Just watched REO Speedwagon on Rave and they played

[bighart]

the song Golden Country. Kevin Cronin said they wrote that song after watching the last helicopter fly out of Saigon and thinking that war was done. I couldn't help but think about how much those lyrics still apply to our country today. For those of you who might not be familiar with the song, here are the lyrics.

Golden country your face is so red
With all of your money your poor can be fed
You strut around and you flirt with disaster
Never really carin just what comes after
Well your blacks are dyin but your back is still turned
And your freaks are cryin but your back is still turned
You better stop your hidin or your country will burn
The time has come for you my friend
To all this ugliness we must put an end
Before we leave we must make a stand

Mortgage people you crawl to your homes
Your security lies in your bed of white foam
You act concerned but then why turn away
When a lady was raped on your doorstep today
Well your blacks are cryin but your back is still turned
And your freaks are dyin but your back is still turned
You better stop your hidin or your country will burn
The time has come for you my friend
To all this ugliness we must put an end
Before we leave we must make a stand, oh yeah......


Golden country your face is so red
With all of your money your poor can be fed
You strut around and you flirt with disaster
Never really carin just what comes after
Well your blacks are dyin but your back is still turned
And your freaks are cryin but your back is still turned
You better stop your hidin or your country will burn
The time has come for you my friend
To all this ugliness we must put an end
Before we leave we must make a stand

[Fovea]

1. I remember them from early on.

They rock like a thing that rocks a lot.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. They're still alive?

[KharmaTrain]

3. Yep...4th Of July Carnival Staples Now

Whenever Kevin Cronin feels like going out and playing "REO" lives again...usually at summer festivals.

[bighart]

4. BUT HOW DO YOU FEEL KNOWING NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED

since the time a song like that was written during the Vietnam era. It made me very sad.

[KharmaTrain]

5. I Can Give You A Large List Of Songs Like That

The other night my son (whose almost 21) and I watched John Fogerty doing "Fortunate Son" and I explained to him the history of the tune...and how ironic it was to hear today. I have a large library of tunes here and constantly hear a tune of 30 or more years ago that is as relevant today as ever. A couple that quickly come to mind include:

Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town
The Cruel War
Sam Stone
The Box

I could keep going.

Too bad there aren't many places to hear this music...long gone are the days of good FM radio.

Cheers...

[Seeking Serenity]

6. Kevin Cronin's statement isn't possible.

the song Golden Country. Kevin Cronin said they wrote that song after watching the last helicopter fly out of Saigon and thinking that war was done.

The last helicopter didn't fly out of Saigon until 1975. "Golden Country" was written in 1972 (it was on their 1972 album R.E.O./T.W.O.

That said, I always loved REO Speedwagon, but not since they booted Gary Richrath out. I loved his guitar playing.

[bighart]

7. I agree with you on Gary Ritchrath. I loved his playing as well.

I didn't check the timing of when Golden Country was originally released, I guess he
"misremembered" the events that inspired it's writing.