Ed Campaigning for Barack Obama Options

[Merica]

Just watched both videos. Ed sounds great in them both.

[Pokey]

Nader blows.

Then I'm sorry to say you're about to be turned on.

[Existentialist]

The only thing turning here is your mom who's turning tricks down at the corner on my watch.

[bsidenation]

Don't really care about whther politics and music get mixed, but come on changing the lyrics to Imagine. Now that is unholy.

[LiveRoCkS77]

The only thing turning here is your mom who's turning tricks down at the corner on my watch.

That's not true. My stomach is turning after hearing about this bullshit. I won't even disgrace myself by listening to it. Utterly disgusting.

[Pokey]

Careful lads, we'll get a slap on the wrist soon for going off topic!

[Merica]

Don't really care about whther politics and music get mixed, but come on changing the lyrics to Imagine. Now that is unholy.

Got to admit, whilst I think Imagine is a catchy tune, I don't get why it's held in such high regard, so much so that changing the lyrics is "unholy". It is one of the preachiest songs ever (artists get their balls stamped on for being preachy), littered with cheese and to be honest, sang by someone who is one of those guys who's terribly over-idolised due to them being dead which suddenly makes them a GENIUS LEGEND OMFG.

Catchy tune, changing the lyrics wasn't the best decision maybe, but not as bad as some are making out. He altered the words a little to make the song relevant to the cause - big whoop.

[Badman]

Got to admit, whilst I think Imagine is a catchy tune, I don't get why it's held in such high regard, so much so that changing the lyrics is "unholy". It is one of the preachiest songs ever (artists get their balls stamped on for being preachy)

I'm pretty sure Lennon was highly regarded from his work with the beatles and it just carried over. He didn't have to die for the song to be good.

I have never heard of preachy being bad. I prefer it. Who wants to hear a stupid love song all the time?? When the preaching matches your own views, the song is even better. A good lot of people like the words of Imagine and hate to see them changed. Ed was wayyy better when he was preachy so I actually prefer my songs to talk about something intelligent instead of SFBM tripe.

[Nedra]

Frankly, it just freakin' blows my mind that Ed would endorse ANY politician.

[LiveRoCkS77]

Got to admit, whilst I think Imagine is a catchy tune, I don't get why it's held in such high regard, so much so that changing the lyrics is "unholy". It is one of the preachiest songs ever (artists get their balls stamped on for being preachy), littered with cheese and to be honest, sang by someone who is one of those guys who's terribly over-idolised due to them being dead which suddenly makes them a GENIUS LEGEND OMFG.

Catchy tune, changing the lyrics wasn't the best decision maybe, but not as bad as some are making out. He altered the words a little to make the song relevant to the cause - big whoop.

Song is not preachy whatsoever. The title of the song speaks for itself. What if somebody sang a song saying "imagine all cars didn't run on gas!" Would that be preachy too?

Also saying he's being idolized for being dead? I'd expect something that ridiculous coming from Badman but not you. Lennon is one of the best songwriters ever to walk the face of this earth. I like you somewhat but to be honest, I think it's your post that's littered with cheese. Imagine is a good song that's extremely well written.

[Merica]

Song is not preachy whatsoever. The title of the song speaks for itself. What if somebody sang a song saying "imagine all cars didn't run on gas!" Would that be preachy too?

Also saying he's being idolized for being dead? I'd expect something that ridiculous coming from Badman but not you. Lennon is one of the best songwriters ever to walk the face of this earth. I like you somewhat but to be honest, I think it's your post that's littered with cheese. Imagine is a good song that's extremely well written.

I know he's talking about "imagning" things, but I've always thought that the idea of this wonderful life we could have, and how he's telling us all about it as if he already can live without possesions, imagine no heaven etc etc; just seems overly preachy. Like he's already up on that high road and we have to try to join him. I don't especially mind, it's just always struck me as a preachy song, and it seems he never gets called on it whereas other artists have been picked at for being preachy. Hell, maybe that's because he isn't preaching, and I read too much into the song, or just took it the wrong way. Maybe so, probably so, perhaps.

Also, I didn't mean that he was idolised purely for being dead, but his stock went up. I can't really talk about him as a songwriter because I'm not greatly familiar with his or the Beatles work (bar a few bits and bobs here and there). But yeah, regardless of my ideas on the content itself, the tune is very catchy. The only other thing wrong with it is Yoko in the video.

[LiveRoCkS77]

I know he's talking about "imagning" things, but I've always thought that the idea of this wonderful life we could have, and how he's telling us all about it as if he already can live without possesions, imagine no heaven etc etc; just seems overly preachy. Like he's already up on that high road and we have to try to join him. I don't especially mind, it's just always struck me as a preachy song, and it seems he never gets called on it whereas other artists have been picked at for being preachy. Hell, maybe that's because he isn't preaching, and I read too much into the song, or just took it the wrong way. Maybe so, probably so, perhaps.

Also, I didn't mean that he was idolised purely for being dead, but his stock went up. I can't really talk about him as a songwriter because I'm not greatly familiar with his or the Beatles work (bar a few bits and bobs here and there). But yeah, regardless of my ideas on the content itself, the tune is very catchy. The only other thing wrong with it is Yoko in the video.

I can surely respect that point of view.

But my take on it is actually fairly simple. Just Imagine a better place. Maybe in his own mind he WAS already there. I've written several pieces of literature along the same lines.

In my own mind, I'm ashamed tobe part of this species. Completely fucking embarassed and disgusted. I don't feel like I belong here amongst a race bent on destroying itself. I could go on and on about it but I wouldn't want to get preachy on it.

As for Lennon never getting called on it? I think a lots has to do with the hippie generation being his main followers. The biggest part of it though is that there was nothing wrong with what the man preached. He sent out a message consisting mainly of love and peace. What's wrong with that? Isn't he as entitled to write about those things as any other writer is entitled to write about their shit? Love and peace are relevant things to be discussed and preached. If they were preached more and more to our children, the world most likely wouldn't be the crime ridden fucking shithole it is.

Some artists such as Ed K himself get belittled for preaching this very same message. I say fuck those people, don't like it, don't listen. Seems society has a problem today with people talking about these things and I find it fucking abhorrent. People are so hung up on themselves that they aren't willing to stop anymore to see anybody elses point of view. As long as you're not forcing it on anybody who cares?

I have great respect for these bible thumpers who try to spread their message. Sure it's not right when you tell some you're not interested and they persist. But I still admire their faith and values. I fucking outright admire their commitment to try and make the world a friendlier and more loving place. But with music, nobody is forcing you to listen. Each artist has every god damned fucking right to put their message out there in hopes of reaching people who care. In hope of reaching some people who need to be reached.

People are just so fucking sensitive and willing to attack somebody. And for what? Trying to spread a message of peace and love? What a great planet. People seriously make me fucking sick with their self righteous bullshit. But when it comes to those very people voicing their own opinions??? Don't anybody DARE tell THEM they can't!!! They have every fucking constitutional right just like everybody else!!! Fucking hypocrits, people utterly digust me.

[Merica]

In my own mind, I'm ashamed tobe part of this species. Completely fucking embarassed and disgusted. I don't feel like I belong here amongst a race bent on destroying itself. I could go on and on about it but I wouldn't want to get preachy on it.

We can be a pretty shit race. The world described in Imagine is lightyears away, possibly (and sadly) too far to ever reach.

As for Lennon never getting called on it? I think a lots has to do with the hippie generation being his main followers. The biggest part of it though is that there was nothing wrong with what the man preached. He sent out a message consisting mainly of love and peace. What's wrong with that? Isn't he as entitled to write about those things as any other writer is entitled to write about their shit? Love and peace are relevant things to be discussed and preached. If they were preached more and more to our children, the world most likely wouldn't be the crime ridden fucking shithole it is.

Yeah, things were different back then I suppose. A man could spread the word of love and peace and not be trampled on for being over earnest about goodness. Really, sounds like a better time. We're not loving enough these days, too much doom and gloom.

Some artists such as Ed K himself get belittled for preaching this very same message. I say fuck those people, don't like it, don't listen.

Yeah, this was/is one of my main grievances. I remember reading reviews of Live's work and seeing the lyrics called over earnest and preachy etc, and just thinking that there was a little bit of a double standard going on. Some great, uplifting songs of Live's were being called that, but then supposedly one of the greatest ever written (Imagine) could, as I described, also be interpeted as preachy. I guess I took it a little to heart being a Live fan, but if it's okay for one, shouldn't it be okay for another?

People are just so fucking sensitive and willing to attack somebody. And for what? Trying to spread a message of peace and love? What a great planet. People seriously make me fucking sick with their self righteous bullshit. But when it comes to those very people voicing their own opinions??? Don't anybody DARE tell THEM they can't!!! They have every fucking constitutional right just like everybody else!!! Fucking hypocrits, people utterly digust me.

It's a complicated world, where I don't think anyone can ever be totally unhypocritical and perfect etc. Maybe that's the beauty of the world, the imperfections we behold showcase the dynamics of our kind. We're all different, different thoughts, feelings, ideas, emotions. Spreading the message of love SHOULD be something we all embrace, ideally. But sadly, for some reason, we don't.

[+Ed+]

I doubt most people would even know who the bald guy with the guitar singing for Obama even is now.

Honestly celebrities and politics drives me nuts. I understand it's to get publicity and trying to get more people involved but seriously. Who gives a fuck what someone with a better voice than me is voting for in an election, I want to hear more from the person actually involved in the election. Same with over here, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd holds the 2020 meeting and all we hear about is how Cate Blanchett will be there, so fucking what?

Either way I'm not liking Ed jumping on the band wagon, I suppose every bit of exposure for Live helps, but honestly. If he thinks he's doing his part for bringing attention to Obama then that doesn't say much for how much faith he/celebrities have in him if they don't think he can win the election without him. Then again i'm sure there are idiots out there that will vote for him because Oprah says so.

I might not be American, but give me Ralph Nader, if you don't turn on to Ralph Nader, he's going to turn on you.

I bet it is just the fact that he got payed. As simple as that. And anyway there are zounds of Live fans who will now go and vote Obama. Imo.

Got to admit, whilst I think Imagine is a catchy tune, I don't get why it's held in such high regard, so much so that changing the lyrics is "unholy". It is one of the preachiest songs ever (artists get their balls stamped on for being preachy), littered with cheese and to be honest, sang by someone who is one of those guys who's terribly over-idolised due to them being dead which suddenly makes them a GENIUS LEGEND OMFG.

Catchy tune, changing the lyrics wasn't the best decision maybe, but not as bad as some are making out. He altered the words a little to make the song relevant to the cause - big whoop.

It is a John Lennon song. I think this says it all...

And I still have to read Luke's post... Too hard now for my trembling after the football mind...

[+Ed+]

Read it. Luke, if I ever am in Canada, expect me for a good drink.