Southern Man -vs- Sweet Home Alabama

Over the last couple of weeks, I've had the misfortune to hear "Sweet Home Alabama" way too many times. . .I even had to suffer through the movie of the same name on a charter bus. Okay, the movie wasn't all that bad. . .for a chick-flick, but that song. . .it just annoys me to no end.

"Now, Watergate, it doesn't bother me. . .does your conscience bother you, now tell me true"

Watergate certainly DID bother most of America. A president who lied, cheated, and stealed and then had the nerve to say "it's NOT illegal if the president does it".WOW - deja vu. . .

"Da-dant, da da da-dant da da da-dant. . .turn it OFF. . ."

But the line that REALLY pisses me off is the jab at Neil Young and CSNY: "I hope Neil Young will remember, southern man don't need him around anyhow".

You see, Neil penned a nice little song about racism and the good-old-boy system of doing things that prevailed in the south for far too long. And, instead of moving forward like most of their southern brethren, these asshats instead defended the very things that Neil (and the rest of America) was protesting by saying "phht! We don't need you and we'll defend a lifestyle that the rest of the country has atoned for and moved on".

When I see people rally around this song at taverns, wedding receptions, etc. . .it turns my stomach. I realize that the vast majority of people have no clue as to the true meaning of the song, and are merely reacting to the infectious guitar riffs and rallying cry. I have no problems at all with regional pride; but please pay attention to the lyrics that you are mouthing. You might be unpleasantly surprised by the sentiments behind a seemingly innocent and innocuous song. . .

"Southern Man"


Here's a video with clearer audio and a MUCH clearer representation of Neil Young's message:


Much like the very state of our democracy itself, successful results rely upon an informed populace. Whether in politics or music, look beyond the feel-good banners and Orwellian presentations and peer into the real message that's being imprinted into your brain. You know, in your heart, what is correct. What is fair. What matters. . .how you would want to be treated!