jackson@curium.DEC (Seth Jackson) (04/16/85)
> Now we are finding political messages in their song. I should have >said blatent political messages, I believe that their lyrics have always >been political in a positive sence all along, but on a alegorical level. >One of their latest songs, "Throwing Stones" is and obvious anti-nuclear >war song. I disagree with the statement that "Throwing Stones" is an anti-nuclear war song. The song is a commentary on the state of the world. It addresses poverty, greed, petty politics, selfishness, power, racism, war (conventional and nuclear), religion, and, most of all, unrealized human potential. I consider the Dead to be apolitical, even in light of songs like "Throwin' Stones". The purpose of this song is to raise awareness, to express alarm, and also to express hope. However, as always, they refrain from preaching any particular point of view. __ "Picture a bright blue ball a-spinning, spinning free... It's dizzying, the possibilities" Seth Jackson dec-curium!jackson
nm34@sdcc12.UUCP (nm34) (04/17/85)
In article <1688@decwrl.UUCP>, jackson@curium.DEC (Seth Jackson) writes: > > Now we are finding political messages in their song. I should have > >said blatent political messages, I believe that their lyrics have always > >been political in a positive sence all along, but on a alegorical level. > >One of their latest songs, "Throwing Stones" is and obvious anti-nuclear > >war song. > > I disagree with the statement that "Throwing Stones" is an anti-nuclear > war song. The song is a commentary on the state of the world. It addresses > poverty, greed, petty politics, selfishness, power, racism, war (conventional > and nuclear), religion, and, most of all, unrealized human potential. > > I consider the Dead to be apolitical, even in light of songs like > "Throwin' Stones". The purpose of this song is to raise awareness, > to express alarm, and also to express hope. However, as always, > they refrain from preaching any particular point of view. > Since I dont know all of the words to "Throwing Stones" I am not sure of the meaning or intent of the song. I get the feeling when I hear it that the song is an opposition to all of the wasteful aspects of our society as you describe above. Based of the refrain which is repeated throughout the song "Ashes, Ashes all fall down" I think the focus is the foolishness of our spending so much of our resources on nuclear and other weapons and not on the problems you describe above. I have to disagree with you when you say that the song is not political. I guess we are arguing about the definition of "politcal music". To me political music is music concerned with or opposed to government or societal policy. In this way the song is definitely political. I agree the Dead have traditionally been apolitical and I think that this song is a welcome change. - Andy Bindman