not exclusively a conservative virtue. What is interesting -- and conservative -- about Tippin's song is its awareness of the consequences of important choices on one's family. The singer grows up poorer because of his father's integrity. But the father also knows that by standing up for what's right, he protects his family's good name, which is the most valuable asset he holds.

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