P, L & U

My comment on the Nick Lowe song, performed by Elvis Costello, Peace, Love and Understanding this morning created some instant backlash. There is debate. I keep forgetting it's an election year and there are some pissed-off people out there. Ooopps, sorry. There are opinions and there are facts. All of those get a little blurred sometimes. Sometimes a lot of times. During the tune's rousing chorus build, the 'Sweet Harmony', part, I blurted, as commentary, that what I thought Nick and El (Nick was El's producer at the time of the recording in 1977) are saying is that peace, love and understanding, being the polar extremes of the capitalist model, (as there is more profit from war, hatred, violence, dealing in arms, security, oil, laws and regulations trying to police a free market gone totally corrupt, and a dumb and numb America) are labeled as somehow silly. Or subversive, or OMG SOCIALISTIC!!!!!

That is my commentary on the song. That is my feeling as to what Nick & Elvis are saying. That is the beauty of music, we get to add our personal ideals, fears, biases, emotions, experiences and spin all that off into something, perhaps, of value. Like commentary. We can have an exchange. We can be civilized. It doesn't have to be war and it doesn't have to be either 'with us or against us'. The systems we currently employ, political, social and economic, are not perfect. They are flawed. Are they better than others? Sure. Do they need work? Absolutely. Can I question them without fear of imprisonment, ridicule or scorn? Apparently not. Should we not evolve and grow and learn from our costly, deadly and disastrous mistakes? Not too many disasters have come from too much peace, love or compassion. But good leaders are rare with lemmings everywhere. A song that pushes you towards greater awareness is a true work of art. Beautiful, in truth and lasting. Last line: I don't have any problems with the capitalist model once greed, corruption and exploitation are removed. Perhaps I should have said that. Or taken the Colbert approach. Maybe.

Those are my views. I mean no harm. It is social commentary. I sincerely apologize if in the name of freedom I have offended anyone who champions a different take. The ideals to which I can stand behind 100% and fight to the death are few. So we ask again:

What's so funny about Peace, Love and Understanding?

As I walk through

This wicked world

Searching for light in the darkness of insanity.

I ask myself

Is all hope lost?

Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?

And each time I feel like this inside,

Just makes me want to say:

What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh

What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?

As I walked on

Through troubled times

My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes

So where are the strong

And who are the trusted?

And where is the harmony?

Sweet harmony.

And each time I feel like this inside,

Just makes me want to say:

What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh

What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?

What`s so funny about peace, love and understanding?