This song sounds to me like an awful comment on the times that are in it. Since I am a resident of Belfast to which many Americans had no reluctance to express their sometimes ill informed opinions, I feel totally entitled to say Wake Up America you are going backwards.I wish you no ill will just feel for all you guys
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
who is we?. This is doomsday food for cry babies. That guy is so fucked up, all he does is cry, then takes your money. Good luck. I never have seen a Nam vet begging for money. This is ridiculous concept. go smoke more weed asshole, and get a job, oh I forgot you are unemployable. Too bad.
The person below who said he would vote for Trump is crazy! Trump would be the first one to send jobs overseas if he could, just to make himself richer. We need to stop the new "free trade agreements" that are happening now with Panama, Colombia and Korea. LABOR DAY PROTEST IN D.C.
I CANNOT WAIT to see him next month for the first time. AMAZING songwriter/musician. Tells it like it is, and, as someone once said, the truth is often unpleasant.
Corporate America. This actually started with Kennedy and LBJ. When Nixon came in he was happy to know that the chinese will work for a dollar a day and a bowl of rice. We were sold out Ford, Carter, and Reagan knew it.. The Bush regime just sat with their money. Clinton tried to change it. I can't say much for his bitch lawyer wife. If Donald Trump runs he has my vote. We dont need poloticians, we need busisness men.
@bearing44 Not true - Clinton signed Gramm/Leach which repealed the banking regulations of that would have protected us from this shitstorm we're in now. Clinton was in on it too, friend.
@bearing44 Yeah, because businessmen are so ethical. It's like George Carlin says; the problem isn't politicians, it's Americans. Garbage in, garbage out. It's so easy to point fingers at the scumbags (and they are scumbags) in office, but we need to clean up our act as a populace... But of course we won't.
I saw him at the Aggie in Fort Collins Colorado this summer. It was a great show. We were in the front and he sounded awsome. His songs are very relevant in todays society.
@radshowler ...funniest post ever..I never caught the weird Al thing. and yes I have some 7.5 ml.and the weapons to put em in. learned my lesson in the 60's. we are on our own.
james is the man. you'll never hear something like this on the radio because it's based in REALITY, not some fantasy of an america that never existed. country radio songs have about 2 subjects: how awesome the USA is (if you're white), and how awesome it is to have kids (if you're white). connect the dots, folks.
@tbzeee The first place I heard this was on a rock station. In Bangor, Maine. Owned by Stephen King. Once I heard it, I got home and looked it up online. It's more relevant now than when it was first released.
I would have to disagree with the banner discription of this song, I think its more of a anti capitalist song than it is a war protest song.
I like James stuff, but I just find it hypocritical that with his protests of corporate "everything", on most of his label vids there are ads you have to watch before you can view his video.
Governments the enemy, not the corporations. Some corporation made all the instruments and guitars and drums, most of which were made in Asia I bet.
It's in A...James is capo'ed at the second fret to mimic a G fingering. The chords in the verse are A, G, D, A..the bass throws in the 3rd note of the D (F#) a lot. The chords repeat A, G, D, A one bar apiece in every 4 bar measure, and in the little droning bridge section between each verse A-G-D in 2 bar measures, with A occupying one bar and and G and D the other. It's a very simple song, but effective because the lyrics are so good. Someone else here compared it to Lou Reed, and I agree.
I don't hate anyone that migrates 'LEGALLY" and who PAYS TAXES AND FOR THEIR OWN MEDICAL CARE. Not to just send what they make back to their home country which only helps the country theyre running from.
Oh, and THANK YOU, corporatecountrysucks, and Chicago's CAN-TV!
Access TV, part of the solution, in always on the verge of being snuffed out by the corporados and their henchmen..
Please visit the org site, keepusconnected - to learn how to help keep it alive in Illinois.
And visit the Alliance for Community Media's org site, alliancecm, for more info on PEG (public, educational, and government) access TV in your community, state, and nation! ~ Rob McC
This is the best sample of failure of the neoliberalism. If already they can not take it anymore in the USA, we can imagine how it will be in those poor countries that followed to the letter the recipes imposed by IMF, WB, etc.
Good work brother. From Venezuela, we say that if Bush is a son of devil, then Dick is the father. Deservedly the President Chavez said that there was strong sulphur smell in his UN speech. The puppet GWB stinks.
It was like when George Bush Senior and Regan co-opted Springsteens "Born in the USA" as their fist pumping anthem. I wonder if this was their favorite line:
This guy predicted our future 2 years ago, lookie look whats going on today! We all have been getting fucked by business, outsourcing and government for years. Can't wait to see what "change" is gonna do, I fear not much...
I can remember in 1990's when the jobs were leaving, me I am lucky I don't work in the factory any more it is closed. Closed in 1998 and now I make better money and don't get my hands dirty. Tech support is what I do now instead of making chemicals.
Lurid description of the contrasts that are leading the US toward "class wars". The song predates the new oil cost crisis that is sinking the economy and millions of previous home owners families.
The background drone reminds me of an old 60's song, "Big John" and the words are of real situations that we can all observe for ourselves. I expect to see this song covered by a number of C&W singers in the next few years as it becomes even more relevant.
RicButler,if you are referring to my spelling of Rascal Fartts, I intended it that way. If you don't like my politics, fuck you. Did I spell fuck and you correctly?
It doesn't make a damn who gets elected because this country was long ago bought, paid for, and sold a long time ago. Voting is POINTLESS. Politicians are put in place to let you think that you have a voice and a choice....you don't...we have no choice.
We're owned by old men, oil companies, the IRS and the banks. Vote??? Sure....go ahead..I'm sure the country will improve immediately overnight after the 'celebrity' politicians have told us their lies, kissed all the babies, and shook all the hands of those 'supporters' that spent $1000-a-plate for their campaign fundraising. And guess what,we'll all still be in the same shithole before they were elected and after.
Yeah, he may seem dark and depressing from a CEO's viewpoint, but to a great many people in this country, what he says is the bitter truth.
I know that we can't end poverty, inequality and discrimination with the standard liberal approaches, but if we would end the insane occupation of Iraq and cut the bloated military budget by 50%, we could make things better for the citizens of this country without any tax increases.
While I'm up on my soap box, I would just like to say, that my 43 years of life have led me to the conviction that useless lying bastard politicians come out of all political parties, ethnicities, genders and regions.
The music in this "song" is intentionally unmelodic--it's only intended as a rhythmic drone to underscore the words. "We Can't Make It" is not a "song"; it's a poem. And a damn good one. McMurtry uses host of literary devices--rhyme, metaphor, hyperbole, repetition, punning, etc.--to embue it with power.
tammanraset, most people don't get my sense of humour. I am a big fan of the McMurtry family, father and son. I enjoy literature and music of substance. You do to. Again, most people would rather listen to
It's globalization stupid. I as an American do NOT want to live similar to those in China, Taiwan, Indonesia, or anywhere else!!! The corporations that are moving their operations overseas are UNPATRIOTIC!!
These NeoConservatives who post on here just can't digest Truth! They get mad and scream "Liberal!" And use alot of foul words to make their point! They just hate true Freedom, Dissent, Questioning THEIR politicians, A Free Press, and anyone who is not one of them! Bad as the Extremist Liberals! Long Live Our Free American Republic!
It's not really that, SilentSepia. We just can't digest shitty music. The left-wing lyrics and retro-hippie presentation doesn't help but the fundamental problem is that the music is garbage. It's repetitive and boring.
I gotta go with RickPhare on this one. It's as though McMurtry has captured the essence of Al Gore's personality and preachiness. The monotony is numbing. It was 6 and a half minutes too long.
Say, are you aware that Al Gore volunteered for the US Army and served in Vietnam despite the fact that he most certainly did not have to? People like that can't be trusted to take care of this country.
Right on SilentSepia. I am a proud veteran, a proud taxpayer, I do jury duty, I vote every chance I get, and I work harder than 90% of my fellow men. I am also a Proud Tax and Spend Liberal Democrat. Anybody don't like that can kiss my Charlie Daniels and
At least you're honest. Too bad the rest of the left can't be that honest.
You know you can always give additional money to the government if you think you aren't paying enough. The problem I have with 'tax and spend' liberals is that it doesn't stop with just you. You want me to pay more. I pay quite enough, thanks.
HelmutHedd, truth is, I'm sure you pay plenty. I just gotta believe it could be put to use better than the right is doing. And I also ain't noticed the right gaining no monopoly on telling the truth to the American people.
And honestly, I aint trying to pick a fight, but I would genuinely like to hear a response to this. Every conservative I ever met says they pay too much taxes or "quite enough". Yet you folks tend to elect presidents who increase our national debt exponentially, so that most of our tax dollars, and most epecially those of our children and grandchildren not even born, will be used just to service the interest on the debt. What gives with the inherent fiscal conflict in conservative politics?
You have to look a little deeper at what's actually going on. More than 60% of the US budget goes to entitlements like social security,medicare, medicaid, etc. Social spending dwarfs everything else. Bush inherited this. Each President inherits things, good or bad, of his predecessors.
Clinton benefitted from Reagan's policies. The effects of the tax cuts put more money in the US treasury, enabling him to have large surpluses. It wasn't his doing. Conversely he chose popularity and polls over doing the right thing. Clinton didn't need a crystal ball to see what entitlements would cost as the 'baby boom' generation gets older in the yeard 2000-2025.
Clinton didn't want to bother with things like fixing social security for the next 2-3 administrations. None of the politicians want to face reality on it today.
More socialist entitlements, as proposed by Shrillary and the Democrats, is left-wing selfishness and irresponsibility at its worst. "Free" health care would be financially disastrous for future taxpayers.
Bush's attempts to address the social security problem were well-intentioned and may have been successful 10 years ago. Any effective change is impossible given the political climate of recent years.
The seeming paradox of all this is that the only real answer is tax cuts. Tax cuts hurt the treasury in the short-term, but bring more money in the long-term. Reagan proved it.
I've never met a liberal who seems able to grasp this concept. Liberal ideas of taxing and 'soaking the rich' have never worked and in fact, are middle class killers.
Lowering income tax rates across the board is the solution. Closing loopholes and simplification are also needed. This is the direction Bush has set up for the next administration(s).
The only way to stop the politicians from spending more is to give them less. Tax cuts will be the issue in 2008.
birdiejoehoaks, Big Ronnie also traded weapons to the Iranians in return for their influence in releasing hostages around the Mideast. When you have that much influence in getting them released, that means you have equal influence in holding them. I get so tired of fucking lying demagogue politicians.
Don't forget, Ronnie got in thanks to tbe Iran Hostage crisis. Ronnie's scumbags met Iranians in Paris, where it was agreed they'd hold the hostages until Jimmy Carter was destroyed, and the hostages were released on Ronnie's Coronation Day, 1/20/81. It was another Bush fix, then he got the VP spot. The beginning of our longest national nightmare, still underway.Like Mr. McMurury's song says,the fatcats have stolen all the money for their damn little war,and the world hates us. Good going,Bush.
And paid for the arms by importing cocaine and inventing crack for the ghetto. The basterds enlisted "Freeway Ricky", an LA dealer/gang member, who helped supply the crack to networks across the US, thereby creating the "Bloods and Crips" gang wars, and crack epidemic. When journalist Gary Webb wrote his brilliant expose on the whole thing, they destroyed Webb,literally. They found him here in his Sacramento area apartment, dead of "a self-inflicted gunshot wound".But there was 2 bullets in him.
Jamcrane3: "Yet you folks tend to elect presidents who increase our national debt exponentially".
1. Presidents are elected by the majority of the electors in the electoral college, not by "conservatives". The last true conservative to even gain the nomination was probably Barry Goldwater, who lost horribly.
"Pretty strong opinion must be behind the hateful words of calling this gargage, let me guess, you are a Right Winger!"
Just an FYI-there's nothing 'hateful' about my comments. There was nothing hateful directed at McMurtry or any poster. It was simply a judgement on a song.
Why does it bother you when I said it was garbage?
Why do you care what I think anyway? I couldn't care less about your opinion.
Blows my mind every time... I also see he's wearin' a "Maintenance Shop" t-shirt in this clip. ALL HAIL IOWA! M-Shop is on the ISU campus in Ames, Iowa. All the greats, blues, jazz, & rock, have played there.
I think McMurtry would agree with you. He wrote this in response to unregulated trade and loss of manufacturing jobs. He's not telling you what party to vote for - just that workers deserve some respect.
Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, I agree with you on that. Globalist is the same thing that I call a corporate, right-wing, sell-out, third way idiot like Bill Clinton. My guess is you're a libertarian. I see the problem is with capitalism in general. You probably see it a bit differently.
come to Europe, JM!!!!
larssvanholm 1 week ago
This has been one of my favorite songs since seeing James perform it on Austin City Limits years ago. Absolutely genius songwriting!
carterchiasson 1 week ago in playlist YouTube Mix for James McMurtry
This song sounds to me like an awful comment on the times that are in it. Since I am a resident of Belfast to which many Americans had no reluctance to express their sometimes ill informed opinions, I feel totally entitled to say Wake Up America you are going backwards.I wish you no ill will just feel for all you guys
june4783 1 week ago
america is doomed
ugoodHomeBoy 2 weeks ago 2
James McMurtry is the man!
boxersdrule 3 weeks ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
who is we?. This is doomsday food for cry babies. That guy is so fucked up, all he does is cry, then takes your money. Good luck. I never have seen a Nam vet begging for money. This is ridiculous concept. go smoke more weed asshole, and get a job, oh I forgot you are unemployable. Too bad.
bearing44 1 month ago in playlist Favorite videos
@bearing44 What?
DimentalLabs 6 days ago
You're gawddamn right james.
liljgoneman 1 month ago
This song rings so true.....especially THESE days....It's very sad.
TimeToFly28 2 months ago
Sad thing is - this song came out in 2005.
It was timely then, and unfortunately no matter what color you are, it's even more appropriate now.
thomsen59 3 months ago 3
A song for the 99%! Thank you!
susanagg2 3 months ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
we cant make it here in this shithole anymore
agent9981 3 months ago in playlist YouTube Mix for James McMurtry
Can we really fine anything more timely??
Perfect! The Zeitgeist....
RobinaThe1 4 months ago 4
I boycott Wal Mart and refuse to buy anything from China or Asian or South American countries. Nafta lie for this bullshit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ecobill1 5 months ago 2
» ♫ »-»»-»»-»»-»-»»»---»♫feathers♫ ---»
{0,o}
/ ) \
\/--/ ', @sticky3d @armsaroundtheworld
stickyresults 6 months ago
The McMurtry Family is an American treasure.
poppatoot 6 months ago 9
The person below who said he would vote for Trump is crazy! Trump would be the first one to send jobs overseas if he could, just to make himself richer. We need to stop the new "free trade agreements" that are happening now with Panama, Colombia and Korea. LABOR DAY PROTEST IN D.C.
IndyAnna2TN 6 months ago 3
Austin seems to be thick with these kicking musicians Yes austintxlive you are fortunate
ksr9t 7 months ago 2
The pride of Austin Texas. We are fortunate to see him a lot.
austintxlivemusic 7 months ago 3
keep on working if you still have a job. Let em beat us down more. No way out is there?
bearing44 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I wrote that OMG no wonder I am so good
bearing44 8 months ago
Thanks for the link, hazy. - biscuit :)
pawcreek1 8 months ago
I CANNOT WAIT to see him next month for the first time. AMAZING songwriter/musician. Tells it like it is, and, as someone once said, the truth is often unpleasant.
MsLoftyone 9 months ago
Corporate America. This actually started with Kennedy and LBJ. When Nixon came in he was happy to know that the chinese will work for a dollar a day and a bowl of rice. We were sold out Ford, Carter, and Reagan knew it.. The Bush regime just sat with their money. Clinton tried to change it. I can't say much for his bitch lawyer wife. If Donald Trump runs he has my vote. We dont need poloticians, we need busisness men.
bearing44 10 months ago
@bearing44 Not true - Clinton signed Gramm/Leach which repealed the banking regulations of that would have protected us from this shitstorm we're in now. Clinton was in on it too, friend.
Antiks72 9 months ago 2
@bearing44 Yeah, because businessmen are so ethical. It's like George Carlin says; the problem isn't politicians, it's Americans. Garbage in, garbage out. It's so easy to point fingers at the scumbags (and they are scumbags) in office, but we need to clean up our act as a populace... But of course we won't.
pandurate 8 months ago 3
@pandurate Yep, the problem is indeed the American people.
Antiks72 1 month ago
damn....the truth hurts,don't it ...........i love my country and wouldn't live anywhere else but we need to turn things around.....fast!!!!!
djdonnie68 10 months ago
For the record: DO NOT JOIN THE CORPS!
Take it from someone whos there...It sucks!
ArtLovesWeed 11 months ago
What a song writer!
DawnFremy 1 year ago 2
@yippierb: it's mm as in 7.62mm FMJ, come correct, if you're gonna front.
m0j0b0ne 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Same shirt as in the interview! Pretty appropriate for the times in Wisconsin! Say NO to Walmart!!!!!!!!
DawnFremy 1 year ago
Same shirt as in the interview! Pretty appropriate for the times in Wisconsin!
DawnFremy 1 year ago
Same shirt as in the interview!
DawnFremy 1 year ago
james tells the truth... the american people have been sold out..by the politicians and corporate greed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MrGrxxx123 1 year ago 2
"Hate the ones that sent the jobs away.".....that says it all right there.
Lendog19 1 year ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
who calls this good song writing????
recalljessica 1 year ago
I heard this on the radio a couple years ago... Had to Google the words to find out who it was... good song...
firefly691972 1 year ago
I saw him at the Aggie in Fort Collins Colorado this summer. It was a great show. We were in the front and he sounded awsome. His songs are very relevant in todays society.
lusletters 1 year ago
He looks like Weird Al singing country!
radshowler 1 year ago
He looks like Weird Al
radshowler 1 year ago
@radshowler ...funniest post ever..I never caught the weird Al thing. and yes I have some 7.5 ml.and the weapons to put em in. learned my lesson in the 60's. we are on our own.
yippierb 1 year ago
james is the man. you'll never hear something like this on the radio because it's based in REALITY, not some fantasy of an america that never existed. country radio songs have about 2 subjects: how awesome the USA is (if you're white), and how awesome it is to have kids (if you're white). connect the dots, folks.
tbzeee 1 year ago 15
@tbzeee The first place I heard this was on a rock station. In Bangor, Maine. Owned by Stephen King. Once I heard it, I got home and looked it up online. It's more relevant now than when it was first released.
BristolSue 4 days ago
Comment removed
psychodominatrix 1 year ago
@psychodominatrix Is that a threat?
iggerdanus 1 year ago
@tgmyt - YAY! Let's fly that hammer and sickle right beside the stars and stripes!
DeathPanelChairman 1 year ago
Comment removed
tgmyt 1 year ago
YAY!
Staplesz 1 year ago
This man tells the truth.
cartiledge 1 year ago 2
"Maybe I'm the fagot America; not a part of a redneck agenda...."
BarKafka 1 year ago
@BarKafka Suck a nut fagatron!
lankey32 1 year ago
dig the dano. Gotta get one of those.
vclubamp 1 year ago 2
NAFTA
12345678919251 1 year ago
beutiful and very true
oldschoolpunkchris1 1 year ago
Great to see this song stirring up so much debate. I think it's great. I'm British, BTW, and if it helps, we're just as f*ck*d over here!
palmerstonian 2 years ago 2
@palmerstonian We're all fucked Brother...God bless ya!
yippierb 2 years ago
Sure would like a cd with this song on it and where'd you hid the body if it or they are available!
Email me here or at stallionseven on myspace.
Thanks,
D'13
DCraigTheodore 2 years ago
this is a really great album...if you havent checked it out, "Live in Aught 3 " is amazing!
frenchmansgirl 2 years ago
i was going to leave a smart commenet to this but i only found idiots fighting
oldschoolpunkchris1 2 years ago
what a great voice.
jamesspencerjackson 2 years ago
love the danelectro guitar!
scottleeper 2 years ago
well paced song getting lots of airtime in ireland
kuruship 2 years ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
hey all check out my JM Video for holiday, very good song you wont regret it!
gummoboy333 2 years ago
"Oh I hate the gov'ment,
More than you hate me
The gov'ment stole my goldfish
And unplugged my t.v."
rickrik00 2 years ago
I love this song. It makes me sad. But I love it anyway.
signifier123 2 years ago
I agree that corporate country SUCKS the big one if that means anything.
am60mo 2 years ago
I would have to disagree with the banner discription of this song, I think its more of a anti capitalist song than it is a war protest song.
I like James stuff, but I just find it hypocritical that with his protests of corporate "everything", on most of his label vids there are ads you have to watch before you can view his video.
Governments the enemy, not the corporations. Some corporation made all the instruments and guitars and drums, most of which were made in Asia I bet.
am60mo 2 years ago
If he has this strong feelings about corporations you can bet that he has an american made guitar
1NickDelle1 2 years ago
actually i bet all those instruments were made in the U.S... it seems like thats we make anymore
dryan1020 2 years ago
no thats a danelectro. made in korea.
am60mo 2 years ago
james mcmurtry is cooool i wish some 1 would post travel show
jonicle234 2 years ago
any chords for me?
1NickDelle1 2 years ago
You can't suss these 3 chords?
pretorious700 2 years ago
apparently not...
1NickDelle1 2 years ago
It's in A...James is capo'ed at the second fret to mimic a G fingering. The chords in the verse are A, G, D, A..the bass throws in the 3rd note of the D (F#) a lot. The chords repeat A, G, D, A one bar apiece in every 4 bar measure, and in the little droning bridge section between each verse A-G-D in 2 bar measures, with A occupying one bar and and G and D the other. It's a very simple song, but effective because the lyrics are so good. Someone else here compared it to Lou Reed, and I agree.
pretorious700 2 years ago
James is the Lou Reed of Country.
LesPaulXXX 2 years ago
dont hate people for imagrating here hate your boss for sending your job to where they can pay a 10 year old a penny a day to do your old job
oldschoolpunkchris 2 years ago 3
I don't hate anyone that migrates 'LEGALLY" and who PAYS TAXES AND FOR THEIR OWN MEDICAL CARE. Not to just send what they make back to their home country which only helps the country theyre running from.
williamstlj530 2 years ago
Fuck corporate country, especially Faith Hill and that faggot husband of hers
pretorious700 2 years ago 23
No Doubt. And theyre just the tip of the iceberg! You cant even call that trash country their all "PoP" stars!
williamstlj530 2 years ago
@pretorious700 enjoy that service ind. job kid.
freefromit 1 year ago
@freefromit That's the best you can do?
pretorious700 1 year ago
@pretorious700 industry hacks
charlesmarlowe27 5 months ago
He's a telling a SAD Truth what America has become...
During the Depression there was Guthrie
In the 60's there was Bob Dylan
Today there is James McMurtry.
This is a SAD TRUTH of what is today!
MarieLora 2 years ago 33
Nice simpleton verses. Egads!
idahodad1 2 years ago
Oh, and THANK YOU, corporatecountrysucks, and Chicago's CAN-TV!
Access TV, part of the solution, in always on the verge of being snuffed out by the corporados and their henchmen..
Please visit the org site, keepusconnected - to learn how to help keep it alive in Illinois.
And visit the Alliance for Community Media's org site, alliancecm, for more info on PEG (public, educational, and government) access TV in your community, state, and nation! ~ Rob McC
And Rock On, James McMurtry!
rghm 3 years ago
Happy Birthday, Mr. McMurtry, and thank you!
rghm 3 years ago
This is the best sample of failure of the neoliberalism. If already they can not take it anymore in the USA, we can imagine how it will be in those poor countries that followed to the letter the recipes imposed by IMF, WB, etc.
Good work brother. From Venezuela, we say that if Bush is a son of devil, then Dick is the father. Deservedly the President Chavez said that there was strong sulphur smell in his UN speech. The puppet GWB stinks.
kurareyakera 3 years ago
this song is awesome
Duder8976 3 years ago 2
I will now provide the right wing reaction:
Stop whining, poor liberals (aren't they always poor?).
You should have
A. been born to a rich family
B. been born smarter
B. gotten a scholarship and gone to college
C. gotten a student loan and gone to college
Then you wouldn't be in your little misery.
Now you want to tax the people who did go to school and worked hard to get where they are (or at least had the good sense to inherit money).
Go cry in your dumpster...
leeroynaggins 3 years ago
I have read this four times, and can not make head or tail of this reply.
davidnewbouldband 3 years ago
It's simply an attempt to show what a typical right wing response to the song might be...
leeroynaggins 3 years ago
Would you like some cheese with your whine?
rickrik00 3 years ago
You want to hear a good one?
George W. Bush once claimed to have this song on his iPod. I swear to God!
Talk about cognitive dissonance!
toterola451 3 years ago
It was like when George Bush Senior and Regan co-opted Springsteens "Born in the USA" as their fist pumping anthem. I wonder if this was their favorite line:
Come back home to the refinery
Hiring man says "Son if it was up to me"
I go down to see the V.A. man
He said "Son don't you understand"
Assholes.
chase6470 3 years ago
Yeah--totally prophetic!!! Give McMurtry and his band a lot of credit. Maxxed out all their credit cards--the guy hit the nail on the head.
nazno 3 years ago
george and james wow ones gone who s going to tell the truth?
phildirt3 3 years ago
McMurtry & Steve Earle are both great at speaking the voice of the common man... & delivering soulful music at the same time.
wineyamehouse 3 years ago
This guy predicted our future 2 years ago, lookie look whats going on today! We all have been getting fucked by business, outsourcing and government for years. Can't wait to see what "change" is gonna do, I fear not much...
fuzzybastard1 3 years ago
james nails it
phildirt3 3 years ago
One of the best songs I've heard in years.
DFORCE1969 3 years ago
This guy is great.
midmodeeredriver 3 years ago 4
Great Song James
customkars4ever 3 years ago 3
Don't worry about it America, leave your head in the sand. Buy bullets and beans, it's too late.
beauchamp43 3 years ago 2
git a job hippie
ethan351 3 years ago
i love james mcmurtry's accent.
jamesspencerjackson 3 years ago
he speaks the truth
neiderhouse 3 years ago 3
Woops! That last comment appeared in the wrong bloody place. Sorry.
mikesakhalin 3 years ago
McMurtry For President!
chapjones 3 years ago 2
i saw him last night in Portsmouth VA.
Wow!! what a talented performer!!
yodhe 3 years ago 2
God, I love him!!
Tinker2e 3 years ago
I can remember in 1990's when the jobs were leaving, me I am lucky I don't work in the factory any more it is closed. Closed in 1998 and now I make better money and don't get my hands dirty. Tech support is what I do now instead of making chemicals.
jerdew 3 years ago
Lurid description of the contrasts that are leading the US toward "class wars". The song predates the new oil cost crisis that is sinking the economy and millions of previous home owners families.
The background drone reminds me of an old 60's song, "Big John" and the words are of real situations that we can all observe for ourselves. I expect to see this song covered by a number of C&W singers in the next few years as it becomes even more relevant.
desertlight 3 years ago
RicButler,if you are referring to my spelling of Rascal Fartts, I intended it that way. If you don't like my politics, fuck you. Did I spell fuck and you correctly?
jamcrane3 3 years ago
jimcrane3 get a GED
RicButler 3 years ago
great song
loungecruz 3 years ago
Fucking brill! What a great song. Come on America. Get some person with a brain to run your wonderful country.
mikesakhalin 3 years ago
I don't even think it matters who we elect anymore. It seems they are all pre selected by the rich....
Chindro2828 3 years ago
It doesn't make a damn who gets elected because this country was long ago bought, paid for, and sold a long time ago. Voting is POINTLESS. Politicians are put in place to let you think that you have a voice and a choice....you don't...we have no choice.
Mowac 3 years ago
They all bypass us in the end like we're a joke. But mark my words.... The meager shall inherit the Earth!
phuongthen 3 years ago
Sad but true.
mikesakhalin 3 years ago 2
Our government is an utter embar ass ment
imboredude 3 years ago 2
move
polarc 3 years ago
We're owned by old men, oil companies, the IRS and the banks. Vote??? Sure....go ahead..I'm sure the country will improve immediately overnight after the 'celebrity' politicians have told us their lies, kissed all the babies, and shook all the hands of those 'supporters' that spent $1000-a-plate for their campaign fundraising. And guess what,we'll all still be in the same shithole before they were elected and after.
Mowac 3 years ago
Yeah, he may seem dark and depressing from a CEO's viewpoint, but to a great many people in this country, what he says is the bitter truth.
I know that we can't end poverty, inequality and discrimination with the standard liberal approaches, but if we would end the insane occupation of Iraq and cut the bloated military budget by 50%, we could make things better for the citizens of this country without any tax increases.
iontxs 3 years ago 2
class act james rock on
defonze 3 years ago 2
While I'm up on my soap box, I would just like to say, that my 43 years of life have led me to the conviction that useless lying bastard politicians come out of all political parties, ethnicities, genders and regions.
jamcrane3 4 years ago 2
Tried to get this to Dobbs, for all the good it'll do. He's only allowed to rale against the corpys to the extent his ratings make them money.
olegeez55 4 years ago
The music in this "song" is intentionally unmelodic--it's only intended as a rhythmic drone to underscore the words. "We Can't Make It" is not a "song"; it's a poem. And a damn good one. McMurtry uses host of literary devices--rhyme, metaphor, hyperbole, repetition, punning, etc.--to embue it with power.
tammanraset 4 years ago 4
Most people would rather listen to
Rascal Fartts.
jamcrane3 4 years ago
tammanraset, most people don't get my sense of humour. I am a big fan of the McMurtry family, father and son. I enjoy literature and music of substance. You do to. Again, most people would rather listen to
Rascal Fartts, and Shania Twine, and
Blonde Barbie Doll Country Singer Princess.
jamcrane3 4 years ago 2
i feel we have..the same message in mind
stevewestwood2007 4 years ago 2
Jeezoos - hates "gay upatriotic liberuls"
and loves corporations that ship your job
to China and bring poisonous toys back into
America to give your kids lead poisoning to
lower their IQ and make them docile little
sheep obediendly slurping FOX bullshit.
Maybe Jeezoos is really evil corporate slave-
master and Satan is true American patriot that
still understand what FREEDOM is.
woland99 4 years ago 3
Heard you on Austin City Limits -- great sound, thanks.
8495021 4 years ago
It's globalization stupid. I as an American do NOT want to live similar to those in China, Taiwan, Indonesia, or anywhere else!!! The corporations that are moving their operations overseas are UNPATRIOTIC!!
evilfurby1 4 years ago 2
I heard you on KPIG today! I listen to KPIG and that is how I found about you! You are soo great!! I love you!! Peace!!
Tinker2e 4 years ago
These NeoConservatives who post on here just can't digest Truth! They get mad and scream "Liberal!" And use alot of foul words to make their point! They just hate true Freedom, Dissent, Questioning THEIR politicians, A Free Press, and anyone who is not one of them! Bad as the Extremist Liberals! Long Live Our Free American Republic!
SilentSepia 4 years ago
It's not really that, SilentSepia. We just can't digest shitty music. The left-wing lyrics and retro-hippie presentation doesn't help but the fundamental problem is that the music is garbage. It's repetitive and boring.
RicPhlare 4 years ago
It is not Left Wing, Centrist, nor Right Wing.
It is just an American Singer/Songwriter from The Heartland writing about truths that affect the whole of Our Land.
Pretty strong opinion must be behind the hateful words of calling this gargage, let me guess, you are a Right Winger!
It is a FREE LAND! James McMurtry is FREE to write and sing about OUR Nation.
You Right Wingers are just as politically correct as your opposites on The Left, anyone to disagree with you is garbage.
SilentSepia 4 years ago
I gotta go with RickPhare on this one. It's as though McMurtry has captured the essence of Al Gore's personality and preachiness. The monotony is numbing. It was 6 and a half minutes too long.
HelmutHedd 4 years ago
I guess if the goal was to put the boringness of Al Gore or Hillary Clinton to music, he succeeded.
HelmutHedd 4 years ago
Say, are you aware that Al Gore volunteered for the US Army and served in Vietnam despite the fact that he most certainly did not have to? People like that can't be trusted to take care of this country.
jamcrane3 4 years ago
Right on SilentSepia. I am a proud veteran, a proud taxpayer, I do jury duty, I vote every chance I get, and I work harder than 90% of my fellow men. I am also a Proud Tax and Spend Liberal Democrat. Anybody don't like that can kiss my Charlie Daniels and
Kris Kristofferson and James McMurtry lovin'
long haired country boy white ass.
jamcrane3 4 years ago
At least you're honest. Too bad the rest of the left can't be that honest.
You know you can always give additional money to the government if you think you aren't paying enough. The problem I have with 'tax and spend' liberals is that it doesn't stop with just you. You want me to pay more. I pay quite enough, thanks.
HelmutHedd 4 years ago
HelmutHedd, truth is, I'm sure you pay plenty. I just gotta believe it could be put to use better than the right is doing. And I also ain't noticed the right gaining no monopoly on telling the truth to the American people.
jamcrane3 4 years ago
And honestly, I aint trying to pick a fight, but I would genuinely like to hear a response to this. Every conservative I ever met says they pay too much taxes or "quite enough". Yet you folks tend to elect presidents who increase our national debt exponentially, so that most of our tax dollars, and most epecially those of our children and grandchildren not even born, will be used just to service the interest on the debt. What gives with the inherent fiscal conflict in conservative politics?
jamcrane3 4 years ago
You have to look a little deeper at what's actually going on. More than 60% of the US budget goes to entitlements like social security,medicare, medicaid, etc. Social spending dwarfs everything else. Bush inherited this. Each President inherits things, good or bad, of his predecessors.
HelmutHedd 4 years ago
Clinton benefitted from Reagan's policies. The effects of the tax cuts put more money in the US treasury, enabling him to have large surpluses. It wasn't his doing. Conversely he chose popularity and polls over doing the right thing. Clinton didn't need a crystal ball to see what entitlements would cost as the 'baby boom' generation gets older in the yeard 2000-2025.
HelmutHedd 4 years ago
Clinton didn't want to bother with things like fixing social security for the next 2-3 administrations. None of the politicians want to face reality on it today.
More socialist entitlements, as proposed by Shrillary and the Democrats, is left-wing selfishness and irresponsibility at its worst. "Free" health care would be financially disastrous for future taxpayers.
HelmutHedd 4 years ago
Bush's attempts to address the social security problem were well-intentioned and may have been successful 10 years ago. Any effective change is impossible given the political climate of recent years.
HelmutHedd 4 years ago
The seeming paradox of all this is that the only real answer is tax cuts. Tax cuts hurt the treasury in the short-term, but bring more money in the long-term. Reagan proved it.
I've never met a liberal who seems able to grasp this concept. Liberal ideas of taxing and 'soaking the rich' have never worked and in fact, are middle class killers.
HelmutHedd 4 years ago
Lowering income tax rates across the board is the solution. Closing loopholes and simplification are also needed. This is the direction Bush has set up for the next administration(s).
The only way to stop the politicians from spending more is to give them less. Tax cuts will be the issue in 2008.
HelmutHedd 4 years ago
OFF with thier heads is the solution !
rfhat 4 years ago
fuck reagan.
hes a criminal, he commited high treason by selling arms to contra.
the rich pay less tax, and its wrong
birdiejoehoaks 3 years ago
birdiejoehoaks, Big Ronnie also traded weapons to the Iranians in return for their influence in releasing hostages around the Mideast. When you have that much influence in getting them released, that means you have equal influence in holding them. I get so tired of fucking lying demagogue politicians.
jamcrane3 3 years ago
i know man
Drinkpourer 3 years ago
Don't forget, Ronnie got in thanks to tbe Iran Hostage crisis. Ronnie's scumbags met Iranians in Paris, where it was agreed they'd hold the hostages until Jimmy Carter was destroyed, and the hostages were released on Ronnie's Coronation Day, 1/20/81. It was another Bush fix, then he got the VP spot. The beginning of our longest national nightmare, still underway.Like Mr. McMurury's song says,the fatcats have stolen all the money for their damn little war,and the world hates us. Good going,Bush.
wygakyl 3 years ago
And paid for the arms by importing cocaine and inventing crack for the ghetto. The basterds enlisted "Freeway Ricky", an LA dealer/gang member, who helped supply the crack to networks across the US, thereby creating the "Bloods and Crips" gang wars, and crack epidemic. When journalist Gary Webb wrote his brilliant expose on the whole thing, they destroyed Webb,literally. They found him here in his Sacramento area apartment, dead of "a self-inflicted gunshot wound".But there was 2 bullets in him.
wygakyl 3 years ago
Orielly's Numbers? No You can't blame Haliburton's war on Clintom
rfhat 4 years ago 2
I'm a coserv... Rock on. we had our chance with Pat. Hunker down it is over
yippierb 4 years ago
I'll reply to myself. Fuck em all!
yippierb 3 years ago
Jamcrane3: "Yet you folks tend to elect presidents who increase our national debt exponentially".
1. Presidents are elected by the majority of the electors in the electoral college, not by "conservatives". The last true conservative to even gain the nomination was probably Barry Goldwater, who lost horribly.
ricwoz 3 years ago
"Pretty strong opinion must be behind the hateful words of calling this gargage, let me guess, you are a Right Winger!"
Just an FYI-there's nothing 'hateful' about my comments. There was nothing hateful directed at McMurtry or any poster. It was simply a judgement on a song.
Why does it bother you when I said it was garbage?
Why do you care what I think anyway? I couldn't care less about your opinion.
HelmutHedd 4 years ago
Blows my mind every time... I also see he's wearin' a "Maintenance Shop" t-shirt in this clip. ALL HAIL IOWA! M-Shop is on the ISU campus in Ames, Iowa. All the greats, blues, jazz, & rock, have played there.
djpimpstick 4 years ago
Tell it like it is, brother.
djonathang 4 years ago 2
The song is good but the video is idiotic. Vote Democrat? They are just as globalist as the GOP.
R0773N 4 years ago
I think McMurtry would agree with you. He wrote this in response to unregulated trade and loss of manufacturing jobs. He's not telling you what party to vote for - just that workers deserve some respect.
Verified1 4 years ago
Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, I agree with you on that. Globalist is the same thing that I call a corporate, right-wing, sell-out, third way idiot like Bill Clinton. My guess is you're a libertarian. I see the problem is with capitalism in general. You probably see it a bit differently.
westphalianprinz 4 years ago
It depends on which Democrat you vote for. If you vote for the top two, then it's the same old crap.
westphalianprinz 4 years ago 2