Can't John Rich Do Better Than "Raising McCain?"

Call me naive but I seriously thought Big & Rich was a progressive country act. I'm still certain the "Big" dude hasn't lost his mind (in fact, FundRace 2008 shows "Big" Kenny maxing out at $2300 to Obama) but John Rich is off the deep end. Fine, he's a Republican. I don't begrudge him that. The Republicans need all the entertainment help they can get. When Charlie Daniels was one of your convention headliners, you know you need some serious help. John Rich at least gave the GOP a fighting chance against Dem top liners like will.i.am, Sheryl Crow, Kanye West, Dave Matthews and on and on....

My beef is with the song. It's a really bad song. If you're going to write an anthem for an old man who's up at political bat for the last time, give him a decent song. Send him off with something that creates some chills or something. Rich's "Raising McCain" is no "Yes We Can." Here's the hook:

"Well we're all just raisin' McCain
Everywhere across the USA
You can get on the train or get out of the way
We're all just raisin' McCain

Put aside the old jokes about raisins and raising the dead. The bigger issue is that the song offers no new ideas, no inspiration, no new ground. It's more of an ad than an anthem: a bunch of recycled redneck clichés and jingoistic platitudes all signifying nothing.

Actually, I guess that makes it the perfect song for John McCain's platform.

Follow Shawn Amos on Twitter: www.twitter.com/GetBack

Comments

[hip dibler]

i haven't heard the song but is is about mccain? does it mention the time he crashed 5 planes, got his ass captured and how he sang like a bird to his captors?


i'm just askin.

[trishl127]

What do you expect from someone who thought Johnny Cash was a republican. nuff said

[jmpurser]

Big & Rich is at least as much marketing as art. Guess which one provides the marketing?

[GlennOchs]

Actually I hope they continue with the song and the hand made signs that said "Raisin" McCain

http://www.calraisins.org/images/valerie.jpg

[zedthewizard]

haven't you ever listend to country music before

[vincefango]

I agreed Zed...

As country music has been for the past 18 years or so, this sort of drivel is the bread and butter of the big hats and tank tops crowd. Just throw out some ass-kickin' hooky line that references the bible and/or cowboy justice, toss in an overly embellished Southern accent and serve in a black & white point of view...and viola!!! You've got a hit country tune on your hands. The days of poets are long gone.... As a side note, I scratch my head as to why "Alternative Country" sounds more like what country music was or should be.