Beck: Springsteen’s ‘Born in the USA’ is ‘anti-American,’ ‘propaganda’

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A song that's been played over speakers at hundreds of campaign rallies, vibrated in the space between drinks at everyone's favorite bar and set millions of heads nodding from radio stations coast to coast -- a piece of music that is literally stitched into the fabric of American blue-collar culture, Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" -- is, according to right-wing pundit Glenn Beck, "anti-American" and "propaganda" that people must "wake up" from.

The truth hurts sometimes but it's not "propaganda" or "antiAmerican" it's expression by an artist of how he sees the world he lives in. I wonder when Mr. Beck will try and limit freedom of expression of those he sees as opponents.

Mr. Beck along with other right wing spokespeople are apparently trying to divide the American people into two camps. Predominately angry white people and everyone else. A fools errand in my opinion.

The likely reason Beck is attacking someone far more talented than himself is because Springsteen has endorsed a number of Democrats, including President Obama. Springsteen even put on a show at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. He did the same for Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) near the end of the 2004 presidential campaign.

For the record, I'm not a big Springsteen fan; much to "pop" an overproduced for my tastes but he certainly has the right to express himself the way he sees fit . Just like Mr. Beck.




[edit on 12-3-2010 by whaaa]

reply to post by whaaa


As a Huge Springsteen fan, I must comment my Biased opinion.

You are wrong, and right.

It is not Negative Propaganda, it is reality.

Althought most people just hear the chorus part - Born in the USA-

and think hes bellowing out about the good ole USA.

The lyrics are telling the real Inside Story of the changes in the US .

If you want another True Song of the US , I present to you

MY HOMETOWN .with lyrics

propaganda is when your talking about something that may or may not be true.
old bruce was just telling his life story .
whats with ppl now man i miss the music with a messege .
wanna talk about propaganda try rap kill this person that person its defintly has soul dark as the moonless cloudy night soul.
the messeges alot of music sends now is hate

Bruce made a song about how he feels. Fine. Now, the way it has been used by others over the years, that can qualify as propaganda. I have no specific instances but I know how this song and others have been used to create this illusion that the USA can do no wrong.

It has been turned into propaganda over the years but wasn't originally intended to be propaganda. I think Bruce isn't that smart to understand propaganda and how to use it. He just used a catchy phrase to sell his song and album(same title).

Interesting thought I just had about that record cover. Seems like the record company knew something about propaganda as they used that song as the title of the album and put his ass on the cover(don't tell me chicks don't like to see that or that only chicks can be used to sell sex). I doubt Bruce made all those decisions all by his lonesome self as he's a musician not a propagandist.
I'm not one of those who believes all musicians are in league with the NWO or Satanists. I believe musicians are, for the most part, regular Joes with the ability to make music and are too busy with making music and what goes along with a successful career to even think about propaganda, back-masking, etc. Many musicians may be aware of things going on but that just makes them good observers and not NWO shills. Having known many many musicians over the years I just cannot buy into most of it.

Some, a very few, are propagandists. Look at the real old days and people like The Weavers. Folk music has been known for years to be full of propaganda, mostly against government and not for it.

Not that I disagree with what Bruce said in the article and was quoted from in another interview, I just don't hold musicians up to such a lofty standard and give their words so much credence. They are not heroes(not sure if I know what a hero really is but that's not the discussion at hand) nor are they Gods. Just people who have to put lyrics to music and they say what they think, about the things they see and do.

Even a fool such as myself has his moments and every musician has theirs. Doesn't mean they are up to something.

Personally, I think his music is as exciting as a bag of rocks. Why people think he's some great musician or great songwriter is totally beyond my comprehension but that really has nothing to do with anything. He bores me to no end. Whatever, different strokes and all that jazz.

This song is simply another song in the american populist tradition of song writing, like the work of Woody Guthrie. Springsteen isnt near the political populist icon Woody was as Woody focused primarly on idealogical conflicts that developed out of the economic problems of his day. While Bruce hits on this in some of his music "Johnny 99" ect he has for the most part not been a political commentator.

As far as "Born in the USA" deals with discontent and contradictions interperated in a certain light, its sort of a common mans aggravation i.e. we fight the yellow man over ideals only to come back to live in the shadow of a miserabel industrial world which Bruse sees to be not really any sort of paradise. Bruce is rather nagative and bleeding here but his sentiments are not without reality in the "working mans" heart. So then its souldnt be any suprise to anyone that a socialistic leaning polititcal party that taps into this discontent as its primary power source would use this song. "We'er here for yea" but they are not really. But the song isnt really unamerican anymore than John Mellencapms "Rain on the Scarcrow" is unamerican. I mean somebodys going to bitch about it. After all this is what you get in a country that harps on idealisim and builds facades that are easly upset by "market" conditions. Better to preach reality then. Dave Ramsey style.

I agree with Becks general direction in attacking the song, as used, as a sort of very limited interpretation of the issues it covers to paint the condition and attitude of the whole. Used like this and taken out of its narrow application it provides a very phoney clanking sound. The song as an oberservation or refelction of attitues is one thing but like the party that uses it as a political anthem, its very clumsy

reply to post by xxcalbier


Not entirely true Immortal Technique raps about the state of the world and how its better to read a book then sell drugs. His music hits hard and is visceral but most of his music is about the propaganda model of the media and the relationship between the 1st world and third world as well the use of economic policy to ensalve. He's rather lyrical and the first artist to make me appreciate rap.

The big difference is he isn't on a major label. He turned sony records down and wrote songs about the exact point you made. Most of the stuff that reaches the mainstream is mass produced and marketed by the labels to sell records. The artists are sellouts in my oppinion, but there are many who use rap to reach youths and spread a better message.

Lets face it rock today is the same thing. The songs are about relationships (hasn't been anew word sung on this topic in years, just the same ol' garbage) or its about how awesome the rock star lifestyle is. Again, you can find many artists that talk of topical things but its like anything.

You want propaganda at its worst, look at modern pop music. Its the worst for selling a souless message to people. Materialism and sex are the keys to happiness according to most of it. All music is a vehicle for selling other products or lifestyles. If you look, you will find those artists that don't play into it they just aren't marketed by the machine so there harder to spot.

Cheers

I always found it humerous that people use the song as a "USA, USA, USA" kinda rallypoint. The lyrics tell a different story, still a good Song. I don't consider it anti-American or propaganda, just a singer telling a story.

Bruce Springsteen was not slamming the US nor was he telling a story about himself or how he feels...he was telling the story of the Vietnam vet.

Born down in a dead man's town
The first kick I took was when I hit the ground
You end up like a dog that's been beat too much
'Til you spend half your life just covering up

[chorus:]
Born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.

I got in a little hometown jam
And so they put a rifle in my hands
Sent me off to Vietnam
To go and kill the yellow man

[chorus]

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"

[chorus]

I had a buddy at Khe Sahn
Fighting off the Viet Cong
They're still there, he's all gone
He had a little girl in Saigon
I got a picture of him in her arms

Down in the shadow of the penitentiary
Out by the gas fires of the refinery
I'm ten years down the road
Nowhere to run, ain't got nowhere to go

I'm a long gone Daddy in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
I'm a cool rocking Daddy in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.

www.lyricsdomain.com...

And any of us who are or know a Vietnam vet knows this story.

And while beck is an idiot he is still smarter than the people who believe his tripe.

[edit on 3/12/2010 by iMacFanatic]

reply to post by thebulldog


Immortal Technique is absolute quality. 'Dance with the Devil', 'Harlem Streets', 'Freedom of Speech' all deal with many issues discussed on this board such as the War on Terror, 9/11, Drugs, Poverty, Racism, Corruption. I would not be surprised if he was a member.

It actually has impressed me how Beck has managed to bring "patriotism" to the level of a mental disorder.

I remember seeing him speak of the Iraq war and it was so obvious that he had bound his personal ego with the actions of our country, a state which required (in his view) military engagement in order to feel good about himself as a man. This type of thinking is IMO very dangerous in our leaders, and should be more recognized when it occurs.

And before people freak-out, not everyone who considers themselves a patriot has a mental disorder. Glen Beck on the other hand, definitely does for the reasons cited above. And he's not the only one. I very much wish I could link to the piece but it was years ago.

And the irony of Beck accusing an American icon of being propaganda on the airwaves of the biggest propaganda network is delicious. Beck has the self awareness of a houseplant.

The few times I have watched beck I have ended up thinking to myself...this man needs to be watched...on a ward someplace.

I find it almost impossible to understand how people can watch him and think he is functionally sane or worse even knows what he is talking about...or could take him seriously.

I know its an act (actually I hope its an act) but I found myself embarrassed for him.

I guess the CPAC speech will forever be the pinacle of his career. Moments like this make Michael Savage seem nearly sane.

OK I listened to the audio clip from Beck's radio show that was so gleefully edited and provided by Media Matters. If you listen carefully, it is not Beck who said "anti American" or "Propaganda". It was his guest or co-host.

The propaganda aspect was taken out of context as well. When that word was used it was not directed at this song. It was a general comment for people to wake up out of the propaganda in general and to wake up from the dream state.

Go MEDIA MATTERS!

Originally posted by xxcalbier
propaganda is when your talking about something that may or may not be true.
old bruce was just telling his life story .
whats with ppl now man i miss the music with a messege .
wanna talk about propaganda try rap kill this person that person its defintly has soul dark as the moonless cloudy night soul.
the messeges alot of music sends now is hate

im born in the usa
with a silver spoon and ready to roll
if they think thats hate let them try to take
it from me

Beck is a moron!
And, he is "anti-American" because everything he does serves to undermine the grass roots movement of the Tea Parties, and so-called militias, and regular folks that see a problem with our current state of affairs..

Now, for the song at hand, it is meant in a Patriotic Fashion, even if it is honest about the situation.

I give you Toby Keith's newest lyrics for "American Ride." It is a sadly honest account of our current state of affairs, and it comes from one of the most Patriotic Americans in the media!

Winter's gettin' colder, summer's gettin' warmer.
Tidal wave comin' 'cross the Mexican border.
Why buy a gallon, it's cheaper by the barrel.
Just dont get busted singin' Christmas carols.

Thats us, that's right
Gotta love this American ride.
Both ends of the ozone burnin.
Funny how the world keeps turnin.
Look ma, no hands.
I love this American ride.
Gotta love this American ride.

Momma gets her rocks off watchin' Desperate Housewives.
Daddy works his can off payin' for the good life.
Kids on the YouTube learnin how to be cool.
Livin in a cruel world, pays to be a mean girl.

Thats us, Thats right
Gotta love this American ride.
Both ends of the ozone burnin.
Funny how the world keeps turnin.
Look ma, no hands.
I love this American ride.
Gotta love this American ride.

Poor little infamous America's town.
She gained five pounds and lost her crown.
Quick fix plastic surgical antidote.
Got herself a record deal, cant even sing a note.

Plasma gettin bigger, Jesus gettin smaller.
Spill a cup of coffee, make a million dollars.
Customs caught a thug with an aerosol can.
If the shoe don't fit, fits gonna hit the shan.

Thats us, Thats right
Gotta love this American ride.
Both ends of the ozone burnin.
Funny how the world keeps turnin.
Hot dog, Hot damn.
I love this American ride.
Gotta love this American ride.
Oh yeah,
na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na........... nanananananana

If Beck were correct, then everybody with their eyes open and looking honestly in the mirror is "Un-American."

Again, Beck = Moron, Palin, FOX news, and everybody else that attempts to speak on my behalf and make a buck doing it is a moron! Nobody on TV speaks for me, or my Tea Party, or any of my buddies that see things eroding rapidly!

beck...the big fat blowhard and their ilk are the political equivalent of televangelists... i.e. what used to be called snake oil salesmen.

They make used car salesmen look like pillars of moral rectitude and honesty.

beck is one of these people who i call back riders ... they do not create anything they manipulate others work for thier needs .

whats beck need? so far i only need ratting whore + a president a$$ licker.

he will tell you things you wana hear and then bam out of the blue he stabs you in the back with theories like :truthers gona attack white house" etc.

this guy is more fooked up than the pentagon shooter

Originally posted by reassor
beck is one of these people who i call back riders ... they do not create anything they manipulate others work for thier needs .

whats beck need? so far i only need ratting whore

+ a president a$$ licker.

he will tell you things you wana hear and then bam out of the blue he stabs you in the back with theories like :truthers gona attack white house" etc.

this guy is more fooked up than the pentagon shooter

I call em "coattail surfers" but both names are far to friendly. They really need their own Genus and Species from the parasitic family in which they reside!

Springs got it coming when he lets his work be used by a bunch of social dope pushers. Wow what hes doing lending his artistic whatever to support their con job. He turns down 12 mill for the songs use in a commercial and then lets a bunch of gangster bail outs use it. I say have at it Glenn.

Reagan mentioned the song in a speech and Bruce called it "co-opting".

While campaigning in New Jersey in 1984, Ronald Reagan said in his speech: "America's future rests in a thousand dreams inside your hearts. It rests in the message of hope in songs so many young Americans admire: New Jersey's own Bruce Springsteen. And helping you make those dreams come true is what this job of mine is all about."

Springsteen talked about this in a 2005 interview with National Public Radio. Said Bruce: "This was when the Republicans first mastered the art of co-opting anything and everything that seemed fundamentally American, and if you were on the other side, you were somehow unpatriotic. I make American music, and I write about the place I live and who I am in my lifetime. Those are the things I'm going to struggle for and fight for."

[edit on 12-3-2010 by Logarock]

Born in the USA anti-American?

What's that gray thing underneath Glen Beck's feet? Is it a large, fish-like animal with many teeth and a fin that protrudes from the water........