The United Nations, much like the League of Nations before it, is a thieves den where the imperial powers go to divide their filthy loot. It is a rubber stamping organization designed to give legitimacy to the military crimes of the imperial west while at the same time denouncing the right of developing countries to defend themselves and actually develop.
@upadaria Cuba doesn't carry out mass killings of its people, and the killings in Nicaragua were by right-wing contra forces trying to dislodge the Sandinista government- the FSLN overthrew a dictator, formed a democratic interim government, won two elections, only lost the third because of US intimidation ('Vote against the FSLN or we continue the murders'), and still was the most popular single party in that election, and was re-elected later. Educate yourself before you speak.
Brutal regimes propped up on the left and the right for power and money. Some the result of sociopathic and charismatic leaders. Other times differences in religion and race bring out the worst in us. Barbarism around the world and always someone willing to sit in the helicopter and fire on the citizens below. I want to remain calm, logical and humane but if I were on the ground when the bullets starting hitting children I'd want a f'in rocket launcher and some son of a bitch would die.
and bob dylan was a political writer, i hope he lifts his hat to this man, the legend of experiencing the truth that is in this world, cockburn went there and wrote about it
Powerful vid, great song! I remember this song back in '84; Reagan the fascist asshole was already committing atrocities with the Contras and other regimes in all Central America...Bruce Cogburn nailed it home!!
@ursa41 if it had not been Reagan, it would have been someone else. And he was not a fascist, learn what a word means before you use it. He just didn't take any shit off anyone, and that's how you stay on top.
This man must be talking about the legitimacy of rocketing Israel for crimes against the Palestinian peoples. We welcome you, Bruce Cockburn, as one of our own!
@TheCannonofMohammed He's speaking of the waste of mental thought used on subjects like revenge and payback, while at the same time speaking of how one can understand why people think that way in the first place. He's a protest song writer par excellence and he hates all war and the uselessness of vengeance.
does anyone remember the cover of this song by a young man from new zealand? i saw it about 6 or 7 years ago. it was an amazing performance, as was his other videos. if anyone has info, i would appreciate it. i miss watching it.
There is no such thing as a justified war...There simply isn't. People who think that there is (George bush, where are you?) should go and ask the soldiers, the victims. the refugees and Bruce Cockburn.
Unfortunatly many Americans think rocket launchers are ok as long as they are pointed in the other direction. When we think of war we should consider how green the grass must feel on the other side of the fence!
@whwoowee Oh, shut up, hippie. War is real and fighting and squaller are never going to go away as long as ANYTHING in nature exists, so you may as well not complain. Also, with every war America has been in, we've been fighting to either protect ourselves or an allied nation, or make lives better for the majority of the population in foreign countries. Quit 'cho bitchin'.
@71dhb Good question. Don't know if it is true but I was told that there is an organization that wants to get the US out of the UN. Where was the UN? Didn't care. No money in it.
@71dhb Yeah, but one needs to understand that the UN needs to be VERY careful about how, or even if they interfere (Don't get me wrong! I agree with you, they don't do nearly enough) but one false move in a crisis could easily lead to a much larger problem.
@71dhb I know where the UN was during Rawandan genocides. France, a member of the UN, was supplying the Hutu Army with rifles, smg's, rpg's and a whole buttload of machetes. Then the UN said "Oh the horror, our hands are tied, why don't we give the order to help these people.....oh wait...it's over." The Tutsi's were the ruling class in Rawanda and they were removed by another ruling class. The same ruling class that founded and controls the UN.
Great tune... strange message. I heard the is song on a liberal radio station today and thought hmmm... if conservative stations were playing this song, the media would have blamed them for causing terrorism worldwide. :O.
Great song. Great artist. Great artist name. I know it isn't pronounced like it's spelled. But it still cracks me up. I can't believe his management and/or label didn't put heavy pressure on him to change his name.
Bruce and Romeo Daillaire are probably good friends, both being Canadian heroes outraged at the CIA-imposed dictators ruling third world countries, whose actions are condoned by the UN.
I'm convinced that if North America had the attitude today that it had in the 60's, all of Canada would be protesting how tolerant the government is of these baby-killing dictatorships.
This song was writtten when we still had some hope of fixing the mistakes and troubles of the world. The only thing that seems to be important today is how much money you have or can get. I'm still hoping but it gets slimmer every day.
(i'm American) I've followed and loved BC since 1981 when i first heard him. Part of what makes this song especially powerful is when you understand that BC is otherwise a very peace-oriented person, so this song is an expression of the outrage he felt as a witness to the hell that the Ampire has imposed on the planet. We Americans must bring the Ampire down (peacefully). No one else can do it.
the song itself, with its increasing sense of desperation and righteous anger, really brings out that ruthless mean feeling, the teeth bared - "I would not hesitate...some son of a bitch would die!" Nobody wants to be pushed to that state, but the world is a harsh place, thank whatever powers that be that I live in America and only have to learn of it from a safe distance - Thanks for keeping it real Bruce, before Bono there was Cockburn -
This song was inspired by the aftermath of Efrain Rios Montt's brutal counterinsurgency campaign, which was more of the Guatamalan military going into civilian villages, shooting everything that moved, and then finishing by raping and pillaging.
General Montt only ruled one year, but historians regard his reign as one that was the most marred by violence and cruelty in the history of Guatamala. The Mayans were the main victims of that regime's savagery.
The faces of those in refugee camps, tearstained and tired to the bone and terrified...those are faces you never forget. This is a very powerful song.
Lol he was referenced in my linguistics text so I decided to look him up. It was an example about determiners, one such determiner was "many of Bruce Cockburn's," just to give an idea how many types of them are out there.
@DakotaY12 He's still singing this song (among others old and new) and doing incredible stuff with his guitar. The Moment of Truth version on Youtube in the orange shirt is probably the best version guitarwise. He visited Baghdad about 8 years ago and Afghanistan last year.
When I was young I was sitting in a coffee shop in Yorkville. Just an old hippie me. Anyhow Bernie his manager came over to me and said, "Will you keep this kid company for awhile. He's new in town and real shy. I gotta talk shop with the owner. His name is Bruce." We drank hot chocolate and just talked about whatever. I never knew I would hear him for the rest of my life in the most amazing venues.This song is like my song. I am not violent, but I understand righteous anger and defence...
I wish this man the best. A shame he never had the success, but he is truly respected by his musical peers. It will take me a few years to even claim to be in this man's ballpark...oops, hockey rink for those good hearted Canadians
Who are the 45 people that didn't like this video? 45 no talents I guess. I saw him in about '82 at a small venue and he played this song solo on electric. The guy can play guitar! Belted it out on his knees.
This sounds A LOT like he's talking about 'Nam from the Vietcong's perspective, but from reading the comments I think I may be in error. Can someone give me a little insight into the song so I can know the truth?
I prefer the acoustic version, it's much more personal. This version is too commercialized, something that doesn't fit this song imo. Still a great song though. Awesome guitar playing, great message.
Dr. Cockburn makes a powerful appeal in this video. The point would be better made if he wasn't replacing one hate with another though. He says he doesn't believe in hate yet he is willing to use a rocket launcher to kill someone that he doesn't like. But what is interesting about this song it pulls you in no matter what your politics are.
It has been said that stress is what you feel when your mind overrides your body's natural instinct to choke the living shit out of some asshole who really needs it.
I think this song follows the same principle: the conflict between one's values and one's instinctive need to give the truly evil what the deserve.
I too don't believe in hate or violence... but some evil shitheads can really put that to the test.
I'm NO pacifist, but you're confusing righteous and just retribution for hate. Killing some murdering dictator is in no way an act of hate. Quite the contrary, it's an act of bravery, and of love to put these evil bastards out of their misery; as far as I'm concerned.
An "eye for an eye" just makes the whole world blind,yada,yada,yada.....
Let's face it. If someone would've taken care of Stalin,Mao,Pol Pot, Hitler,Amin, etc. then who knows what kind of world this would be.
Brilliant observation. A random video offers indisputable proof that that government health care is a failure. You'd be a genius if you weren't such an idiot.
@snobear41, I guess you haven't noticed yet that Bruce Cockburn doesn't care much what people think of his looks or about having a perfect body. Some people have more important things to pay attention to.
Wow. I love this song!!! Tons of emotions, musical ability, and a realness thats lacking in 99% of the music today! Makes me wish I was Canadian. (almost)
totally. canada had a very unique set of artists during the 80`s and 90`s. But, of course, even Canada`s music started to crumble into the mainstream rap pop garbage played on the radio we hear today.
This is a very old song...and the idealism is great...but flawed..IF I HAD AROCKET LAUNCHER..the powers to be would blow me into a million tiny pieces
This is the best, most open-hearted song from one of the best, open-hearted albums I own. Bruce is a man among giants for his place in songwriting. How he gets that international flavor to his albums and still keeps them interesting is strictly genius.
BTW, they played this song in the hard rock circles and MTV when it was out. Who would have thought Cockburn to be a posing rocker? But so it is.
@ldolphin34 Amazing man, amazing poet. I've always known about Bruce Cockburn from my dad. I love his words and his voice and can only hope to reach people with my music the way he did.
@ldolphin34 He might of been on MTV a long time ago. Unfortunately, you don't hear such beauty on MTV anymore. This is coming from a 16 year old. And being 16, I hear the crap my friends listen to, and when I compare it to this, it makes me angry that people are missing out on such good music. Cheers!
@737FSPilot MTV is most definitely out of touch with music, and sadly Much Music is going the same way. Neither is a cultural touch-stone it was in the 80's and early 90's.
But if you need a little optimism: There was shitty music back then too, the wheat can get separated from the chaff pretty easily over time.
This song was written moments after Bruce had visited a refugee camp in central America. Obviously, these are conflicted feelings, but those who are desperate and oppressed often take to violence.
Bruce has said he doesn't like violence and hate, but he can definitely understand why some people end up there.
I could not agree more with most of the song. The problem I see is that if we fight the way they do, we become them. Happy holidays to you and your family.
This is the true message of the song, as I see it, although on the surface, the song seems to be saying retaliatory violence is OK, which is inconsistent with what seems to be the premise "violence is bad".
I was in high school when this was released! 24yrs ago and it is sad that things still remain the the same in some parts of the world and a song like this is still relevant!
I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it. Violence is rarely the answer... but I believe the desire to see evil met with justice is nearly universal.
Before Bono, Before Live Aid and all the other artists who have taken on Social Causes...there was Bruce Cockburn...."Kick at the Darkness till it Bleeds Daylight".
Are you kidding? That kind of songwriting (expressing a desire for social justice) has been going on for generations. What do you think the blues are all about? Ever heard of Woody Guthrie?
Bruce Cockburn is the best ever! He rocks out loud and for those people who dont like him you should pay!!! lol seriously plus he doesnt like the word hate!
great song, amazing artist, & this was in the dawn of the "video age", just before video's killed real music and song writing took a back seat to visuals...thanks for posting!
I saw Bruce in concert many many years ago in Ft. Collins, CO. He put on an amazing show. After an intermission he came back on stage with only a guitar, no mic and he blew the place away! A must see.
I was there- at the Lincoln Center. That show rocked! Never new he could play guitar like that. Also saw Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes there too.
This song expresses my frustration almost better than any other. When I hear the news about the current war, so many years after this song was written and played all over Canadian radio, I can still hear Bruce Cockburn singing this song in my mind. Thanks for putting this video up!
I met this guy around the time when this song came out, he was at a dance at our elementary school. I was the only kid who knew this amazing song.......
Elementary school.... wow. You must be something else now in the political field. My brother was a huge fan for the exact same reason - and I have been for a long time for the same....
if i had rocket launcher
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
i dont know really
MegaHawk93 1 month ago
If I had a rocket launcher...I'd CENSORED....the CENSORED.....out of CENSORED
SnakemanisJeff 2 months ago
@71dhb
The United Nations, much like the League of Nations before it, is a thieves den where the imperial powers go to divide their filthy loot. It is a rubber stamping organization designed to give legitimacy to the military crimes of the imperial west while at the same time denouncing the right of developing countries to defend themselves and actually develop.
Horicert 2 months ago
Bruce Cockburn from the nation of PEACEKEEPERS: Canada.
Before Stephen Harper began dismantling what our country stood for.
offmymedsgeezer 2 months ago 6
The song could just have easily been about Cuba or Nicaragua as any other place: evil, regardless of its color or ideology is still evil.
upadaria 2 months ago
@upadaria Cuba doesn't carry out mass killings of its people, and the killings in Nicaragua were by right-wing contra forces trying to dislodge the Sandinista government- the FSLN overthrew a dictator, formed a democratic interim government, won two elections, only lost the third because of US intimidation ('Vote against the FSLN or we continue the murders'), and still was the most popular single party in that election, and was re-elected later. Educate yourself before you speak.
CrawdaddyJoe 2 months ago 2
hat's off to bruce cockburn.
JohnnyHorton 3 months ago
Brutal regimes propped up on the left and the right for power and money. Some the result of sociopathic and charismatic leaders. Other times differences in religion and race bring out the worst in us. Barbarism around the world and always someone willing to sit in the helicopter and fire on the citizens below. I want to remain calm, logical and humane but if I were on the ground when the bullets starting hitting children I'd want a f'in rocket launcher and some son of a bitch would die.
DougStoneent 3 months ago 4
How can there be 62 dislikes?
potatohead5309 3 months ago
Not exactly Gandhi.
stebunn 3 months ago 2
If i had a rocket launcher i blow up the 61 people who dislikes this song!!! :D
BHLOADIDNEER 3 months ago in playlist More videos from kurdtss
I'm an atheist, but there is something all these warmongers should know:
Live by the sword, die by the sword.
fizzypopism 3 months ago
@fizzypopism Those who refuse to carry swords can still die on them.
CrawdaddyJoe 2 months ago
and bob dylan was a political writer, i hope he lifts his hat to this man, the legend of experiencing the truth that is in this world, cockburn went there and wrote about it
ryanthelock 4 months ago 2
Barenaked ladies wrote if I had a million dollars with this song only comedically thinking.
iTellyoueveryting 4 months ago
Every soldier ever
sulsaboy 5 months ago
Powerful vid, great song! I remember this song back in '84; Reagan the fascist asshole was already committing atrocities with the Contras and other regimes in all Central America...Bruce Cogburn nailed it home!!
ursa41 5 months ago
@ursa41 if it had not been Reagan, it would have been someone else. And he was not a fascist, learn what a word means before you use it. He just didn't take any shit off anyone, and that's how you stay on top.
Bag0fRats 4 months ago
This man must be talking about the legitimacy of rocketing Israel for crimes against the Palestinian peoples. We welcome you, Bruce Cockburn, as one of our own!
TheCannonofMohammed 5 months ago
@TheCannonofMohammed He's speaking of the waste of mental thought used on subjects like revenge and payback, while at the same time speaking of how one can understand why people think that way in the first place. He's a protest song writer par excellence and he hates all war and the uselessness of vengeance.
tyme4mike 3 months ago
If I had a super power...
Prometheus429 7 months ago
was there stil tears me up. Viva los Sandinistas FSLN
hodad52 7 months ago 2
Deliver us from arrogant protest songs from progressive "intellectuals" who know better than the rest of us little people.
slippo99 8 months ago
does anyone remember the cover of this song by a young man from new zealand? i saw it about 6 or 7 years ago. it was an amazing performance, as was his other videos. if anyone has info, i would appreciate it. i miss watching it.
bacpac333 8 months ago
why strap on a suicide belt? OK...stay awake and try to do something...but Bruce...does his best here and still no one is listening.
What hope do lesser mortals have..?
chutoi26 9 months ago
There is no such thing as a justified war...There simply isn't. People who think that there is (George bush, where are you?) should go and ask the soldiers, the victims. the refugees and Bruce Cockburn.
Loezeltje2 9 months ago
Unfortunatly many Americans think rocket launchers are ok as long as they are pointed in the other direction. When we think of war we should consider how green the grass must feel on the other side of the fence!
whwoowee 9 months ago 24
@whwoowee Oh, shut up, hippie. War is real and fighting and squaller are never going to go away as long as ANYTHING in nature exists, so you may as well not complain. Also, with every war America has been in, we've been fighting to either protect ourselves or an allied nation, or make lives better for the majority of the population in foreign countries. Quit 'cho bitchin'.
Sasuke2088 2 months ago
@whwoowee Yes it is the 'Americans' who gave us a century of war. Not those enlightened Europeans.
EasyEs 2 months ago
reminds me of "Lives in the Balance" by Jackson Brown
brucefetter 9 months ago 2
I saw Bruce perform tonight in Victoria, it was so good! God bless you Bruce Cockburn.
wakaw07 10 months ago 3
Bruce is the man. This was one great album amongst many.
judgegixxer 10 months ago 3
Where the fuck was the UN when this shit was happening? or Pol Pot? or Pinot Ce or in Argentina or Rwanda? What a load of shit...
71dhb 10 months ago 18
@71dhb Good question. Don't know if it is true but I was told that there is an organization that wants to get the US out of the UN. Where was the UN? Didn't care. No money in it.
Shareheya 2 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
@71dhb Yeah, but one needs to understand that the UN needs to be VERY careful about how, or even if they interfere (Don't get me wrong! I agree with you, they don't do nearly enough) but one false move in a crisis could easily lead to a much larger problem.
ThatzMrOcelot 2 months ago
@71dhb I know where the UN was during Rawandan genocides. France, a member of the UN, was supplying the Hutu Army with rifles, smg's, rpg's and a whole buttload of machetes. Then the UN said "Oh the horror, our hands are tied, why don't we give the order to help these people.....oh wait...it's over." The Tutsi's were the ruling class in Rawanda and they were removed by another ruling class. The same ruling class that founded and controls the UN.
Paddy8111 1 month ago 4
How timely is this song, with Libya convulsed and Ghaddafi scourging his own people - even the Arab world cannot stomach his actions now
SupernalOne 10 months ago 6
Some son of a bitch would die!!
MrRock3691 10 months ago 3
@MrRock3691 A long list of those committing crimes upon us and never any justice handed out.
ctwatcher 9 months ago
one of the most honest and gutsy songwriters from Canada..A longtime favorite.
kate54ish 10 months ago
I hear that brother..!
TJTele 11 months ago 2
ROFLMFAO! Cockburn?!?! And I here I was thinking Hancock was bad enough! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
AnimeAnimeAnimeDude 11 months ago
Were the people who needed to pay the government, or the insurrectionists in Central America? I'm guessing the Central American Government.
KampferXeon 11 months ago
Bruce should be canonized.
smilingpug 11 months ago 3
I agree, Bruce Cockburn sure knows how to get a point across!
SamHoward1767 11 months ago
holy shit this guy is legit. His music rocks.
spectergohan 11 months ago
Great tune... strange message. I heard the is song on a liberal radio station today and thought hmmm... if conservative stations were playing this song, the media would have blamed them for causing terrorism worldwide. :O.
RamsesReturns 1 year ago
Just heard this for the first time today...wow...what a tune!
seanog75 1 year ago
Great song. Great artist. Great artist name. I know it isn't pronounced like it's spelled. But it still cracks me up. I can't believe his management and/or label didn't put heavy pressure on him to change his name.
Jefgg 1 year ago
If I am not mistaken, this song caused a bit of controversy
themooddisorders 1 year ago
Hahaha, it is a nice song though (the marathon level is how I found it)
KampferXeon 1 year ago
Bruce and Romeo Daillaire are probably good friends, both being Canadian heroes outraged at the CIA-imposed dictators ruling third world countries, whose actions are condoned by the UN.
I'm convinced that if North America had the attitude today that it had in the 60's, all of Canada would be protesting how tolerant the government is of these baby-killing dictatorships.
Aetheilas 1 year ago
this is a great song. if i had a rocket launcher, some son of a bitch would pay.
MrJoeCage 1 year ago
Another great Canadian legend...
sighail1 1 year ago
This is the first time I've SEEN the video clip - I prefer it as just music.
smackc4 1 year ago
This song was writtten when we still had some hope of fixing the mistakes and troubles of the world. The only thing that seems to be important today is how much money you have or can get. I'm still hoping but it gets slimmer every day.
olesargee8 1 year ago
(i'm American) I've followed and loved BC since 1981 when i first heard him. Part of what makes this song especially powerful is when you understand that BC is otherwise a very peace-oriented person, so this song is an expression of the outrage he felt as a witness to the hell that the Ampire has imposed on the planet. We Americans must bring the Ampire down (peacefully). No one else can do it.
nUboon2Age 1 year ago
This song is a great example of the early years of our society's growing impotence.
obscureluzername 1 year ago
doesnt this song just give you the chills
MsJesusgod 1 year ago
i am a american and the song rocks
kilbara 1 year ago
@kilbara Yea Bruce is great Ah. Glad you like it.Seen it played for Fireworks at Ontairo Place ! Cool.
MrStanlee9 1 year ago
No i don't think he does, you know his names not on his mail that he get ever day...
wolfkiler777 1 year ago
Does this guy know his last name is Cockburn?
DarkStarGuy 1 year ago
We don't hate this song.....we hate oppression!
cdsturgeon 1 year ago
Comment removed
cdsturgeon 1 year ago
funny how americans hate this song
antirepublican123 1 year ago
the song itself, with its increasing sense of desperation and righteous anger, really brings out that ruthless mean feeling, the teeth bared - "I would not hesitate...some son of a bitch would die!" Nobody wants to be pushed to that state, but the world is a harsh place, thank whatever powers that be that I live in America and only have to learn of it from a safe distance - Thanks for keeping it real Bruce, before Bono there was Cockburn -
SupernalOne 1 year ago
HE IS A CLASS ACT. BIG TIME RESPECT.
chiefashley56 1 year ago
This song was inspired by the aftermath of Efrain Rios Montt's brutal counterinsurgency campaign, which was more of the Guatamalan military going into civilian villages, shooting everything that moved, and then finishing by raping and pillaging.
General Montt only ruled one year, but historians regard his reign as one that was the most marred by violence and cruelty in the history of Guatamala. The Mayans were the main victims of that regime's savagery.
UCSPanther20 1 year ago 3
Im a musician of 29 years. this guy gives me the creeps with how good he is. period.
hinsdale14 1 year ago
The faces of those in refugee camps, tearstained and tired to the bone and terrified...those are faces you never forget. This is a very powerful song.
medicvet 1 year ago 6
i wasnt even born :) wish i wasn't too :)
bungoose 1 year ago
Lol he was referenced in my linguistics text so I decided to look him up. It was an example about determiners, one such determiner was "many of Bruce Cockburn's," just to give an idea how many types of them are out there.
Xcurior 1 year ago
I like most of Bruce's songs but I really love this one.
It's good to see an angry Canadian.
blader45bc 1 year ago 6
Bruce Adam Clayton Cockburn.
smilingpug 1 year ago
@smilingpug Bruce had the look 1st ;-)
KezRox 1 year ago
You know, if he really wanted to, he could get one... just saying.
AKRX 1 year ago 5
From the good old days - when Bruce was an opponent of US Imperialism in Latin America.
Viva Nicaragua! Viva Sandino! Latin America will be free. US/Canada or not.
victoria1907 1 year ago
awesome song, deep stuff, but... his name is cockburn? meh, maybe i'm just immature...
wolf2random 1 year ago
@wolf2random lol, its pronounced Co-burn
altjff15 1 year ago
@DakotaY12 He's still singing this song (among others old and new) and doing incredible stuff with his guitar. The Moment of Truth version on Youtube in the orange shirt is probably the best version guitarwise. He visited Baghdad about 8 years ago and Afghanistan last year.
MsTubbytube 1 year ago
A pioneer in humanity.
Deadfreeeak 1 year ago 3
Thanks. This song has a nice simple sincerity and straighforwardness I appreciate.
citizenbfk 1 year ago
When I was young I was sitting in a coffee shop in Yorkville. Just an old hippie me. Anyhow Bernie his manager came over to me and said, "Will you keep this kid company for awhile. He's new in town and real shy. I gotta talk shop with the owner. His name is Bruce." We drank hot chocolate and just talked about whatever. I never knew I would hear him for the rest of my life in the most amazing venues.This song is like my song. I am not violent, but I understand righteous anger and defence...
NoorAlHaqiqa 1 year ago 2
I wish this man the best. A shame he never had the success, but he is truly respected by his musical peers. It will take me a few years to even claim to be in this man's ballpark...oops, hockey rink for those good hearted Canadians
themooddisorders 1 year ago
Who are the 45 people that didn't like this video? 45 no talents I guess. I saw him in about '82 at a small venue and he played this song solo on electric. The guy can play guitar! Belted it out on his knees.
farelane460 1 year ago
This song calls for a 'specially designed guitar.
hallmobility 1 year ago
This sounds A LOT like he's talking about 'Nam from the Vietcong's perspective, but from reading the comments I think I may be in error. Can someone give me a little insight into the song so I can know the truth?
StevieG1066 1 year ago
Bruce Cockburn- ahead of our times
gypsy43 1 year ago
"If I had a rocket launcher, some son of a bitch would die." - DAMN STRAIGHT!
squishyblanket 1 year ago
v=z02J_kPincA&fmt=18
goto the above YT video,
Bruce's guitar work is sublime
techcafe 1 year ago
I never heard of pie crust for top of pie--cool!
micmoable 1 year ago
I prefer the acoustic version, it's much more personal. This version is too commercialized, something that doesn't fit this song imo. Still a great song though. Awesome guitar playing, great message.
GVBahamut 1 year ago
Saw his lookalike brother in a newsclip the other day...a Canadian Army doctor working on the Haiti earthquake releif.
Yamieguy64 2 years ago 3
Dr. Cockburn makes a powerful appeal in this video. The point would be better made if he wasn't replacing one hate with another though. He says he doesn't believe in hate yet he is willing to use a rocket launcher to kill someone that he doesn't like. But what is interesting about this song it pulls you in no matter what your politics are.
garandguy000 2 years ago 8
I Agree..But if you are getting Hell rained in on you..and you have an RPG.Why not use it?
peterl44 2 years ago 8
It has been said that stress is what you feel when your mind overrides your body's natural instinct to choke the living shit out of some asshole who really needs it.
I think this song follows the same principle: the conflict between one's values and one's instinctive need to give the truly evil what the deserve.
I too don't believe in hate or violence... but some evil shitheads can really put that to the test.
Oh, fuck yeah they can.
Marc3c 1 year ago 11
@garandguy000 i beleive you are confusing anger with hate. i doubt bruce would fire off a missle at somebody, but he sure feels like it at times
sharqi666 1 year ago 3
@garandguy000
I'm NO pacifist, but you're confusing righteous and just retribution for hate. Killing some murdering dictator is in no way an act of hate. Quite the contrary, it's an act of bravery, and of love to put these evil bastards out of their misery; as far as I'm concerned.
An "eye for an eye" just makes the whole world blind,yada,yada,yada.....
Let's face it. If someone would've taken care of Stalin,Mao,Pol Pot, Hitler,Amin, etc. then who knows what kind of world this would be.
n8tureboy 1 year ago 5
if USA had not erased the real leadership of South and Central America, none of this crap would have happened.
acerb45666555 2 years ago 14
Big meaning.
Amazing song.
Bisurge 2 years ago 11
Too bad he didn't use the money he made to fix his teeth- so much for Government health care eh?
snobear41 2 years ago
Brilliant observation. A random video offers indisputable proof that that government health care is a failure. You'd be a genius if you weren't such an idiot.
tom6612 2 years ago 31
@snobear41, I guess you haven't noticed yet that Bruce Cockburn doesn't care much what people think of his looks or about having a perfect body. Some people have more important things to pay attention to.
MsTubbytube 1 year ago 3
Wow. I love this song!!! Tons of emotions, musical ability, and a realness thats lacking in 99% of the music today! Makes me wish I was Canadian. (almost)
joenbrenda 2 years ago 19
totally. canada had a very unique set of artists during the 80`s and 90`s. But, of course, even Canada`s music started to crumble into the mainstream rap pop garbage played on the radio we hear today.
Maxmulham 2 years ago 14
Love listening to this. Never gets old.
mcrecord1 2 years ago 15
This is a very old song...and the idealism is great...but flawed..IF I HAD AROCKET LAUNCHER..the powers to be would blow me into a million tiny pieces
peterl44 2 years ago
OLK.. You do not understand.
melloweeze 2 years ago 10
lol this song is funny, so many serious comments? this song is like a parody! XD
olkiej 2 years ago
It is far from a parody, you must be very young.
superhappylucky 2 years ago 58
ldolphin i am so sorry i posted a thumbs down....i intended a thumbs up...my apologies
frederickus 2 years ago 21
This is the best, most open-hearted song from one of the best, open-hearted albums I own. Bruce is a man among giants for his place in songwriting. How he gets that international flavor to his albums and still keeps them interesting is strictly genius.
BTW, they played this song in the hard rock circles and MTV when it was out. Who would have thought Cockburn to be a posing rocker? But so it is.
ldolphin34 2 years ago 135
@ldolphin34 Amazing man, amazing poet. I've always known about Bruce Cockburn from my dad. I love his words and his voice and can only hope to reach people with my music the way he did.
Gazzymunky 1 year ago
@ldolphin34 He might of been on MTV a long time ago. Unfortunately, you don't hear such beauty on MTV anymore. This is coming from a 16 year old. And being 16, I hear the crap my friends listen to, and when I compare it to this, it makes me angry that people are missing out on such good music. Cheers!
737FSPilot 1 year ago
@737FSPilot MTV is most definitely out of touch with music, and sadly Much Music is going the same way. Neither is a cultural touch-stone it was in the 80's and early 90's.
But if you need a little optimism: There was shitty music back then too, the wheat can get separated from the chaff pretty easily over time.
kmikl 1 year ago
he has an awesome voice. theres not as many huge Canadian musisions as american but the ones there are are the greatest.
timsperts 2 years ago 28
First time Ive saw this video in twenty years.Thanks for posting.
cokedude46 2 years ago 24
Rick Moranis and Warren Zevon had a kid... Who knew?
peterinbrat 2 years ago
Hmmmmmm...
"I don't believe in hate" and "...I would retaliate."
Also, "some son of a B***H would die."
Sounds conflicted to me. Aren't rage and retaliation closely related to "hate?"
I'm in agreement with what billhuston has said below.
herndonrobertk 2 years ago
This song was written moments after Bruce had visited a refugee camp in central America. Obviously, these are conflicted feelings, but those who are desperate and oppressed often take to violence.
Bruce has said he doesn't like violence and hate, but he can definitely understand why some people end up there.
LyricalDJ 2 years ago 121
I nominate this as the theme song for the G-20 Summit 2009.
6079WS 2 years ago 24
I loved this song since I was a kid....Still do
peterl44 2 years ago 14
Boy was this man way ahead of our time.
forty911 2 years ago 19
In Bruce we Trust.
hughericsean 3 years ago 10
You know, this music vid gives at least a faint idea of what life must be like for a boy in Gaza.
alphafactor 3 years ago 14
True. Or anyone in Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur...
skynet556 3 years ago 13
Or the Congo, Rwanda, Eshkol
Alalngar 2 years ago 8
music with integrity,i agree
vaughnsalem 3 years ago 9
Plus ca change, moins ca change.
SuddenSparkles 3 years ago 2
great visual type tune!
v2vroth 3 years ago
awesome! thx for posting.
gmlab 3 years ago
awesome
aphasia1972 3 years ago
I could not agree more with most of the song. The problem I see is that if we fight the way they do, we become them. Happy holidays to you and your family.
Peace,
Allen
slowhand1954 3 years ago 5
This is the true message of the song, as I see it, although on the surface, the song seems to be saying retaliatory violence is OK, which is inconsistent with what seems to be the premise "violence is bad".
billhuston 3 years ago 2
Violence is bad, however standing by and doing nothing while violence is perpetrated against innocent people is even worse.
Yourebuying 2 years ago 40
I was in Guatemala and Nicaragua last month, and they're still trying to recover from their wars. After 24 years this song still packs a punch!
Woodguy99 3 years ago 9
fricking awesome
manrose58 3 years ago 3
I was in high school when this was released! 24yrs ago and it is sad that things still remain the the same in some parts of the world and a song like this is still relevant!
Shawnv1111 3 years ago 7
music with integrity
unstabledavid 3 years ago 10
This guy reminds me of Alex Jones and infowars.
It's too bad more people don't know what's about to happen.
redgreen303 3 years ago
I remember this song. Now i'm older I see how awesome this tune is! It Smokes!
TheMegaPowers 3 years ago
This and "wondering where the lions are" are so very poignant now! We gotta think peace. Try.
I love this song!
clearitup2 3 years ago
this guy is awesome. look how simple he appears in this vid. one wonders what would become of him in the modern music scene. *shudder*
soulstice99 3 years ago
"i don't beleive in gaurded boarders...and their stinking tourture state"
I don't always believe/agree with Cockburn but his talent commands respect, man he is good.
fulls787 3 years ago 8
I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it. Violence is rarely the answer... but I believe the desire to see evil met with justice is nearly universal.
texaschristian 3 years ago 11
war = more war.
people lose.
corporations win.
good luck earth.
edwardooftheopensea 3 years ago 3
true, but not fighting back is weak, so what do you 'we' should do? answer:hit corporations that are pro-war.
louisgdehaut 3 years ago 2
Coming to a city near you.
redgreen303 3 years ago 4
best comment ever
MissJolien 3 years ago
Another great song and video: "Call It Democracy."
mosquitobight 3 years ago 3
I love the ending where he walks in Toronto, and the background noise becomes clearer.
crazyrabbits 3 years ago
Before Bono, Before Live Aid and all the other artists who have taken on Social Causes...there was Bruce Cockburn...."Kick at the Darkness till it Bleeds Daylight".
dabluz1125 3 years ago 4
Are you kidding? That kind of songwriting (expressing a desire for social justice) has been going on for generations. What do you think the blues are all about? Ever heard of Woody Guthrie?
cholling 3 years ago 5
well, I'm not so sure that the Blues might be considered as being in the same category as this, but I will add ...
Mr Cockburn was doing this before it became "cool" because his HEART is in it, and it's the right thing to do. Not so much for the publicity.
WetDog128 3 years ago 5
Wonderful song and album, but I must admit it's difficult to imagine Cockburn making anyone pay after seeing him in this video.
misslauren66 3 years ago
I love this.
yassasi 3 years ago
Every song from the album ("Stealing Fire"
1984) this song is on is great. He plays some outstanding lead guitar on his live album (1989).
theREALonekev 3 years ago
I used to work in radio...and his first LPs came with a sticker that read "Pronounced Co-burn"
Still cracks me up to think about it.
MuzzikLvr 3 years ago 12
great song.....thanx. for the post.
johnysitcom 3 years ago
Bruce Cockburn is the best ever! He rocks out loud and for those people who dont like him you should pay!!! lol seriously plus he doesnt like the word hate!
19981960 3 years ago
I have this album!!
burndafat 4 years ago
lol cockburn
kunfujoe2107 4 years ago
Oh, this video was made in 84?! Forget what I said about Bruce ageing.
causa2k 4 years ago
The older Cockburn gets, the stranger he gets. Makes you wonder. BTW, can anyone please upload "Berlin Tonight"?
causa2k 4 years ago
great song, amazing artist, & this was in the dawn of the "video age", just before video's killed real music and song writing took a back seat to visuals...thanks for posting!
phyerdragon76 4 years ago
I saw Bruce in concert many many years ago in Ft. Collins, CO. He put on an amazing show. After an intermission he came back on stage with only a guitar, no mic and he blew the place away! A must see.
airbozo 4 years ago
I was there- at the Lincoln Center. That show rocked! Never new he could play guitar like that. Also saw Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes there too.
farelane460 4 years ago 2
wat a track love it
gaffrow 4 years ago
bruce is soooooooooo god damn good. thanks for the posting.
guspech 4 years ago
this is actually a nice tune!
ponchoyo 4 years ago
The entire "Stealing Fire" album is incredible.
theREALonekev 4 years ago 4
More fitting now than ever!
grassyknolluk 4 years ago
This song expresses my frustration almost better than any other. When I hear the news about the current war, so many years after this song was written and played all over Canadian radio, I can still hear Bruce Cockburn singing this song in my mind. Thanks for putting this video up!
angelsea 4 years ago
I met this guy around the time when this song came out, he was at a dance at our elementary school. I was the only kid who knew this amazing song.......
glitterygal76 4 years ago
Elementary school.... wow. You must be something else now in the political field. My brother was a huge fan for the exact same reason - and I have been for a long time for the same....
catsruleanddogsdrool 3 years ago