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Eminentoes
Rush vs. Rush
A Canadian rock group has its own disagreements with Mr. Limbaugh — should it be boycotted?
The slutroversy, initially between a thirty-year-old law student and a rotund radio host, now embroils the president of the United States, Sleep Train mattress retailers, the ladies of The View, and a certain Canadian power trio.
We always knew it would come to this: a copyright battle between Rush and Rush. Who guessed it would be over music and not brand names?
After indelicately pondering aloud what kind of a woman would demand free birth-control pills from her Catholic school, Rush the talk host launched into Rush the band’s “Spirit of the Radio” as bumper music. The overanalyzed controversy thus sparked a sideshow overlooked by all but the authors of the overplayed song. Rush is outraged to be associated with Rush. This is to say that the Canadians are mad at the Missourian. One likes to believe in the freedom of music, but Rush — the arena-rock staples — just won’t have it.
“The public performance of Rush’s music is not licensed for political purposes and any such use is in breach of public performance licenses and constitutes copyright infringement,” Rush’s legal representative Robert Farmer wrote Rush. “There are civil and criminal remedies for copyright infringement, including statutory damages and fines.” The lawyer added that “we hereby demand that you immediately stop all use of Rush’s music and confirm that you will do so.”
Like Limbaugh’s degrading comments, the legal missive would have been better left unsaid. Music acts wear meat dresses, puts spikes through their noses, and destroy their instruments all to get played on the radio. Rush — the “Closer to the Heart” guys, not the Excellence in Broadcasting one — exuding a nerdy regular guy vibe, have never really gone for such dramatics. But it’s hard not to see a public lawyer-letter ostensibly geared toward pulling their song from the radio as a clever PR stunt, too. The attention-grab echoes with the sounds of salesmen. And besides, radio broadcasters license such songs without forfeiting their speech rights, political or otherwise.
There is a flipside to “Shut up and sing!” that those invoking the sage advice rarely consider. Asking performers to mind their art and not our politics implies that the audience should mind the performer’s art and not the politics, too. People demanding that the government tell churches to pay for their contraceptives are perhaps incapable of limiting their politics. But this should come natural to advocates of limited government.
Wisely tuning out the political screeches of a Sean Penn or a Matt Damon drifts into idiocy when we also tune out their fine-crafted acting because of their poorly-developed political ideas. They sometimes make it difficult to see their characters through the haze of their very public political personae. But we should at least attempt to leave our own political baggage at the theater door — even if ideologically incontinent actors can’t do the same.
Liberals increasingly mistake ideological solidarity for funny (Bill Maher, Janeane Garofalo, Jon Stewart), get seduced by anti-corporate corporate marketing (Apple, Whole Foods, Starbucks), and view propagandistic films flattering their sensibilities as high art (Avatar, The Cider House Rules, The Kids Are All Right). We don’t defeat liberals by becoming them.
Taking political cues from artistic heroes makes as much sense as taking artistic cues from political heroes. This is a totalitarianism of the soul, in which politics dominates everything. Rush Limbaugh is the undisputed king of talk radio. But if you like listening to Manheim Steamroller because the man behind the mic that you like to listen to listens to Manheim Steamroller then you are truly sad. Dittoes, Megadittoes even, for Rush the band. The quality of their music isn’t influenced for better or worse because they have uncourageously swung at a talk show host once he has become a human piñata. Such endless compromises shatter the illusion of integrity. Alas, some entertainers are sluts for publicity.
It would be a shame if Rush’s musical boycott of Rush’s broadcasts leads to listeners of Rush (the AM talker) ceasing to be listeners of Rush (the FM rockers). “Red Barchetta,” “Subdivisions,” “The Pass,” and “Tom Sawyer” remain on the radio decades after we first heard them for good reason. The same is true of Rush Limbaugh.
Rush, like Rush, are very good at what they do. A boycott for a boycott leaves the whole world broke.
About the Author
Daniel J. Flynn is the author of Blue Collar Intellectuals: When the Enlightened and the Everyman Elevated America. He blogs at www.flynnfiles.com.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (171) | Leave a comment
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jppc| 3.9.12 @ 6:11AM
Wow, I have no idea what this column is about at all. BTW, Rush (the band), stink to high heaven. Pretentious, over-produced "art rock".
The American Hitman| 3.9.12 @ 7:46AM
Agree. If I heard any Rush (the band) on my radio, I would send the station a Cease and Desist letter. Fortunately, they get zero air time.
they suck
One if by land...| 3.9.12 @ 11:05AM
Agreed!
jomo2009| 3.9.12 @ 5:57PM
Ditto!
Kranke Hündin| 3.9.12 @ 8:54AM
Dude, you're so Fluked.
Vern Crisler| 3.9.12 @ 9:21AM
Is the band Rush still together? I thought they broke up in the 1980s. Now if the band Yes ever came out against radio Rush, wouldn't I have to say No to Yes?
Todd S| 3.9.12 @ 9:57AM
They broke up for a few years in the late 90's when their drummer Neil Peart suffered the tragedy of losing his only daughter in an accident and wife to cancer in short succession. They are probably the only hard rock band from the 70's that still performs at a very high level whether you like them or not, always the consummate professionals. I am surprised about this as they have always been identified as having a libertarian bent but they are a business entity. They were actually attacked by leftist media in the 70's as being right wing fanatics as Ayn Rand was an influence lyrically, see the songs 2112, Anthem and The Trees. This has made them a bit sensitive against such charges which might explain this legal action.
Grzmlyk| 3.9.12 @ 10:18AM
Like all aging rock bands, they did the fiscal math and realized there's more money - and vestigal prestige - in staying together as a nostalgia act than going forth individually as nearly-anonymous niche oddities.
I never warmed up to Rush (the band), despite their technical proficency. Nor Yes, for that matter. The 1970s trend in which heavy rock bands had to have frontmen whose voices sounded helium-altered really bugged me. The only guy who could pull that off was the great Robert Plant, who spawned countless imitators. At his best, Plant infused his high-pitched warbling with gutteral majesty marinated in visceral, authentic blues.
I also think Rush's music in its heyday was a little too self-consciously portentous and didactic, like later Kansas. IMHO, a good rock lyric is first and foremost about personal experience, not intellectual polemics. Good lyrics are also more poetic, more oblique and more succinct than Rush's strained philosophical exegeses.
Sorry. I appreciate that it's all about personal taste. And I know people think Neil Peart is just awesome. But that's another totem of the era that I could have done without; elaborate rock drum solos bore the crap out of me. I remember seeing ELP around this time - a band I did like, for the most part - and Carl Palmer did something like a 15-minute drum solo. I knew all the other adolescent males around me were in their testosterone-fueled glory. I tried, but after about six minutes, my reaction was, YAWN - maybe now's a good time to go to the bathroom.
Give me the Stones during their golden period (1967-1973) any day of the week. And yes, I think they, too, have traded on bygone glory for the last 20 years (except for a 2005 album which was actually pretty good).
Todd S| 3.9.12 @ 11:17AM
I think you are only thinking about Rush's early career as they have had a long and varied career. It was the 70's after all, in comparison to the likes of ELP, Yes (early 70's Yes is great stuff) or Genesis, they were quite direct. Their lyrics certainly moved in a more personal direction over their career. They are certainly not a nostalgia act like the Stones have been for decades. Rush fans always anxiously await their new album, when was the last time you could say that about the Rolling Stones?
It is easy to knock drum solos as pretentious and boring but Neil Peart has always made a point of making it dynamic and musical, at least in comparison to others. He certainly does not go on for 15 minutes and it is always one of the high points of a Rush concert.
The fact they are pushing 60 and can still play at an incredibly high level deserves respect and admiration. They never indulged in the drug groupie lifestyle and have always been family men, a true rarity in their business.
Grzmlyk| 3.9.12 @ 11:58AM
Well, as I say, it's about personal taste.
What can I say? I tried to like them. They didn't reach me. Neither does Bruce Springsteen.
The Stones 2005 album, A Bigger Bang, was eagerly awaited by fans, by the way. And, aside from a couple of very disappointing tracks that were pandering to the zeitgeist, there was some great stuff there.
And they put out about seven seminal albums that were either highly influential or considered artistic achievements or both. To this day, I don't think there's a more impressive run of albums by any band than "Beggar's Banquet," followed by "Let it Bleed," followed by "Sticky Fingers," followed by "Exile on Main Street."
It's kind of sad that Mick Jagger is pretty much a clown onstage and off, and, at this point, they're almost victims of their longevity and legendary status. People forget the raw sensitivity and poetic beauty of so many of their songs, their sincere assimilation of Chicago blues and the indelible guitar licks that typify so much of their work.
But many of my friends absolutely don't share my appreciation for the Stones. They roll their eyes when I wax rhapsodic about them (which I very seldom do!). Such is artistic taste.
BTW, I never said drum solos were pretentious. I just think they're tiresome - even the great Buddy Rich, whom I think remains without peer, could get tedious with some of his stuff.
Anyway, today I'm far more entranced by The Great American Songbook and folks like Sinatra, Mel Torme, Sammy Davis, Eydie Gorme, Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O'Day, Rosemary Clooney, et al.
J.C.Eaton| 3.9.12 @ 1:34PM
Grymz, hear, hear! You have dialed into an excellent explication of "The World's Greatest Rock and Roll Band,". Of course you're rght that this whole discussion revolves around taste{btw, I also agree completely with your take on drum solos...even 45 seconds of Sandy Nelson 55 years ag0 was ample for me].And yes, the last concert I went to[3-4] years ago had poor antedeluvian Keith restong repeatedly on Charlie's riser. Mick was probably gasping for air but held up pretty well. But at their best.....well, they were. Thanks, G
Grzmlyk| 3.9.12 @ 1:42PM
Glad to see a kindred spirit, J.C.!
Mick does hold up well - he's in great shape and, apparently, he wowed an audience a year or so ago at some awards ceremony.
I often wish he didn't do that drunken chicken strut and flailing British White Guy dance onstage - I get it, but it undermines the depth and sincerity of some of their greatest songs.
Todd S| 3.9.12 @ 1:39PM
Stones have some really good stuff no doubt but they have been living off that since 1980. I can appreciate the music regardless of how degenerate the musicians are. Yes it is personal taste but I think some things are objectively much superior. Warhol may be very popular and have a high value but Monet is far superior. Not saying Rush is superior to the Stones, more along the lines of celebrated mediocrities like Madonna and Dave Matthews. I think it is ignorant for someone to say Rush sucks like some have said because it is completely non-objective. They are actually very good whether you like them or not. For example Nickelback and The Black Eye Peas suck objectively speaking despite their high popularity, people who like them have bad taste pure and simple.
Grzmlyk| 3.9.12 @ 2:10PM
Well, I think it's all quite subjective, frankly. I mean, to say that "people who like" Nickelback and The Blackeyed Peas "have bad taste pure and simple" is an opinon, not an objective fact. I happen to agree with you wholeheartedly, but we can debate what constitutes quality. I talked to a pretentious classical musician once who dismissed Bach's music as being "cute." I happen to love Bach.
Warhol is interesting because he came along right when mass-market consumerism was hitting its stride with baby boomers and phony iconoclasm was the fashion. I believe his work says a lot about society at the time - is it on the level of Monet? Not in my opinion. But his goal was different. I believe that Warhol's work stands as an eloquent representation of that era, even if the artistic depth is not evident per se.
And don't forget, Picasso, a complete jerk, was pilloried when he embraced cubism.
In many ways, the true test of quality is time. I believe that, 100 years from now, the Stones will be acknowledged as giants of the genre and Rush will be an asterisk.
I think the Stones had some great stuff after 1980. It may not rise to the level of their golden period (and one album, Dirty Work, out-and-out sucks), but they definitely added to their oeuvre - in my opinon. I think almost every album they came out with after 1980 - with the above exception - had at least two and often three or four great - or very good - songs in the mix.
And the degenerate thing is vastly overstated - I mean, Toulouse-Lautrec was a degenerate, was he not? As was Mozart. Many felt that way about Van Gogh. Oscar Wilde was certainly an outcast, and Eugene O'Neill was a hopeless drunk. Ditto Fitzgerald.
Keith Richards is a hard living guy, no doubt about it, and his heroin addiction was a long low point in his life. And Wood is definitely known to have lived a dissipated life. But Watts and Jagger are actually pretty clean living and always have been. Jagger cultivated the degenerate image in the 60s to differentiate the "bad boy" Stones from the "good boy" Beatles but the truth is, he's a very disciplined person who was far more interested in cracking the British Upper Class than he was with being a degenerate even as he continued to play the role for mass consumption. The Stones rode that wave - but still created some very good, very heartfelt and sensitive music even at the height of the posing.
But you'll get no argument from me that Madonna and Dave Matthews are mediocrites!
Todd S| 3.9.12 @ 2:55PM
I stand by my remark that Nickelback and Black Eye Peas objectively suck and have no talent, just playing to the lowest common denominator of societal taste. Anyone who dismisses Bach like that deserves to be punched in the nose, guessing he is one of those who thinks anything with a strong melody is unsophisticated and simple minded.
My point is that art should not be determined by the morality of the artist itself but it is refreshing if the artist does display morality and seeks to uplift. I think to a certain extent the artists morality is reflected in their art though that does not determine its worth of course. Da Vinci and Picasso might have been reprobates but it is their sheer talent and genius of their work that matters to society.
Warhol was the best of the modern movement really and did have some talent, I just do not think he compares with the true masters. I am astounded by what people are willing to pay for Warhol but I cannot see it holding its value over the centuries like Monet and Van Gogh though it will certainly be representative of an era in art. I am by no means an art expert and you know more about it but that is my take on it.
I think you are right about Mick Jagger being very disciplined for the most part, part of his discipline was sleeping with as many women as possible. Certainly the Stones will be remembered among the greats but I think Rush will be remembered as well though not to the same extent. Certainly they
have a great deal of respect among musicians and they have a couple of albums that will stand the test of time as hard rock classics. They recently had a documentary movie released and their influence is much bigger than most people are aware of. Critics don't end up determining how artists are viewed in the end, remember that Rolling Stone constantly slammed Led Zeppelin but nobody gives a damn about that anymore.
Grzmlyk| 3.9.12 @ 3:21PM
I don't think you and I differ much. During a bout of insomnia recently, I watched a video of some concert Rush gave in the last 10 years or so. I agree, they are proficient musicians, no doubt about it - very professional. I don't think they suck.
But I do not relate to their music, as I don't relate to Springsteen - although I acknowledge he's a legitimate superstar.
I'm not really an art expert, either - and I think we're pretty close on Warhol. My point was only that, as a commentary on that era, Warhol's homages to a mass-produced, mass-consumed mass-media, disposable society say a lot about that society even though I wouldn't call it "art" per se.
And I love Monet & Van Gogh. Far, far more moving stuff than Warhol and for similar reasons to my objection to Rush, actually: Warhol is making an inadvertent point about the social mores of the world in which he lived, but there's no soul, nothing moving emotionally or personally about his work. The works of Monet and Van Gogh are highly personal depictions of an intimate and highly subjective interaction with reality.
Similarly, I think Rush comments on society (to the extent I am familiar with their lyrics, which isn't much), but, at least in its heyday of songs like Tom Sawyer and Temples of Syrinx, they weren't so concerned with depicting a personal struggle, an indivdual's experience of life's viscissitudes; they were making philosophical points (which I do believe are not all that profound).
I almost launched a pre-emptive comment about Jagger's promiscuous ways because I anticipated you might bring that up. It is true - he was self indulgent in many ways (and, incidentally, Warhol painted him several times, and a Warhol depiction of the Stones graces the cover to their 1977 "Love You Live" album).
But Mick was never the druggie he allowed people to think he was. As I say, my limited knowledge of his life is that he always wanted to be an upper-crust member in good standing in British society, was somewhat class-obsessed (being solidly from middle class roots) and felt the entire Stones venture was a means to a larger end.
In fact, he ran the Stones' business empire, had a tremendous amount of business savvy - and energy - and helped to change the way concerts are financed, rehearsed, promoted and executed.
And, as a solo act, Jagger pretty much sucks. His solo albums are kind of pathetic. But when he combines with Richards, he develops a depth, a sensitivity and, in spite of himself, demonstrates true artistry.
I do think Zeppelin was a truly great band, by the way. And, as I say, I agree that Nickelback and The Blackeyed Peas SUCK big time. But I know lots of people who would disagree!
Todd S| 3.9.12 @ 5:02PM
Well Mick achieved his goal of becoming a "Sir" though it seems like a ridiculous custom to me. Jagger has alot in common with Madonna when it comes to pure ambition though I certainly don't compare their musical output. Richards is definitely Mick's muse, lost musically without him. Speaking of Rolling Stone, I remember Mick had a solo album a few years back and they gave him 5 stars! Of course the album was lame and just goes to proves Rolling Stone is a joke.
The Stones have had a few good songs in the past decades but usually pales in comparison to earlier stuff. Time to hang it up I think, sad to see great bands of past become a pale shadow of their former glory. Think about the Super Bowl halftime show with The Who, not a pretty sight.
While I understand personal taste is hard to be objective about, I do think there is good art and there is bad or mediocre art regardless of popularity. Good art stands the test of time though you can argue about all day about what is overrated and underrated but usually that is in the spectrum of what is considered good. Mediocrity just fades away over time, no one is going to think about Nickelback in a generation other than wondering why they were so popular in the first place.
I have a great respect for your opinions really and love your writing style and certainly agree with you on most things.
cuban pete| 3.9.12 @ 3:45PM
G-Man:
There are a few drummers, all but one of whom is still alive, that should play a solo of over 32 bars.
That would be Rich, Louie Bellson, Sonny Payne, Joe Morello, Jo Jones, Paul Motian and Lewis Nash.
I was a "wedding band drummer" for about 40 years and one of my early mentors gave me invaluable advice. "People don't come to hear the drummer. Your job is to keep time and make the lead players sound good."
I would add Doris Day to your list of vocalists. Her reputation took a hit because of the Rock Hudson fluff movies but when she sang with Les Brown she was the real deal. Also, Carmen McRae and Peggy Lee are tied for first as the best pure jazz singers.
Have a great weekend.
cp
Grzmlyk| 3.9.12 @ 4:19PM
Hey, Cuban Pete!
First off, I'm no expert on drumming (wish I were!). I've read quite a bit 0f online arguing about who's the best among some of the more famous ones - Krupa, Rich, Peart, Palmer, Bonham, Moon, etc.
And I do love a good drum solo - 32 bars sounds about right, though, so your mentor was wise!
I thought I'd LOVE that Carl Palmer solo I saw back in '79 or whenever - all the guys in my circle of friends thought drum solos were the perfect marriage of macho and music. But I was BORED by Carl Palmer after a couple of minutes.
I happen to love Doris Day. In many ways. I think she was a very fine actress, a wonderful singer and, I have to admit, I find her incredibly attractive and sexy.
I love her in those movies, by the way. They might have been fluff, but they were enjoyable and she was box office gold there for several years. Ever see the movie "Young Man With a Horn," loosely based on Bix Beiderbecke, with Kirk Douglas, Doris Day and Lauren Bacall? Very good movie that's not that well known. She's wonderful in it.
I'm not that familiar with Carmen McRae - I've seen her name on my XM radio at times, but haven't really delved into her music. I do love Peggy Lee. That genre of music does for me today what head-banging to The Who did for me back when I was 19!
I have to admit, I haven't heard of Bellson, Payne, Morello, Jones, Motian or Nash - what were their various genres of music?
cuban pete| 3.9.12 @ 5:09PM
Bellson, an Italian guy from Rock Island Illinois played with Ellington, Goodman and sat in frequently with Doc Severensen on the Johnny Carson show. He and Rich had a great drum battle one night. Jo Jones was with Basie and was followed by Sonny Payne. Joe Morello was Dave Brubeck's drummer who is famous for playing unusual time signatures. "Take Five written in 5/4 time even reached the pop charts in the late 50's-early 60's.
Paul Motian was Bill Evans' drummer and went on to play with a number of great modern jazz artists.
Lewis Nash is alive and kicking and working in New York. He has worked with a lot of great contemporary players such a tenor sax man Joe Lovano.
I can't say enough about Carmen, who we lost a few years ago- life long heavy smoker.
She had a behind the beat style that is unmatched although most critics rank Sarah Vaughan and Ella ahead of her. Check her out on You Tube.
Rock is not my favorite music but Carl Palmer has great chops as does Steve Gadd of 50 Ways to Leave your Lover fame.
USSAlabama| 3.9.12 @ 3:04PM
Don McLean wrote of the Stones in American Pie:
"So come on Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
'Cause fire is the devil's only friend
And as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage
No angel born in hell
Could break that Satan's spell
And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite
I saw Satan laughing with delight
The day the music died
He was singing
Bye, bye Miss American Pie "
So don't give them TOO much credit.
As for (the band) Rush, these lyrics:
"There is trouble in the forest,
And the creatures all have fled,
As the maples scream "Oppression!"
And the oaks just shake their heads
So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights.
"The oaks are just too greedy;
We will make them give us light."
Now there's no more oak oppression,
For they passed a noble law,
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw."
Go figure.
As for (the band) Rush, maybe not so much credit for them either.
Grzmlyk| 3.9.12 @ 3:37PM
Well, I think Don McLean is excellent, and American Pie is an excellent song.
But it was written in, what, 1970? It speaks to the sea change that was occurring in music, and McClean's affection, obviously, for the more anodyne 1950s.
And it's a valid point of view. But he's talking about the Stones in a larger social context and, I have to say, he's ignoring the fact that many of their songs were about the evanescence of beauty and the aspirations we have of finding purity in a very flawed world.
In fact, Sympathy for the Devil is often mis-interpreted as being about Satanic worship. It is not. It is about the fact that evil has always been with us and will always be with us because it is mankind - human nature - that is the source of evil, not some mythic creature with horns and cloven hooves or some exogenous entity that sullies an otherwise perfect universe of good people. That's the point of that song.
McClean is a true artist, and he certainly has a right to his opinion of the Stones - but that opinion is not the final arbiter as to whether they deserve credit or not.
Besides, it's only rock and roll, but I like it.
2012| 3.9.12 @ 3:42PM
ATTENTION ALL PEONS OF THE AMERICAN STATES UNITED
ATTENTION ALL PEONS OF THE AMERICAN STATES UNITED
ATTENTION ALL PEONS OF THE AMERICAN STATES UNITED
WE ARE ASSUMING CONTROL
WE ARE ASSUMING CONTROL
WE ARE ASSUMING CONTROL
Grzmlyk| 3.9.12 @ 3:52PM
By the way, I can't say I love the construction of the Rush lyric you cite, but, the way I read it, it is an indictment of socialism, and, to that extent, I say, bravo, Rush!
USSAlabama| 3.9.12 @ 5:35PM
Do a search and read the lyrics for the whole song. Quite a few of their songs reflect this attitude. That's why I say "Go figure".
What was their real issue with Rush Limbaugh?
Rich D| 3.11.12 @ 10:14PM
Rather pretentious blather. I'm betting that he got the idea for 'the day music died' from William Byrd's elegy for Thomas Tallis: "Tallis is dead and music dies."
the halfrican| 3.9.12 @ 3:34PM
Jim Morrison drove his van to Van Morrisons gym
cuban pete| 3.9.12 @ 4:20PM
When he got there he found out he could not hold Van's jock strap.
Grzmlyk| 3.9.12 @ 4:28PM
True dat, Cuban Pete: I'm a big Van Morrison fan. :-)
USSAlabama| 3.9.12 @ 5:36PM
Also.
Doctor Right| 3.9.12 @ 11:49AM
I never liked RUSH...the band, not the guy from EIB.
They are the musical equivalent of an Obama speech...over-hyped, pretentious, boring, and lacking in substance.
en know these fools were still working. I thought they went out of style with the end of the 80's, along with leggings, mullets, and the Morton Downey, Jr. Show.
They should be glad for the free publicity that Rush is giving them on his show every day. Rush has 20 million listeners...RUSH, not so much.
Occam's Tool| 3.9.12 @ 11:56AM
Dr Right, might I STRONGLY recommend that you watch the MST3K version of "The Final Sacrifice" this weekend, available on Netflix streaming video. A magnificent skewering of "the worst thing to ever come out of Canada," it is something that you will greatly enjoy, sir, of this I am sure. Among the terrible things mentioned from Canada in this MST3k episode (my Better Half and I own all episodes) is something called "Ed the Sock," as well as "Rush."
Occam's Tool| 3.9.12 @ 11:57AM
I seem to recall high school classmates of mine joking about the band "Rush" as "headrush," if I recall.
Bob Grant| 3.9.12 @ 12:43PM
Sounds like he/she was Dazed and Confused!
Occam's Tool| 3.9.12 @ 11:52AM
Well, I don't know about you, but "Glittering Prizes and Endless Compromises, shatter the illusion of Integrity, yeah."
These guys did the theme to Bob and Doug McKenzie's movie, for crying out loud.
Bob Grant| 3.9.12 @ 12:50PM
Catch the witness, catch the wit. Catch the spirit, catch the spit ...
Man, In high school I thought these lyrics HAD to mean something more than it's literal meaning.
I spent years pondering it's hidden message only to discover there was none.
It was DRINK YOUR OVALTINE all over again!!!
RUSH, you bastaaaarrrrddddddsss.
Grzmlyk| 3.9.12 @ 1:36PM
"DRINK YOUR OVALTINE."
Love the allusion!
A sadder but wiser Bob Grant emerged.
I love supposedly deep lyrics that dissolve like cotton candy in water upon any real scrutiny. I mean, remember Styx? Tee hee.
albert constantine jr.| 3.9.12 @ 2:15PM
"Too much time on my hands" certainly seems to reflect on my own posting habits.
Grzmlyk| 3.9.12 @ 2:26PM
:-)
Bob Grant| 3.9.12 @ 3:03PM
A Styx reference and not a single mention of Mr. Roboto...yet!
Gentlemen/Ladies let continue this fine work!
Brad| 3.10.12 @ 11:02AM
Mr. Roboto is the number 1 reason why I HATE Styx... One of the all-time WORST songs.
As far as Rush (the band) wanting Rush (the King of Talk Radio) to not play their music as bumpers, as long as they're not being hypocrites (not allowing libs to use it either), I don't see a problem.
Todd S| 3.9.12 @ 1:44PM
Looking for deep meaning in song lyrics is a losing exercise, read poetry if you want that. The Trees has some good meaning though, especially in these days. The Democrat Party is comprised of maple trees wanting to cut down the oak trees in the name of equality.
Grzmlyk| 3.9.12 @ 2:34PM
I think there is depth to song lyrics - but it's generally of a very personal nature, not an intellectual point being made.
The simpler the truth being conveyed, the more resonant the lyric. That's why old-style blues are often so moving. they're simple phrases and very repetitive, but there's a naked honesty there the gives them depth.
Just one example from the Stone's "No Expectations:"
"Our love was like the water that splashes on a stone
Our love was like our music - it's here and then it's gone"
and
"Your love is like a diamond - you throw your pearls as swine
And as I watch you leaving me, you pack my peace of mind."
Simple. Heartfelt. Profound. The evanescence of passion beautifully rendered.
At least in my opinion!
skip| 3.10.12 @ 1:35AM
G - So help me I read your post and these lyrics just popped in my head. I figure it's at least partly your fault. You left 'Goats Head Soup' off at the end of that seminal run of albums 'Beggars Banquet', 'Let It Bleed', 'Sticky Fingers', and 'Exile On Main St'. That string of albums still holds me in thrall. In the interest of full disclosure I'll admit I have a soft spot for 'Some Girls'. Every act went disco insane for awhile there and dabbled in it, even the Stones. Only the Stones got away with it, in my opinion anyway, with that album. Solos, I liked 'Wandering Spirit' album by Jagger, and both of Richards X-Pensive Winos albums "Main Offender' but even more so 'Talk Is Cheap'.
Anyway these are the lyrics that popped in my head reading your post about heartfelt, profound music by the Stones:
"One night I was dancin' with a lady in black
Wearin' black silk gloves and a black silk hat
She looked at me longin' with black velvet eyes
She gazed at me strange all cunning and wise
Then I saw the flesh just fall off her bones
The eyes in her skull was burning like coals"
The evanescence of passion beautifully rendered, as only the Stones can render!
albert constantine jr.| 3.9.12 @ 2:14PM
Perhaps the decoder ring spelling out "Drink More Ovaltine" is actually second place in the Major Award category.
Bob Grant| 3.9.12 @ 3:10PM
Come on Al,
You know you wanted one of those leg lamps. All the way from Italy 'cause it Fragile.
albert constantine jr.| 3.9.12 @ 3:29PM
Accent on the last syllable.
Seek| 3.9.12 @ 6:16PM
Dude, you're brain is underproduced. Rush rocks and always will.
Alan Brooks| 3.9.12 @ 6:47PM
"Rush rocks and always will."
They are much more talented than Nugent the Wholesome and his two-chord 'Cat Scratch Fever'!
Alan Brooks| 3.9.12 @ 6:44PM
Flynn,
Limbaugh CHOSE the bumper music, it was his choice. The bumper music has become part of EIB, and Limbaugh is responsible, not the band who composed the music.
Rush can of course pull the music off, but then he has to answer why it is he chose it in the first place if he represents the old timers who choose carefully. That is to say Limbaugh could have chosen Ravel, Mozart.
Or an excerpt from a Rightist "composer". Ted Nugent, the free market author of Cat Scratch Fever and other songs about 'Sweet Poontang', comes to mind.
Alan Brooks| 3.9.12 @ 6:50PM
You guys don't have Reagan, WFB, Goldwater,
so now you are reduced to pettiness.
Bumper music, ferchrissakes! what next, arguing over belly button lint?
Conservatism must be foundering; rightist pettiness takes its place.
Alan Brooks| 3.10.12 @ 9:38PM
Zappa is still the 'best', as he made dozens of at least competent albums to choose from.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 3.9.12 @ 6:12AM
Isn't the purpose of a boycott to disengage from people whose behavior you don't approve of?
There are thousands of rock records. Boycotting idiots won't bring the world to an end.
Doctor Right| 3.9.12 @ 1:39PM
I can't boycott RUSH because I've never purchased one of their crappy albums in my entire life, nor do I intend to.
In other words, it's not a sacrifice.
Alan Brooks| 3.10.12 @ 9:41PM
"In other words, it's not a sacrifice."
But Limbaugh must think it is or he wouldn't have used their track. Perhaps Limbaugh- or his former/current engineer has better taste than you?
Mike Hawk| 3.9.12 @ 6:24AM
Were you smoking something when you composed this drivel?? What your point is is as obscure as the faded rock group you are themed on. BTW, if you knew anything about El Rushbo, you'd know his rotund days are far removed from his current state, I don't deal in boycotts either. I never listened to anything that rock group did and the first time I heard of Rush, it was Tom Rush', a now 'retired' folk rock singer. Tom Rush is pretty much a liberal, but he does not stick his nose where he isn't wanted and his music is still worth listening to.
Big Tony| 3.9.12 @ 10:29AM
I always liked Tom Rush I had one of his LP's "Wrong End of the Rainbow" I think was the title maybe it was just one of the songs on it. But I'd just as soon listen to finger nails dragging across a black board as listen to the band Rush. I'd should think Rush the radio talker would be happy to drop Rush the band from his radio show. I know I would be if he did. I don't care what their political leaning are they are arguably the worst band of all time. I rarely ever hear their crap played any longer on the air waves and for that I am truly grateful.
Mike Hawk| 3.9.12 @ 11:46AM
"Wrong End of the Rainbow" was a good album. Featured David Bromberg on pedal steel guitar (Bromberg and Pee Wee Charles - two of the best on that instrument). Wrong End of the Rainbow was cut #1 and had stuff written by Jesse Winchester and James Taylor. It was just good folk rock listening music without the crass politics of protest music. Saw Tom Rush in 'concert' once. It was a good show. No glitzy back up band and props, just a good performance.
benny havens| 3.9.12 @ 6:54AM
Rush should tell the sagging jowl trio to go pound sand and instead play America the Beautiful sung by Ray Charles.
The American Hitman| 3.9.12 @ 7:49AM
hahaha,
that guy (?) in the center of the Rush band photo looks like he's been auditioning for parts in the next Harry Potter movie
JimmyMac| 3.9.12 @ 9:12AM
And wasn't the guy on the right in the TV show "24"?
albert constantine jr.| 3.9.12 @ 10:39AM
My thoughts exactly "When did Kiefer Sutherland join Rush?"
Doctor Right| 3.9.12 @ 11:51AM
They even look like snarky Canadians.
Is it their air of moral superiority (Greenpeace, Dude! Yuh, like save the whales! Recycle!), or the evident lack of UV-rays in their pasty, middle-aged complexions??
Bob Grant| 3.9.12 @ 3:33PM
My only concern about the pic is why MUST men take on feminine features when they age?
With the exception of John Wayne and a few others, this tends to be the case.
Will we all transform into Bea Arthur at some point in our lives?
Dick Nome| 3.9.12 @ 10:07AM
Peter Pan Syndrome did not expire with Michael Jackson, I see.
Douglas Fletcher | 3.9.12 @ 6:55AM
This article has a lot of clever plays on the silly lyrics in Rush's songs, but I would be more interested in the legal aspects of this. Is there actually such a thing as licensing music for political purposes?
Brad| 3.10.12 @ 11:04AM
I always thought that anyone could use up to a certain amount of a song (20 seconds?) without needing to apply for permission.
Appleby| 3.9.12 @ 7:10AM
Since when has anybody in America cared what Canadians think about anything? Especially faded elderly rock band Canadians whose main venues today is government-run casinos?
The only identity Canadians have is the continued scream that We Are Not Americans. Just ignore them. If you have to answer such sputterings, just say "Who cares?"
c. j. acworth| 3.9.12 @ 7:40AM
Now now, Appleby, that was uncalled for I think. I've known several Canadians in my life, and they have all been unfailingly polite, easygoing folks who bear the US no grudges in spite of the fact that we invaded them twice (or is it three times) in or history. They are even willing to build big pipelines from our shared border all the way to the Gulf so we can share (for a reasonable fee) in the natural bounty of their oil sands. If they would just quit sending us Canadian cold fronts all winter long, they would be the very salt of the earth.
Elias| 3.9.12 @ 11:30AM
Appleby knows what she speaks, CJ. She is (or became..) one herself.
We care what you think, Appleby. Say on, even if you are Canadian, sort of.
Doctor Right| 3.9.12 @ 11:53AM
I have a good buddy from Australia who spent a year living and working in Canada.
He liked Canada, but the Canadians drove him nuts. He described them as "uptight, morally self-righteous, PC wankers."
Occam's Tool| 3.9.12 @ 11:59AM
I went to residency with a Canadian. Exactly right, Dr.
Occam's Tool| 3.9.12 @ 11:59AM
By the way, that also applies to Kiwis. Ask your Aussie pal.
Brian Mc| 3.9.12 @ 7:31AM
I used to love the band back in my high school days. Saw them live at their zenith, around the time of "Farewell to Kings" album and thought it to be one of the best shows I ever witnessed.
Then
Babies started to come along and I stopped my recreational drug use.
With that said, I would still recommend my grandsons give "2112" a listen.
John - TMF| 3.9.12 @ 8:29AM
Never did the drugs. Did do Rush though.
"Red Barchetta" is turning out to be interesting prophesy, as the autonomous vehicle becomes probable, and driving will be something done on closed circuit courses like amusement park thrill rides.
I just chalk it up to A) artistic need to be paid attention to, must be a big Rush live concert coming and the "buzz" is desired. B) Rush L. is quintessentially American, Rush the band is opportunistically Canadian. When foreign touring, it is always good to be "NOT American"
- Appleby old chap, there is a pun in there somewhere
Rush the Band was always very libertarian, with a streak of agnostic stirred in to spice up the anti- whatever brew.
If Rush the Talker hadn't been so newsworthy, the band might have just accepted the penny or so for the bump, and moved on.
Free Pub Baby!!! Free Pub!
-TMF
Shiori| 3.9.12 @ 7:45AM
When they have some harsh words to say about misogynists on the left, and treatment of Islamic and Chinese women, then I might take them seriously. They only appear to be worried about looking cool by net wanting the big bad conservative dude using 10 seconds of one of their songs. Pretty Petty, Getty.
Richard Baker| 3.9.12 @ 7:53AM
There's a band named Rush? Wow, man! What instrument does Limbaugh play?
Bobloblaw| 3.9.12 @ 8:09AM
When it comes to art and entertainment, conservatives are simply unable to make anything other than asses of themselves. For proof look no further than the above posts.
The American Hitman| 3.9.12 @ 8:14AM
what are you, a Rush groupie? don't you have a Star Trek Convention to dress up for?
Occam's Tool| 3.9.12 @ 12:02PM
I dunno, Bob:
"Emotional feedback on timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price, almost free
All this machinery making modern music
Can still be open-hearted."
Does that sound particularly "open-hearted" to you, Bob, what Rush did to Limbaugh?
Richard Baker| 3.9.12 @ 8:13AM
Bobloblaw:
Obviously, satire to make a point escapes you, doesn't it?
Yougenic | 3.9.12 @ 8:26AM
Me too. I also like the Taliband - Great tunes. And... oh by the way - which one's Pink?
Bob Grant| 3.9.12 @ 12:37PM
Have a cigar you're going to go far...
Yougenic | 3.9.12 @ 8:24AM
Getty Lee's voice is like nail on a chalkboard to my ears. The sooner Rush drops them the better IMO.
Doctor Right| 3.9.12 @ 11:54AM
I think it's "Geddy"...
Bob Grant| 3.9.12 @ 1:44PM
Maybe what he meant to say was that his voice is like Gettysburg...very painful, tortuous.
I'm just puttin' it out there.
Seek| 3.9.12 @ 6:19PM
His bass playing, however, is universally acknowledged to be among the best ever recorded. And bass is very hard -- more so than guitar -- to do right while singing live.
albert constantine jr.| 3.9.12 @ 8:29AM
Regarding the style of this particular article, sometimes the desire to sound hip overwhelms the desire to be coherent.
Somewhere in the article I think Mr. Flynn is saying that politics needn’t taint the arts and entertainment we choose to enjoy, and that might not be a bad point.
I must confess that the night John Lennon was shot, I was in the Spectrum in Philadelphia enjoying a performance of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. My fandom decreased over the years, though, every time I heard the “Boss” speak regarding any issue that didn’t involve music (though his lyrics should have clued me into his politics). As such, it was with great amusement that I read of the study recently that posited that listening to Springsteen made white people more racist than listening to hip hop. I am sure a self flagellating album by Mr. Springsteen doing Nebraska to a rap beat will follow as his penance to maintain his lefty creds.
Doctor Right| 3.9.12 @ 11:58AM
I can't stand Springsteen, and I used to love him.
Aside from his idiotic and sophomoric political views, his music just sucks.
It's boring, and practically cliche'. He's always pounding away at the same, repetitive themes - "America sucks...it's cold-n-lonely out here...outlaws are kinda' cool", and my favorite "Hey, lookit me! I'm from Jersey!"
He's practically a Vegas lounge act, now.
Frankly, if he'd been hit by a car and died after "Darkness on the Edge of Town" he'd have been a legend like James Dean.
As it is, he's more like Eddie Wilson from "The Cruisers"...
albert constantine jr.| 3.9.12 @ 12:12PM
Eddie Wilson had the good sense to fake his own death and slip away (only to become John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band).
Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 3.9.12 @ 8:41AM
Get over it Rush (the Band)!! It gets so old, listening to these musicians always siding with the Left's ideology and goals. They do realize that maybe half their audience (many more?) don't share their political beliefs, and don't want too? I love Rush, and this won't change that, they've made some of the most complicated rock music ever, and I'm doing my best to try to learn how to play bass like Geddy Lee (or at least my version of playing bass like Geddy Lee?). But shut up for once, we don't want to hear about you stupid politics, we just want to listen to your stupid music!! I used to love Springsteen, Sting, Mellencamp, but I became to aware of their politics, and now when they come on, I turn them off, and I don't but their new albums, and I don't go to see their shows, and that's a shame!! They were good!! Now they're annoying!! I hope Rush doesn't join them!!
Todd S| 3.9.12 @ 10:12AM
I don't think it is fair to compare Rush to the likes of Springsteen, Sting or Mellencamp politically speaking. Don't know if you are aware or not that Rush has taken alot of abuse from left-wing music critics for decades due to the influence of Ayn Rand on early albums. I am not sure of the actual legal issues involved but I think this has made them sensitive to being associated with Rush the host considering having the same name. Not saying I like it but lets not throw them in with the pinko activist types so common in the music industry. Btw, they do have a new album coming soon which should be excellent based on a single they released last year for it.
GrayC| 3.9.12 @ 3:41PM
BRAVO!! My sentiments exactly, why do they think we are waiting breathlessly to hear their politics? It ruins everything forever. Same thing for Hollywood. For crying out loud, so you can act, doesn't mean I want to hear you spout your liberal crap. Shut up already!
Seek| 3.9.12 @ 6:22PM
A couple dozen people making statements off camera does not an agenda make.
G.S. Patton| 3.9.12 @ 8:44AM
Rush, (the AM guy) just needs to enlist some Ted Nugent (The Motor City Madman) tunes for a little AM play; I doubt uncle Ted will have a problem with "political licensing." It would be the perfect compliment, as I drive down the highway to engage in evil capitalism with customers, listening to Rush (the AM guy), with my .45 in the console. God Bless America.
albert constantine jr.| 3.9.12 @ 9:03AM
Excellent point. I was never much of a fan of Ted's music until I heard him speak. After that, suddenly "Cat Scratch Fever" became a much more rockin' tune in my view.
G.S. Patton| 3.9.12 @ 9:52AM
LOL True..... as I own a lot more Rush (the Canadians) material than I do Ted's; Let's face it, Cat Scratch Fever or Wango Tango is not the epitome of musicianship; and Geddy Lee and Neil Peart are the best at what they do, love 'em or hate 'em. I rely on Rush when I want to listen to technically precise bass lines or percussion arrangements. I rely on Ted, to stick it up Bill Maher's a$$, and other fools of the sort. Its all a salad bar, and you take what you want and leave the rest.
Occam's Tool| 3.9.12 @ 12:03PM
Yes, but "Cat Scratch Fever" and "Wango Tango" are much more emblematic of Rush's show.
The Tedster is awesome.
Bob Grant| 3.9.12 @ 1:47PM
It's Ze Wango Ze Tango!!!
Let's get it right...heh ;-)
Brian Mc| 3.9.12 @ 1:55PM
"Got you in a stranglehold baby...you best get outta the way..."
Jay| 3.9.12 @ 9:00AM
Wow. It was bad enough that TAS commenters have it in for Ron Paul, now they have it in for RUSH???
Rush (the band) has consistently used libertarian themes in their music for decades; you don't have to be a Philosophy major to see the links between songs such as "Anthem" and the Ayn Rand book of the same name. I suppose it's more indicative of the social conservative bias of Spectator readers than anything else.
Truth is, Rush has always prohibited the use of their music for anything other than entertainment purposes. It has nothing whatsoever to do with their being "dirty hippies" or "Dirty Canadians".
Dick Nome| 3.9.12 @ 11:38AM
Ron Paul is a kook and no conservative. Nobody has it in for him, they just aren't gioing to elect him to POTUS.
Clint| 3.9.12 @ 12:37PM
" In January 2008, Viguerie launched http://www.ultimateronpaul.com, a website designed to promote the 2008 presidential candidacy of U.S. Congressman Ron Paul, whom Viguerie described as "truly a principled conservative in the grand tradition of Robert Taft, Barry Goldwater, and Ronald Reagan" and who "has differentiated himself from all the other candidates, whose allegiance is to Big Government Republicanism."
The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To A Brokered Convention.
Dick Nome| 3.9.12 @ 1:19PM
Your crackpot despised all three of those men. He quit the Republican Party for the Libertarians and trashed Reagan in his exit speech. You want us to believe your cut and paste??? Har, har, har.
Clint| 3.11.12 @ 9:02AM
You're A RINO-CINO Phoney Conservative Flunkie Stooge & Your Mommy Knew Exactly What To Name Ya.
Dr.Ron Paul,
“There is no credibility left for the Republican Party as a force to reduce the size of government."
“That is the message of the Reagan years.”
Paul explains the contrast between embracing Reagan now and considering him a failure in 1987 as a result of his frustration with the former president’s vision versus his actions. “The message was great,” Paul said during a Sept. 7 debate. “But the consequence, we have to be honest with ourselves, it was not all that great.”
The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To A Brokered Convention.
C. S. P. Schofield| 3.9.12 @ 9:24AM
I don't care what band, how good they are, what their country of origin may be. If a musician doesn't want to be associated with the brand of politics Mr. Limbaugh espouses (with which I usually sympathise), they have a right to not be so associated. The band Rush is in the tight on this one. Which doesn't necessarily put Mr. Limbaugh in the wrong, unless he wilfully continues to play their music on his show.
But then, politically, I'm a Crank. I'm the sort of nut who believes that the words Under God do not belong in the Pledge of Allegiance for the simple reason that the man who wrote the thing didn't put them there.
Dmac | 3.9.12 @ 9:35AM
I'm thinking Rush ( The Band), should just get back in the shade of the oak where they belong.
Now, just how many of Rush's songs have a political tone to them????? Many, so isn't this a bit hypocritical of them? Yes. Looks like nothing more than a tantrum on their part.
Skip| 3.9.12 @ 9:38AM
Rand Paul received a "cease and desist" from Rush, but the letter to him was much less milquetoast.
I loved the Rush lyric references (you guys who think they suck...well, SUCK!), but does this stream of conscience stuff pass these days?
The overwhelming fact you missed, Mr. Flynn, was that Rush management only learned of Limbaugh using Rush's music because......a Glue Huffing Post blogger tattled.
In effect, we get the left whining about music being politicized....by politicizing it.
Elias| 3.9.12 @ 11:55AM
I too, loved the lyric references. I kept looking for one from my favourite, "La Villa Strangiato", but...
Oh, wait...
Paul| 3.9.12 @ 1:03PM
The hypocrisy of it is that Limbaugh has used this particular bump (Spirit of Radio) for literally decades; and this certainly isn't his first highly public controversy, so why go after this now? Sounds like the band (or their management or lawyers) are trying to milk a little cheap publicity in a hopeless attempt to stay relevant (and I have been a fan of the band for a very long time, so I am not a hater of the band, I'm just stating a reality).
Another bit of irony between Rush the band and Rush the man that I haven't seen mentioned yet; back in 1993 the band was attacked as closet-Limbaugh fans as one of their songs (Cut to the Chase) included the line "The Way Things Ought To Be", which just happened to be the title of Rush's first best-seller book that was released a year before the song was released. I don't remember how that played out but thought it was worth mentioning.
Todd S| 3.9.12 @ 1:56PM
Any Rush fan knows they have one of the most loyal bases of any group and are certainly not desperate to stay relevant. See the DVD they released from Cleveland last year and see if they are still able to draw a large audience and deliver the goods. In fact they have huge audiences around the world, not long ago drawing a crowd of around 60,000 in Brazil.
I made the point earlier that the band is sensitive to being labeled as right wing fanatics due to their association lyrically with Ayn Rand in their early days. With their name and history, they just decided after this controversy to not to want to be associated in anyway with Limbaugh. It is a name brand thing more than anything, not saying I agree with it really but it is understandable in its context.
Seek| 3.9.12 @ 6:27PM
Around 15 years ago, Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders laid down the same gauntlet when she got wind of Rushbo using a snippet of her "My City Was Gone" for his fadeouts. Sorry, conservative purists, but it's HER song, like her politics or not. I don't dig her politics either, but if Rush wants to use a song, let him write one of his own. See how easy it is.
Rush, the band, is right on principle. Copyright does matter.
Liberal Point Of View| 3.9.12 @ 7:00PM
Duly noted this date.
Nick| 3.9.12 @ 7:47PM
What is your point, Seek?
Rush never stopped using My City Was Gone over that kerfuffle. It still remains the intro-music at the top of every one of the three hours of Rush's show, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year.
It's practically his theme song. I'll bet that more people recognize that song today because of Rush's show, than do those who know it's a Pretender song from the late 1970's.
I haven't heard Chrissie demanding its removal during this latest failed attempt to bring down El Rushbo.
Have you?
Mike Hawk| 3.9.12 @ 8:52PM
Chrissie Hynde didn't care that Rush used it for his intro theme and said so. She kind of liked the idea though she isn't a Rush listener, or wasn't then. She said go ahead, use it.
Seek| 3.12.12 @ 5:01PM
I'm fully aware that Hynde's campaign against Rushbo went nowhere -- something she admitted (in a pissed-off mood) when I saw the Pretenders in concert back in 2000. Amazing, isn't it, how posters to this site are so ready to project motive onto someone else's words.
squalis| 3.9.12 @ 9:39AM
Anyone know what Beethoven's political views were? Just wanted to know if I should continue to listen to Opus 125.
albert constantine jr.| 3.9.12 @ 9:54AM
A couple of decades ago I was enjoying the ripe aromas in the market at Pohang in South Korea on a summer afternoon. As a trash truck was making its rounds, it was playing “Immortal Beloved” on its loud speakers as a way to alert the customers to have their refuse ready as they approached.
If asked, I think Beethoven might say there are other ways to trash music beyond politicizing it.
Doctor Right| 3.9.12 @ 1:41PM
According to Clint, Beethoven was a supporter of Doctor Ron Paul...
Seek| 3.12.12 @ 5:05PM
Finally someone here gets it. An artist's political views, whether Left or Right, aren't the central issue. I'm so sick of that "I'm gonna boycott this guy" mentality.
da monk| 3.9.12 @ 9:59AM
Regarding the Fluke controversey and Conservative Rush Limbaugh admirers: Allow me to paraphrase Shakespeare's Hamlet, "The Conservatives doth protest too much, methinks"
Brad| 3.10.12 @ 11:07AM
No, you Liberals protest too much.
We conservatives are laughing at you.
Zombie Reagan| 3.9.12 @ 10:16AM
The gist of what’s wrong with Limbaughism is that it’s right-wing Rousseauism. That is, he believes that man is born free, but is put in chains by the government. He believes in living without limits is the essence of conservatism, which is just … crazy. If traditional-minded conservatives know anything, it’s that human nature is fallen, and there are natural limits that must be respected. Conservatism is a form of humility. I see none of that in Limbaugh and what he stands for. - Rod Dreher
Grzmlyk| 3.9.12 @ 10:33AM
When did Limbaugh EVER say that "living without limits is the essence of conservatism?"
Come on, put down the crack pipe.
betwyan| 3.9.12 @ 10:43AM
Rod Dreher - limp-wristed, pseudo intelelctual clap trap.
Butch| 3.9.12 @ 3:26PM
Agreed. David Brock in the making.
albert constantine jr.| 3.9.12 @ 11:01AM
ZR;
So this is what you're posting under today, huh?
I remember reading Rod Dreher’s work a decade or so ago, when he referred to himself as a “Crunchy Con”, i.e. someone who ate granola, shopped at Whole Foods and hung around lefty elitists, who otherwise considered himself conservative. If humble is as humble does, an example might also include not trying to himself define an overarching concept such as conservatism to the exclusion of another, whilst claiming the basis of the exclusion is the other’s lack of humility.
While I likely am part of the vulgar mob in his view, I prefer to let the marketplace determine whose vision of conservatism is more desirable or palatable.
Grzmlyk| 3.9.12 @ 12:06PM
If this clown referred to himself as a "crunchy con," he's either a complete phony, a poseur or a fool. Perhaps all three.
Shopping at Whole Foods is God's way of telling you you are a narcissist unworthy of your inflated salary.
Certainly his assessment of Limbaugh's take on conservativism is wilfully ignorant, fallaciously reasoned and tendentiously expressed.
He's probably a "journalist." After all, those are the top three qualifications for becoming an op-ed writer at the New York Times.
Dick Nome| 3.9.12 @ 11:34AM
I defy you to find a statement by Rush that veries any of that. You are choosing to believe what others tell you and that is your problem.
Zombie Reagan| 3.9.12 @ 2:22PM
Rod Dreher, winner of the award for best conservative writer in America ever.
Bob Grant| 3.9.12 @ 3:51PM
I'll bet you dollars to donuts Rod Dreher has never listened to the show.
How about refraining from parroting Mr. Dreher and YOU give an example of Rush pushing for living without limits?
PCP Smoker| 3.10.12 @ 12:12AM
Crunchy Conservatism-guy!!! That skinny creep still makes me laugh. His whole theory of moving into the ghetto, wearing birckenstocks, doing something with flour, and buying fair trade/organic coffee from a little shop reminded me of the environs of a leftist cooperative. If Dreher is Conservatism, then I'm with Whittaker Chamber in describing oneself as a "man of the right."
Seek| 3.12.12 @ 5:08PM
National Review published his original "Crunchy Con" idea as a cover story back in 2003. Does that make National Review a liberal publication?
Grzmlyk| 3.9.12 @ 10:32AM
While I think Rush remains an unparalleled commentator on the chess game that is politics, and the best articulator of basic conservate values in the public arena, I've NEVER enjoyed listening to him, even though I force myself to. He is very often a courageous defender of reality when other, lesser conservatives have long since fled for the tall grass.
However, when he's not making a cogent point he's often puerile - and always obnoxious. Yes, I know, that is shtick. But I don't like it.
Nevertheless, he remains an essential arrow in the increasingly empty quiver of conservatism.
His taste in music, however, sucks. Manheim Steamroller is soulless CRAP.
Petronius| 3.9.12 @ 10:43AM
Oh dear. A hand full of burned out rockers got a ration of crap from their libtard friends and fans, so dissociation is called for. Rush always says, "if you live your life being scared about what others think of you, they're in control, not you." But I don't listen for the music bumps. He's right 99.6% of the time. But what really infuriates liberals is that Conservatism is a vicissitude opposed to their quest for rootless hedonism without consequence. Try as they will, those Copybook Headings can not be obliterated.
gearjammer| 3.9.12 @ 10:51AM
Is this really more intesting than the national debt ? We are goi
ng broke and people know more about the cost of the pill than the reckless costs of government. This is true due to the genuis of that " unparalled commnetator on the chess game of politics " And, Rosie Odonell is an unparalled super model". you're nuts.
Ron| 3.9.12 @ 12:18PM
I think I will jump in on this one...I do like both Rushs'
Rush, the band, has been together in it's current format since at least 1970...And, except for a few classic guitar and piano lessons, they are truly self taught musicians. If you have ever seen them play live, the guitar work is amazing, and unlike many of their rock contemporaries, they have invested well, stayed mostly sober and drug free, and are well off. They do not have to tour, but they do because they enjoy music...Having said that, I wish to heck they and other foreigners (like Sonny Bono's son Bono..A little joke there) would stay out of our political processes.
As to Mr. Limbaugh, he called it right...Ms. Fluck (maybe she should just drop the e and l in her name) is really a skank...
Bob Grant| 3.9.12 @ 12:35PM
RUSH (the band) needs to understand where their bread gets buttered.
Liberals DO NOT listen to RUSH (the band). They despise RUSH (the band).
Don't you think it's odd why RUSH never made it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Liberal rock journalists vote on who goes and who stays out.
They hate RUSH (the band) because of their Ayn Rand and objectivist messages in their songs. The mainstream media hates Rush for those very same reasons.
If RUSH (the band) was smart they'd just stay out of this debate and quietly collect whatever checks they receive from Excellence in Broadcasting.
Stupid Musicians!!!!!!!!!!!
PCP Smoker| 3.10.12 @ 12:16AM
I wouldn't go that far. Plenty of liberals like Rush (the band). This notion that they are some type of conservatives band is just not so. Peart, generally, writes songs to bring up imagery, not to expound on conservatism.
Bob Grant| 3.10.12 @ 10:13AM
Au contraire,
Just a hint of going off the bandwagon gets you black listed. I didn't necessarily suggest the band members are conservative - more than likely far from it - but many of their songs were indeed anti-collectivist which will get you black balled and labeled as an "un-serious" band.
It's the music industry's little way of keeping bands in line.
Tootsie| 3.9.12 @ 1:18PM
Your music stinks so who cares, Rush is better off without your song!
Dan Phillips| 3.9.12 @ 1:20PM
I had heard that Rush were libertarians/Randians. I see John - The Mighty Trot agrees with me. The lyrics to their song "The Trees" are quite commendable to both libertarians and conservatives.
http://www.sing365.com/music/L.....BF003287D4
There is unrest in the forest,
There is trouble with the trees,
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas.
The trouble with the maples,
(And they're quite convinced they're right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light.
But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made.
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade.
There is trouble in the forest,
And the creatures all have fled,
As the maples scream "Oppression!"
And the oaks just shake their heads
So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights.
"The oaks are just too greedy;
We will make them give us light."
Now there's no more oak oppression,
For they passed a noble law,
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw.
Doctor Right| 3.9.12 @ 1:43PM
That doesn't sound like Conservatism OR Libertarianism to me...
Sounds like a clarion-call for "Equality-of-outcomes" social engineering spearheaded by the grievance industry...
Todd S| 3.9.12 @ 2:00PM
You don't get the fact that the song is clearly a criticism of that belief system and that Rush was clearly influenced by Ayn Rand in their early days. In fact they have a song called Anthem that is a direct homage to the book of the same name written by Ayn Rand. And their breakthrough album 2112 was directly inspired by Ayn Rand with a science fiction bent.
Dan Phillips| 3.9.12 @ 3:08PM
Doctor Right, the song is satire, like Animal Farm.
sam| 3.9.12 @ 1:33PM
RUSH ...THE band???...never heard of them...and I haven't like Rush's opening music for quite some time now...oh well...what's the loss of that music? none that I can see...the band must be trying to get some publicity..
Stan Redmond| 3.9.12 @ 1:51PM
Honestly. Did Rush the band even know or really care they were used on a bumper on Rush Limbaugh's show? I am guessing they had no idea and didn't care one way or another. Gotta love lawyers.
littleroundtop| 3.9.12 @ 2:34PM
I, too, like both Rushes (I guess that's the plural). Legally, I don't think Rush (the band) has a leg to stand on. I think The Pretenders tried the same thing years ago and failed utterly. Rush (the man) uses one of their songs as bumper music, too. Musicians sell their licensing rights to ASCAP which in turn sells licenses to broadcasters. The broadcasters can use the songs for just about any purpose. Hey, its all in the name of freedom of expression!
Petronius| 3.9.12 @ 2:34PM
Right Stan. And their press agent wanted to get paid this month.
Resist We Much! | 3.9.12 @ 2:41PM
The next time that any Prog starts screaming that Sandra Bell is a "private citizen" so it is different, here ya go:
She appeared at the “Catholic Students for Women’s Health” press conference on 9 February 2012 at the National Press Club where she expressed support for Obama's contraception mandate.
She waived any "private citizen" claim she might have had long before she "testified" before Maerose Prizzi's kaffee klatsch.
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/304345-1#
martin j smith| 3.9.12 @ 3:53PM
The whole idea behind the LEFT's vulgarity is to de-humanize the opposition. That is the jist of it. I think the lack of forceful reposne from the Republican Establishment is criminal and the bru ha ha about Rush's comment about The slut is like an example of Look who is calling the kettle black. Onr more thing. If the Establishment Republicans called Obama out on the host of his destructive policies and actions ( which they very often do not ) they would at least show they had the old cajones. But there rarely utter a peep.
glenny| 3.9.12 @ 5:23PM
Would love to hear Rush (Limbaugh) play some Ted Nugent. I think the "Nuge" would have NO problem with Rush L playing his tunes.
glenny
spy| 3.9.12 @ 6:05PM
Peter Gabriel also pulled his music from Limbaugh's show. (Rush had played Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" song while commenting on Fluke).
PCP Smoker| 3.9.12 @ 11:56PM
It does bother me that (Canadian) Rush pulled this little stunt. It seems so frivolous and childish. But, Flynn makes a good point, let's just ignore the immature act. Limbaugh is near, but not, perfect, and so are Getty, Neil, and Alex. To both Rushes, let's keep rocking.
Dipesto| 3.10.12 @ 1:19AM
Re Beethoven's political views: he had some ideas of equality and world brotherhood, but had an entourage of upper class fans of his in Vienna, and buddy buddied with Hapsburg Prince Rudolph, who got a Cardinalship through family influence. An author I read called Lou von B. a "proto-democrat." He may have been such, but the Vienna police kept spies following him and reporting on his political opinions he kept mouthing. On another tangent: Rush was the name of a boy in the old time radio comedy Vic and Sade.
Dipesto| 3.10.12 @ 1:23AM
word error: "but the Vienna police..." should be "and the...police..."
percynjpn| 3.10.12 @ 1:51AM
What?! This is one of those odd articles where you can read it three times, and still have NO IDEA what the point is - very poorly done, and unworthy of being posted on this site. Pathetic. . .
pk mclively | 3.10.12 @ 3:12AM
We are a movement of men, women, conservative, liberal, black, white, brown, yellow, gay, straight, spiritual, religious, christian, jews, musilum, all who believe that Rush Limbaugh as a leader in this industry has set the line too far, but now has finally crossed it.
We won't tolerate the rhetoric of hate any longer. There is the 99% but then there is the 51% - and the 51% control the money in 85% of the households. So whether you sell jewelry, vacations, cars or lawn mowers, chances are we are making the decisions about who, where and how much to spend. We will boycott sponsors - any and all - who advertise on Rush Limbaugh's show. There are hundreds of sights like ours that will provide anyone with the information they need to contact local sponsors. http://stopthewaronwomen.wordpress.com/ DON'T UNDERESTIMATE US.
albert constantine jr.| 3.10.12 @ 10:29AM
Clearly, you have overestimated your spelling ability, or I have to be reeducated as to who the "musilums" are on your "sight".
I hope pointing that out doesn't make me a "hater".
MarkR| 3.10.12 @ 11:33AM
What a moronic group. I guesss your mantra is "COEXIST" right? You will be long disbanded while Rush goes on another 20 years. Guaranteed.
martin j smith| 3.10.12 @ 7:41AM
Let the Free Market determine what happens. If people do not like a product or the people producing a product so be it. Get it ?
Fredx| 3.10.12 @ 10:00AM
Lemme see. What are the words? How can I express this? Oh yeah, WHO CARES?
MarkR| 3.10.12 @ 11:31AM
Stupid article. Stupid reasoning. If I dont want to listen because they got an extra wrinkle around their eyes I will stop listening. I met Jane Fonda once at a filming at my job in 1980-she was kind. She still is a rotten commie bitc-. I dont watch her movies. Is she a good actress- maybe. Do I consider myself deprived because I dont watch her movies? No. In the marketplace are whole varieties of performers and a whole plethora of reasons both to and not to watch them. When they behave as this group does I choose not to. Culturally deprived? Dont think so, but even if so its my choice and usually always worth it for me. The author is talking through his as-.
RS| 3.10.12 @ 5:56PM
Apparently Rush (the band) forgot to read their SESAC licensing contract which SPECIFICALLY allows for the work to be used for talk radio bumper and background use.
Diane Breitbart| 3.10.12 @ 7:15PM
Rush the band... not so much over played as over rated.
Scott Walker| 3.11.12 @ 12:43AM
Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee and Neil Peart are incredibly accomplished musicians, super-hard working, very focused on their fans, and have managed to sustain a commercially successful career for over 30 years in a business that is usually about the next big thing. Rush Limbaugh is an ignorant bigot who makes a king's ransom performing as a colorful idiot for his oligarch masters. He promotes corporate fascism while rapping himself in the American flag. It's very blunt and obvious propaganda if you get news from anywhere else besides Fox and Beck, and yet a segment of the country falls for it. I guess there are always plenty of suckers.
albert constantine jr.| 3.11.12 @ 9:45AM
I would guess that someone posting at 12:43 a.m. on a Saturday night/ Sunday morning on the date of the lost hour due to the DST switch probably isn't likely to have the kind of problems that either Rush has. Perhaps everyone else at your "Occupy" camp site has drifted off to sleep.
I believe in the context of your remarks on Mr. Limbaugh, perhaps you meant "wrapping" instead of "rapping" (unless el Rushbo has a hip-hop lyricism in his delivery that I am unaware of ).
As far as corporate "fascism", I believe Mr. Rockford said that better than I:
Rockford (James Garner): What can you do, lady?
Sky Aquarian (Valerie Curtin): My consciousness doesn’t lend itself to problem solving likes yours does, okay. I’m into an alternative lifestyle. I’m a seeker after truth. What’s so wrong with that?
Rockford: Your alternative lifestyle comes out of someone else’s pocket. You mooch, you borrow, you hardly work. Anyone who doesn’t go along with it is a fascist…all that love and freedom is another way of saying ‘me first’.
Sky Aquarian: I’m not into structured living or accumulated things. I’m into my consciousness.
Rockford: You’re practically unconscious 24 hours a day. What you’re into is having someone else do your thinking for you.
squalis| 3.11.12 @ 1:16PM
Rush are super-hard working, very focused on their fans, and have managed to sustain a commercially successful career for over 30 years ina business that is usually about the next big thing?
If that is your standard for congrats, I think you owe Rush Limbaugh some kudo's as well.
And I suspect in another 10-15 years, or so, you would be required to do the same for Fox.
Dipesto| 3.11.12 @ 3:36AM
Supposedly back in his college days Limbaugh was told that Hippies and Communists wore jeans--so RL has not worn a pair of jeans for 40 years. But his radio episode in which he revealed what the lyrics to Louie Louie actually are is a classic of Radio.
jdc| 3.12.12 @ 11:46AM
I love Rush.
Seek| 3.12.12 @ 5:11PM
So do I -- the band.