What song best sums up the previous year?


Is there a song that stands out to you that for any reason sums up the year 2005?
128x128nrchy
Loser
Beck
ALBUM: Mellow Gold

In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey
butane in my veins so i'm out to cut the junkie
with the plastic eyeballs, spray paint the vegetables
dog food stalls with the beefcake pantyhose
kill the headlights and put it in neutral
stock car flamin' with a loser and the cruise control
baby's in Reno with the vitamin D
got a couple of couches sleep on the love seat
someone keeps sayin' I'm insane to complain
about a shotgun wedding and a stain on my shirt
don't believe everything that you breathe
you get a parking violation and a maggot on your sleeve
so shave your face with some mace in the dark
savin' all your food stamps and burnin' down the trailer park

(yo cut it)

Soy un perdedor
I'm a loser baby so why don't you kill me?

(double-barrel buckshot)

Soy un perdedor
i'm a loser baby, so why don't you kill me?

Forces of evil in a bozo nightmare
banned all the music with a phony gas chamber
'cuz one's got a weasel and the other's got a flag
one's got on the pole shove the other in a bag
with the rerun shows and the cocaine nose job
the daytime crap with the folksinger slop
he hung himself with a guitar string
slap the turkey neck and it's hangin' on a pigeon wing
you can't write if you can't relate
trade the cash for the beef for the body for the hate
and my time is a piece of wax fallin' on a termite
who's chokin' on the splinters

Soy un perdedor
I'm a loser baby so why don't you kill me?

(get crazy with the cheeze whiz)

Soy un perdedor
I'm a loser baby so why don't you kill me?

(drive-by body pierce)

(yo bring it on down)

soooooooyy....

(I'm a driver I'm a winner things are gonna change I can feel it)

Soy un perdedor
I'm a loser baby so why don't you kill me?

(I can't believe you)

Soy un perdedor
I'm a loser baby so why don't you kill me?

Soy un perdedor
I'm a loser baby so why don't you kill me?

[repeat]

(Sprechen sie Deutches, baby)

Soy un perdedor
I'm a loser baby so why don't you kill me?

(Know what I'm sayin'?)

Happy freakin New Year!!!

John
"My Uncle", I believe that the original version was done by the Flying Burrito Brothers, a live version appears on "Last Of The Red Hot Burritos", but there is a really nice cover on Steve Earle's "Sidetracks" album.
Marty
Jdombrow - Some of us like to be lied to, while our Treasury is plundered, while our international reputation is destroyed, while we send those who volunteered to defend our borders away to be targets without proper equipment or training for the mission and no support when they return, while the principles of a religion of love is perveted to support a culture of hate avarice and war, while a country founded on the value of people is sold out to corporate interests, while the resources needed to rebuild our own country are squandered, and while our leaders flaunt their sacred oath to support protect and defend the Constitution. Our patriotism is so heavy that it totally squeezes out cognizance. How simple of you to notice. Shame on you for attempting to awaken us!
I was thinking when I placed this post about the song "The Living Years" since my friend Pat 'Lugnut' Malone died, and my father was on his death bed.

I certainly didn't expect the idiotic, sophomoric, and uninformed political drivel that has been the substance of the responses...

It is tragic to live in a nation of people who are so obviously stupid!!!

This makes me think that Pat, and my father got out in time!
Sorry for your loss .

Yeah I know what you mean. I was able to read your mind when you posted, I guess they're not as spiritual as you are.

All I can say from having spent quite a lot of time with Pat is that he would be ashamed that you so speak so callously to a community of which you are a member. Compassion and understanding is not conditional, and yet you make it so. Next time you want specific responses, fill them in yourself.

I'm sorry for your loss, Nate, truly. And I'm sorry for your insensivity as well. Re-read your post again. It leaves all options available as far as responses go. If you don't realize that you live in a highly polarized nation, you are either not paying attention, not asking questions, or simply too busy labeling the idiots. Well, you can consider me one of them, and I'm grateful that Pat found it so easy to love me for it.
My biggest issue with the responses is that as soon as anyone asks a question about anything other than what kind of amp should I buy to go with my new Joseph Abboud shirt, it turns into some anti-Bush thoughtless tirade.

Are stereo gear and radical left-wing politics the only thing going on in peoples lives???

Sorry for not narrowing the question enough, but I didn't know I would have to be that narrow to get a meaningful answer!

Maybe I don't belong on AudiogoN anymore, if I ever did???
Nate and Howard;

You both have valid points in my opinion. Howard and I have different politics in many ways, yet it goes without saying that he's a very intelligent guy- and his opinion is something I respect.

Here's what's REALLY sad to me: Our national politics have devolved to a vehement, rhetorical, bareknuckled brawl on both sides of the aisle.

What happened to guys like Truman? Fervent believer in so many traditional liberal causes yet respectful of his opponents- many of whom were close friends? Or Lincoln- smart enough to surround himself with people who DISAGREED with him on a daily basis?

I thought 9/11 was a wake up call. But with guys like Dick Durbin,Pat Robertson and others spouting endless hot headed rhetoric, it's obvious that we can't respect one another's opinions at the National level.

It's okay to dislike Bush or Kennedy politically. But to openly spout HATE toward these people shows a lack of restraint and political maturity.

There. I think Nate, Howard and Lugnut would all agree on that one.
I agree entirely, Dan. We are experiencing what I see as a retardation of meaningful discussion in this country, and I happen to believe that governmental heirarchies impact the country in exactly the same way that parents and CEO's do in their respective environments, setting the tone of discussion/tolerance/money management/sense of entitlement/greed/etc. right from the top on down. While I can't readily think of a song to represent that particular dynamic, the one title I skewed (in half jest, albeit) is for me representative of the past year, and applicable to politicians, corporate executives, moralistic leaders, and others who "Like Iraq" throw up a smoke-and-mirrors image of themselves while operating in a world of deceit. This phenomenon extends beyond party lines, religious affiliations, and bullshit commitments to customer service. We've become experts at lying about who we are, and most effectively so to ourselves, to the point that we believe the charade and thus are mostly impervious to a truthful dissection of our actions. In other words, we are being taught that personal responsibility and honesty are nothing more than fodder for building a fictitious self-image. People complain about kids not being responsible for themselves? It starts at the top, with this endless array of scandals and lies. Again, I'm not simply pointing the finger at Bush. Rather, it is the tone that has been set by his government, one that actually honors deceit, and one in which all discussion shall not venture beyond the surface.

I'm not sure any of the responses given here would be representative of a radical left, as Nate mentioned. I don't think any of us is out tossing molotov coctails at WTO meetings. Nor were any of the responses overt expressions of hatred toward Bush. Indeed, 9/11 was a wake-up call, and I happen to believe that "you're either with us or against us" fired the starter's pistol on this volatile state of affairs. Because from that point on, unrestrained and unsubstantiated became the name of the game. As the economic future of our esteemed country is being whittled away, we fling names and moralistic epithets at each other, having now been charged with the supreme duty of separating the patriots from the enemies within. At the same time, Bill O'Reilly suggests that it would be a good idea for Al Qaeda to annhiliate San Francisco. Forget damaging the morale of the troops, he's encouraging terrorists to blow up an American city!

Nate, whether or not you feel you belong on this site is up to you. There is no question that you have offered an immense amount of valuable discussion and useful audio recommendations within these threads. Personally, I hope you choose to continue. The Internet is tough sometimes, especially because many of the tools we use to communicate (vocal fluctuations, facial expressions, gesticulations, etc.) cannot be infused into this simple exchange of words. It's also difficult because most of us have never actually met in person, which if we did it would help to deepen subsequent conversations.

We live in a volatile time, one that might take us aback while looking at it 20-30 years from now. Dan, you said something last week about the selfish nature of man, something that really got me thinking. You said:
to describe human nature as "selfish" is not unlike calling an elephant large. What we call "selfishness" is simply a basic human trait.
This is a quality with which I've never been comfortable, and always wished it was different. But as you say, it just is. It certainly explains the corporate scandals, the mass genocides, the falsifying of pharmaceutical data, cheating on taxes, and so on. Ultimately, it might also explain another human trait: the desire to live beyond it. While I'm not convinced this is possible, we do have our moments. And many times, they occur right here in this community. Thank you, Dan.

Barb is here, so we're off for a drive in the foothills. Enjoy your weekend, you guys.

Howard
While I'll admit that I am definitely not a fan of George Bush, my link to the video was meant as a humorous response to the question, and I'm sorry if it truly angered anyone.

JD
JD, I found the video to be quite entertaining and dead on politically. I have since forwarded it to everyone in my my address book. Why do you feel the need to apologize? These threads are a public forum, open to different views. The key word being "public". It never ceases to amaze me when your opinion might not be the same as someone else's somebody always resorts to name calling and worse. Right or left, what makes this the BEST country in the world is forums like this that give us all a chance to express our thoughts and ideas.
“The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naïve and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who likes his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair.”
H.L. Mencken
Boa2

Just feel like alittle balance is required here:

"At the same time, Bill O'Reilly suggests that it would be a good idea for Al Qaeda to annhiliate San Francisco. Forget damaging the morale of the troops, he's encouraging terrorists to blow up an American city!"

I'm sure Mr. O'Reilly would find this to be an ammusing post, as do I. However, People reading this thread who do not watch or listen to O'Reilly, as often as I do, and perhaps, you should, might take what you have said as being factual.
The fact is: O'Reilly, often times uses SATIRE to make his point. He was using the Al Qaeda vs. San Fran. secario, to point out the ridiculous ideology that has caused San Fran. to prohibit military recruitment in their (S.F.)shcools during a time of war.

Mr. O'Reilly clearly understands the dangers this enemy presents to EVERY American. It is so sad that every American doesn't clearly understand the nature of this enemy.

Just a point of balance.
"perfect sense" parts 1 and 2 from roger waters' "amused to death." likely sums up the coming year as well.
In case anyone is interested, this is the story on Mr. O'Reilly's comments. He suggested (among other things) that the terrorists should blow up Coit Tower, which is in fact a monument to firefighters.

Appreciate the attempt to balance this point, Paul (Oldpet), but in all of the time I have watched Mr. O'Reilly, the word 'balanced' has never come to mind as representative of his delivery, or content. He (like others, yes) has a specific agenda. He is not a reporter. He is a well-compensated pawn for the Rupert Murdoch conservative agenda, a mono-chromatic politicizer of issues, and completely out of line to suggest to this dangerous enemy to which you refer should blow up an American city. This is not balance, and it is without question NOT satirical. It also would not be tolerated had Al Franken or Michael Moore said it, nor should it be. This is a heinous invitation to bring the violence here to the US. Sorry, not funny.

As I've always said, if you believe in the war, put your money where your mouth is and suit up. Go and fight, or your words are meaningless. I can tell you one thing, however. I wouldn't want them recruiting in my kid's high school. Nor do I want Procter & Gamble paying for their audio/video equipment either, for obvious reasons.

Mr. O'Reilly understands sales. He understands politics. We might even say he understands the Clinton-esque side of backroom sexcapades. But he does not understand the first thing about the current geo-political scenario in which we are ensconced. He's not a newsman. He is not a sage. He is a barking firestarter, and paid extremely well for being exactly that.
Wow, a lot of negative miserable people out there. I had a rough year personally, but I will elaborate on "It's the end of the world as we know it" and say "but I feel fine" -It was another year that I was alive and have the freedom and funds to enjoy such a hobby. I appreciate what I have.

I hope the miserable people with all the negative views will have a better year in 2006, but somehow I think it is like this every year for them. And of course it's all Bush's fault that they are miserable not their own ;)
I consider everything O'Reilly says satire, ESPECIALLY when he's trying to be serious. He should stick to sexual harassment of female staffers. Can you say out of court hush money settlement Bill? I think ya can! The only thing more laughable is Rush Limbaugh's hard line on drug offenders!
Wow, a lot of negative miserable people out there.
Who's miserable? Vocal, perhaps. Dissatisfied with certain aspects of our nation's governance, sure. But certainly not miserable. In fact, none of the respondents spoke of being miserable. Glad to see you're so happy and appreciative. A true blessing.
"Don't Let me be misunderstood" is the most memorable song I had. I remembered the first time I heard it from a DEMO CASSETTE TAPE when I bought my Nakamichi 680ZX cassette deck during the early 80s. That song was sung by a black singer(I imagine so! ) wish someone out there can really help me who that singer is.
There are a number versions of that song, Buynow:
Eric Burdon & the Animals (probably the one you refer to)
Nina Simone
Elvis Costello

...and I'm sure there are more.
Well this is my THIRD attempt to join this thread: My vote for song summing up the year for the country is B.Y.O.B(Bring Your Own Bombs) by System of a Down. With a rippeng roar of "Why do they always send the poor". "why doesn't the President fight the war, why do they always send the poor" pretty much sums up the WAR. Well Nrchy wether it's Bush, Cheney, Rummy, Wolfy, it seems that the Neo Cons have taken over the Gov, especially sence Bush says his not beholden to laws enacted by Congress, for things like torture. When will this country stop invading others under false pretenses for Wall Street. Whatever happen to Kennedy's idea of no Pax American inflicted by weapons of war, now we see this as the only solution. SAD

Personally though for me it was a good year, with attending a SUN Dance at the sacred pipestone quarries. I caught the last three days of dancing, and for me those Sun Dance songs were the best of my year! I can still feel that drum beat when I think back to dancing in +100 degree heat. To me this is where it's at. Dennis Banks(AIM) said that the soldiers should just replace their American Flags with Bechtel Logos, kind of sums it up for me. True it's to the point and Black and White but the Internet is not really the medium for true communication. Nrchy I too have wondered if I belong here too, but feel it's just as good as being a catalyst as anything else.
Buynow,

It was SANTA ESMERALDA :)

For you it was 680zx and for me it was Nakamichi 700 Tri-Tracer!
Boa2,

Yes it is a true blessing!

When you sum up a whole year with a negative statement, that would be miserable to me. But I guess others thrive on negative, so maybe they are negative and happy. Good for them. Or maybe they are unhappy that Bush won 2 out of 2 elections.
No More Censorship - Scream
Don't Censor Me - Audio Adrenaline
Censor - Skinny Puppy

Oops! I'd better shut-up, or the NSA will access all my email.
"Boa, did you serve? If not, shut up."

C'mon, Charlie, you wouldn't say that to the president would you?
I thought so. Another arm chair political expert. You never had or have the guts to serve. Squawk squawk squawk huh? I can hear the chicken clucking from here.
Didn't he serve in the National Guard? Where was your service, Girl Scouts or Brownies? Or couldn't you make the grade there?
You never had or have the guts to serve.
You are making no sense, Charlie. Read my comments again. What do they have to do with me serving/not serving in the military?
Charlie 101- Just because someone "did'nt serve" it doesn't mean they don't love their country or that they are cowards. People are entitled to their opinions- even those different than yours.

By the way- I didn't serve either. Never wanted to sign up. By your criteria for patriotism and bravery, I'm a coward as well. Never mind the fact that my Dad was killed in the line of duty in the US Navy in '64, and I'm a political conservative.

Come on, let's calm down a bit buddy. Insulting longtime members on this forum isn't going to gain you any new friends :)
Charlie101
If freedom of speech is so offensive to you... rather than attacking someone for having a different opinion, move to North Korea where no one is allowed to have an opinion that opposes the government. That will be much more to your liking.
Charlie101: 11 posts, 11 insults. Surely, you have more to offer this community, don't you?

Dan, thank you for the support. I sure hope we get the chance to meet someday. That would be a real treat for me.
"First we kill all the Jews, then we come and kill you!" - Omar, student at Western Mich. Univ. when asked why he was going back to the Mideast during mid-session - 1972

"He has gone back home to kill Jews." - Answer from Nabil when asked where his brother was who hadn't been to our kickboxing club for a couple of weeks - 1983

"Saddam is on the march! Mike has gone back home to help drive Israel into the sea!" - Abdu at the video store when asked where his brother was who usually works the counter - 1990

"Mr. Hitler, you are doing some very good things here. But you must become more efficient and forceful in your dealings with the Jews." - High ranking Palestinian imam while visiting Germany during WWII.

Anyone see a pattern here? And you think us Americans have bad attitudes!!
Tom,
Will you clarify the point you are making? I believe I get what you're saying, but don't want to assume that I do.
Thanks,
Howard
and to think it was Martin Luther King Jr's Day. Remember that "they went after King after he spoke out on Vietnam!"