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A Song For Our Times — And All Times
Great songs from the past have a way of being relevant today whether the subject is love or revolution. But The Who’s “We Won’t Get Fooled Again,” written by Pete Townshend in 1971, reverberates especially loudly for me (and it should be played loud!) on the cusp of the Democratic return to power in Washington.
Please click here for the lyrics and judge for yourself. No matter your verdict, this is what Townshend has to say about this rock masterpiece, which is oft-cited as a song with a political message that is misunderstood.
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5 Responses to “A Song For Our Times — And All Times”
Well, Shaun, I have to say that although I see why you find the lyrics appropos, I think you’re missing a major point that Townsend made in that article (particularly the last paragraph.) Read how he feels that Daltry’s railing interpretation changed the meaning that he intended, for example. You can look at the song the way most people do (and as you’re doing) as an expression of anger at those who would co-opt the masses for their own agendas- or you can take Townsend at his word that his original intent was more of a plea to individuals not to continue selling their souls. The meaning changes quite a bit when you put the emphasis on the individual rather than those who champion a cause that goes against our individual freedoms. In other words, it’s up to us to decide not to be fooled again.
CStanley:
My point, which I may have made rather obtusely, is that you can cobble whatever meaning you want onto the lyrics. I posted the photo of Pelosi & Company with the lyrics at my blog because I chose to cobble in that way while being cognizant of where Townsend is coming from.
In any event, you’re quite right that it is up to us to not be fooled again, and we’ll see how good a job I and other TMV worthies do in that regard in the coming weeks.
Well, actually after I wrote that comment I realized that your juxtaposition of the photo of the “New boss” could be fitting with Townsend’s meaning too: as a reminder that the new boss really is essentially the same as the old boss and it’s our responsibility to remember that. (Of course in actuality we should always remember that WE are the bosses!)
One of the best rock songs ever written, and a from an equally great album. I got the extended remastered version for my GF this X-mas, with 7 additional tracks that was intended for an opera (Lifehouse) that didn’t happen untill much later on BBC radio. If anyone loves this album as much as I do I suggest getting the new reissue, because the 7 added tracks are as awsome as the original 9 and only make Who’s Next new and even better than the legendary album it already is.
Cstanley
I guess the way you take it depends more on you.
Pete said in his diary:
The song was meant to let politicians and revolutionaries alike know that what lay in the centre of my life was not for sale, and could not be co-opted into any obvious cause.