Tuesday, October 05, 2004
And he said "Hey kid, you think that's oil? Man, that ain't oil, that's blood"...
So I finally get around to writing about this. It was so big, I don't think I have the words. It was... monumental. It's like in the movie Contact where Jodie Foster's character says they should have sent a poet to describe the things she sees. The Vote for Change tour was in Philly on Friday, and yes, Fogerty played "Centerfield". And yes, he used his baseball bat guitar. It was like a little bit of Branson, Missouri, in South Philadelphia. Fogertywood. He looked like he was having a great time. And I think if you apply a formula of political metaphor to the song, it was quite an apt choice of song:
Quid erat demonstratum, motherfucker.
Also, some other stuff happened. R.E.M. and Springsteen played. Springsteen came out and sang on "Man on the Moon", Stipe sang on "Because the Night". Michael Stipe on his knees, shaking his fist in front of Springsteen as Bruce soloed. Fogerty sang on "The Promised Land". Everyone came out and did "Proud Mary", "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding", and "Power to the People". Mills and Buck came out and played on "Born to Run" while Michael stood off-stage, pumping his fist.
Whew. A nipple-hardening, pants-tightening experience. You haven't heard "Centerfield" until you've heard it live.
Anyway, R.E.M. played great, but played the wrong songs. "Leaving New York" and "Animal"? Zzzz. "Final Straw"? Snore. "She Just Wants To Be"? Sleep-inducing until Peter uncoiled a messy, exciting solo that he usually reserves for "Country Feedback". In Cleveland, they had a better set list, which chaps my ass. They get "Life and How To Live It"? Not fair. And Springsteen sang on "Bad Day" too? Son of a bitch.
And Springsteen, what else can be said? "Lost in the Flood", "No Surrender", Johnny 99". Though I don't understand his need to play "Youngstown" every goddamn time I see him. Even Fogerty was great; "Deja Vu (All Over Again)", off his new album, was actually a really great song and "Fortunate Son" was absolutely amazing. Although it's hard not to think of Wrangler jeans when you hear the song anymore. Bastards.
"Put me in coach, I'm ready to play/ Today/ Look at me/ I can be/ Centerfield"
Whereas:
Me = John Kerry
Coach = The American voting public
Centerfield = The Oval Office
Quid erat demonstratum, motherfucker.
Also, some other stuff happened. R.E.M. and Springsteen played. Springsteen came out and sang on "Man on the Moon", Stipe sang on "Because the Night". Michael Stipe on his knees, shaking his fist in front of Springsteen as Bruce soloed. Fogerty sang on "The Promised Land". Everyone came out and did "Proud Mary", "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding", and "Power to the People". Mills and Buck came out and played on "Born to Run" while Michael stood off-stage, pumping his fist.
Whew. A nipple-hardening, pants-tightening experience. You haven't heard "Centerfield" until you've heard it live.
Anyway, R.E.M. played great, but played the wrong songs. "Leaving New York" and "Animal"? Zzzz. "Final Straw"? Snore. "She Just Wants To Be"? Sleep-inducing until Peter uncoiled a messy, exciting solo that he usually reserves for "Country Feedback". In Cleveland, they had a better set list, which chaps my ass. They get "Life and How To Live It"? Not fair. And Springsteen sang on "Bad Day" too? Son of a bitch.
And Springsteen, what else can be said? "Lost in the Flood", "No Surrender", Johnny 99". Though I don't understand his need to play "Youngstown" every goddamn time I see him. Even Fogerty was great; "Deja Vu (All Over Again)", off his new album, was actually a really great song and "Fortunate Son" was absolutely amazing. Although it's hard not to think of Wrangler jeans when you hear the song anymore. Bastards.
