By Tim Duffy
This year’s presidential election has been framed, so far, as a fight over wealth. Thanks to the high unemployment rate and the proactive folks behind #occupywallstreet we have over the past few years realized that there is a growing income inequality problem in this country. In Europe this was generally discussed in terms of “class,” and it has been the driving push and pull in their politics for about as long as they were able to participate in said politics.
Pulp were talking the British class struggle in the 90′s better than anyone ever could have. Certainly better than the over simplified political sloganeering of America’s political rock bands most notably displayed in Rage Against the Machine. What’s more Pulp managed to discuss issues of class, income and social mobility with a catchy melody and a panache of style. No where is that more on display than on the anthemic “Mis-shapes.”
Through force of will and charisma Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker makes class war fair sound inevitable without really glossing over the complexity of the feelings that would drive such a shift.
“Oh we weren’t supposed to be, we learnt too much at school now
we can’t help but see.
That the future that you’ve got mapped out is nothing much to shout about.”
If the problems faced by the folks on the lower half of the current American class struggle have been more succinctly articulated anywhere I haven’t heard it.
Possibly Related Posts:
- Today’s “Best Song Ever”: Donna Summer “I Feel Love”
- Today’s “Best Song Ever”: Lou Reed “New York Telephone Conversation”
- Today’s “Best Song Ever”: Brian Eno “Here He Comes”
- Today’s “Best Song Ever”: Gang of Four “Anthrax”
- Today’s “Best Song Ever”: Nirvana “I Hate Myself And I Want To Die”
