Billy Joel Keeps It Real

Filed Under current affairs, music, nostalgia, people

I can offer no explanation of my fondness for John Mellencamp’s music … years ago when I was a 15 year old I didn’t even know any adults who listened to him, but for whatever reason, there was a connection to this prickly Midwesterner’s songs. Well, John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last month, and he was introduced by another great American singer songwriter, Billy Joel.

Of course, being a native New Yorker, I couldn’t help but know about Joel, and oh … the days when you could actually hear him on the Top 40 radio station. Back when it was okay for a “pop star” to be in their 30s, or chubby, or balding, or singing things that would never play in a night club. But now I’m starting to sound like an old grump muttering about the “good ole days.”

Here’s an excerpt from Joel’s introduction; another reason why he and Mellencamp are all right in my book.

Don’t let this club membership change you, John. Stay ornery, stay mean. We need you to be pissed off, and restless, because no matter what they tell us - we know, this country is going to hell in a handcart. This country’s been hijacked. You know it and I know it. People are worried. People are scared, and people are angry. People need to hear a voice like yours that’s out there to echo the discontent that’s out there in the heartland. They need to hear stories about it. [Audience applauds] They need to hear stories about frustration, alienation and desperation. They need to know that somewhere out there somebody feels the way that they do, in the small towns and in the big cities. They need to hear it. And it doesn’t matter if they hear it on a jukebox, in the local gin mill, or in a goddamn truck commercial, because they ain’t gonna hear it on the radio anymore. They don’t care how they hear it, as long as they hear it good and loud and clear the way you’ve always been saying it all along. You’re right, John, this is still our country.

(transcription courtesy of Wikipedia.org; video available here - this excerpt is from the last 2 minutes of the clip)

Comments

4 Responses to “Billy Joel Keeps It Real”

Anisah on April 22nd, 2008 1:52 pm

Midwife? What have I missed? Inquiring minds wanna know! Are you going to hear the pitter patter of little feet soon? I forgot to put you on my Google blog reader.

Hugs!

Anisah
hafidha sofia on April 28th, 2008 12:11 pm

Anisah - Yes, I am - as the saying goes - preggers. I am due in late September, and in the last three weeks my stomach has started to balloon. I am really showing now!
Anisah on April 28th, 2008 5:04 pm

Congrats! Post some belly pics

Anisah
Debbie on April 29th, 2008 4:16 pm

BJ is awesome! Though I never was much of a Mellencamp fan, I gained new respect when I saw him play with the Boston Pops on the Esplande on July 4th. He played “Our Country” (of course) and since I knew a few weeks ahead that he’d be there, I had time to study and learn the song.

Congrats on the pending new family addition. Being a mom is definitely the verybesthardestworstmostmeaningfulweirdest job you’ll ever have!