In an irony all the more hard because of the need for denial, the Rolling Stones…
…in a move that would have been unthinkable four decades ago, when they were the “bad boys” of rock and roll, now issue a statement:
By Michael Rowland in Washington
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger denies one of the band’s new songs, Sweet Neo-con, is an attack on US President George W Bush.
The ageing rock group is about to start an extensive US tour.
The song takes aim at the staunch conservatives in the Bush administration who were the driving force behind the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.
But while the expletive-laden lyrics are extremely critical of the so-called ‘neo-cons’, Jagger insists they are not aimed directly at the President.
“It certainly criticises policies he espouses I’m sure,” Jagger said.
Guitarist Keith Richards has expressed fears about a possible backlash in the US just as the band’s latest tour is about to begin.
Perhaps my sense of irony is too keen, but does this reek of “strive for both controversy and profits” to you, especially from this band?
