I grew up in New York in the '80s, so I have always been a Billy Joel fan. Songs like "We Didn't Start the Fire" and "The Downeastern Alexa" stuck in my head, and forced me to think a little bit deeper about issues that mattered.
Joel has released a new song that is sure to add to his legacy as one of America's most important songwriters.
"Christmas in Fallujah" is based on letters he received from troops serving in the combat zone. The song is powerful and important. And while I don't necessarily agree with every line of it, I like it a lot. It reminds me of the Christmas I spent in Baghdad in 2003. And I think the song will go a long way toward connecting Americans to the war raging halfway around the globe this holiday season. It is also sure to ruffle some peoples' feathers -- and probably piss off Bill O'Reilly.
Joel gave the song to a virtually unknown 21-year-old singer named Cass Dillon -- a guy he chose because he wanted a singer the age of many of the troops in Iraq. And he made a damn good pick.
Check out "Christmas in Fallujah" here (with lyrics):
Joel and Dillon have pledged the proceeds of the song to Homes for Our Troops (an outstanding charity).
Well done, gentlemen.
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I think maybe because it is a cool-sounding word...Fa LOOO Ja. Whatever.
The troops aren't the draftees of the Vietnam days. They're volunteers, every one. While you might disagree with their choices at least give them the respect they deserve for making their own choices and sticking with them. Christmas or not.
If the song is supposed to be a protest song, then it should have protested! If it's a pro-war song, then it should have made its point (but it would sell fewer copies). If it just supports the troops - well, duh. EVERYBODY supports the troops. It's way too politically incorrect to point out that anyone who signs up for the armed forces nowadays knows perfectly well that s/he is going to go to Iraq, and will be joining in on making the war go on and on and on.
I'm an old hippie, and I remember the phrase "propagandized warmonger." I wouldn't apply that term to the troops now, because they're just following orders (remember My Lai?), and earning their paychecks, and they joined the military to get those great benefits after they get out, and they just want to support their families, and they really want to spread democracy rather than actually killing people, and... and...
BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW!!!
Amazingly done, IMHO. And very smart for joel to have a young man do it, and do it so it speaks to other young people. They are our hope.
It seems most of the "older" generation is too soft, too lazy, too brain-washed, too self-absorbed, too jaded, and too much of a failure on both sides to really change anything.
I wish there were a million of you out there.
However, the song conveyes a VERY important message that should NOT be forgotten by ANY citizen, whether or not they support the 'reasons' why OUR soldiers were sent someplace.
Please keep OUR soldiers in your thoughts and deeds during this Holiday season, when so many are separated from ALL they know and love. Even if it's just thinking about them long enough to buy a song that will help support them upon their return, EVERY single action helps and is appreciated by someone.
JUST DON'T EVER pretend they don't exist, if you can do ANYTHING,...at all, please do. They ARE us...
It was kinda like a mood ring or an ink blot. You could read whatever you want politically into it. One or two strong sentences would have brought it home on either side.
An artistic or political decision? I don't know.
go through em and try and find the lyrics
online. Some tearful, some joyous, some boring,
I always liked 'movin out', but this one...
I don't know...doesn't really do it for me.
Further, I think he should sing his own material
and stuff. Also, didya know Billy's a heebie?
Not that there's anything wrong with that, but
just to know where the ol' propaganda's coming
from etc...keep crankin' the calliope, there.
You're kind of a pan-handler yourself, there,
if you don't mind me saying so. You probably
DO mind, but well, I'll just have to live with
myself...whatever happened to 'the army takes
care of its' own', and all that? Did they
trade that in for 'fuck you, troop, go beg
for money from Congresser'? I still recommend
a full-bore external audit of all branches
of the service, and the Pentascam itself, that is, IF you are really and truly serious
about taking care of veterans, something
happens to all this defense-loot, make it your
solemn and noble personal task and mission
to ascertain its' final destination. If a
goodly chunk of it ends up, as I suspect,
in Uncle Dick's expense account, then you
should take issue with any and all such
circumstances.
P.S. When I was active duty, I gave to
the Old Soldiers Home, do they still have that?
The music was okay, definitely reminiscent of his later work. Dillon wasn't quite what I expected. I was thinking he was picked to sound like a younger Joel. Oh well.
The lyrics more than make up for its shortcomings.
This is a powerful song ... we need more of them.
Clear Channel can't ban everyone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca41rMyH56k
Too bad it didn't get any attention.