Why does RW radio love Rage Against the Machine?

[uberllama42]

I was listening to Glen Beck earlier (yes, I have a hole in my head) and in the intro to a segment they used "Bombtrack" from the album Rage Against the Machine. There is a local RW host on the same station I was listening to, who comes on in the afternoon. He uses Rage's song "Killing in the Name" during his lead-ins. I have also heard Michael Savage use a number of their songs, including "Wake Up" and "Bulls on Parade."

I love Tom Morrello, and I understand the impulse to use his guitar riffs. They are incomparably badass. But these are the same people who whine day in and day out about the far-left Hollywood media elite. These radio blowhards hate any hint of left-wing politics in pop culture. Why is there an exception for RATM?

[el_bryanto]

1. I think there's an exception for Rock in General

Yeah there is plenty of non-partisan rock, but plenty of bands have done a political song or two and those songs are generally on the liberal side of the fence. If they limited themselves to conservative rockers, well, Ted Nugent?

Every few years someone calls up to complain that Rush uses a Pretenders song as his intro music; he never sounds very convincing defending himself.

Bryant

[incapsulated]

12. But, uh, Rage Against the Machine is about as Left as you get.....

I mean.... this is like playing John Lennon on a right wing station in the 70's.

Because they are mind numbingly stupid, they don't pay close attention to the lyrics and think they are just "raging" against *whoever* is in power.

Um, no.

[YOY]

2. Because just like Nirvana before RATM...the shitheads started listening to it without "listening".

If they listened to the lyrics they'd shit themselves.

Hell, I'm not a HUGE fan but I like them.

[madrchsod]

3. i hope they paid rage against the machine for using their music

(everyday limpballs is paying crissy hynde`s favorite charity)

or maybe the rage will file a cease and desist order on these guys...

the tunes are perfect radio bumpers...they can select just enough of the lyrics to use in their message.

[Lint Head]

4. Because the right wing is too dumb to get irony.

:dem:

[juno jones]

5. Everyone listens to Pink Floyd

But it seems like probably only about a dozen people at any time have ever REALLY listened to the lyrics.

RATM probably has the same problem.

[Alcibiades]

29. Pink Floyd probably has the most analyzed lyrics of all time

Many of the folks listening to their music do so in a contemplative frame of mind.

[RaleighNCDUer]

6. They don't care about the music - they just love the idea of 'rage'. nt

[Towlie]

7. From Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rage_against_the_machine

The (2007) reunion was described by Morello as primarily being a vehicle to voice the band's opposition to the "right-wing purgatory" the United States has "slid into" under the George W. Bush administration since RATM's dissolution.

I can only take your word that right-wing radio hosts use their music, but if so, it definitely makes no sense. Maybe you should call and ask them why.

[RadiationTherapy]

8. i think they do listen to the lyrics and think it pertains to their experience.

They perceive themselves as persecuted from all sides and see a need for people to 'wake up' and 'rage' against the socialist 'machine'.

[uberllama42]

30. No doubt these RW'ers have a powerful victim complex

But I have trouble believing that anyone, even a Glen Beck, could have such poor comprehension as to find any kind of right-wing politics in Rage's lyrics. There is a definite anti-government theme in the lyrics, but that wouldn't be enough for me.

I dunno. Maybe I'm giving these assholes too much credit.

[Selatius]

40. I always viewed RATM as left wing libertarianism, or simply left libertarian.

They rail against the use of state power, especially when used to protect corporate power or the interests of wealthy people. The closest historical tendency nowadays would probably be anarcho-syndicalism or any number of people espousing decentralized socialism or non-state socialism.

[paparush]

9. In the same way that some RW nutjobs dont' get that Colbert is satire.

[Turbineguy]

10. They need to think

we are a machine. It's the Left Wing Conspiracy. The Plot.

It's important to make your enemy look competent and well organized. The fact is, we're not all that good and they are utter fools.

[Wraith20878]

41. It really doesn't suprise me

They are the same people that think the song "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen isn't a protest song. They here the chorus and tune out the verses.

[NewJeffCT]

11. For years, Rush used "Brass in Pocket" from the Pretenders

My local news radio would run a "Rush minute" update in the mornings, and as soon as I heard that distinctive sound, I would change the station or leave the room.

At least I think that's the song.

[mtnester]

15. My City was gone

that is the song title he used from the Pretenders

[NewJeffCT]

16. thanks for the correction

I knew it was The Pretenders... I can't imagine Chrissie Hynde would approve of Rush's use.

[uberllama42]

31. He uses that song to this day, five days a week

It's his theme song. I wonder if, in his mind, it refers to St. Ronnie's "City on a Hill"?

[BlooInBloo]

13. Because they're idiots.

[MineralMan]

14. Same reason the oh-so-macho NFL uses Queen

songs as their theme. Dumb, dumber, dumbest.

[Bennyboy]

17. Just because this is so cooool! (TM and Bruce Springsteen)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp-oDAxx8So

[Enrique]

18. they like war songs

I've noticed they also use soundtracks to war themed movies like Braveheart and Lord of the Rings.

[Echo In Light]

19. Pop culture PSYOP: lure the young & impressionable in w/"cool" images of rebellion....

....coupled, of course, w/a steady dose of empire-friendly, pro-right-wing corporate/militant rhetoric and propaganda, the true meaning of which is easily lost/obscured within the "cool" noise of canned "rebellion."

[Initech]

20. Republican centered music like Nickelback or Big & Rich generally sucks ass.

[uberllama42]

32. I wasn't aware that there was any politics in Nickelback

Although I was sure as hell aware that they suck. I'm not familiar with Big & Rich.

[Initech]

45. Big & Rich did a lot of campaigning for McCain.

I'm pretty sure Nickelback votes Repiblican too but I might have to check my source on that.

[fascisthunter]

21. co-opting to attract angry youth

Rage Against the Machine is extremely opposed to views shared by the right wing. In fact they write about the very right wing that uses their music.

[fascisthunter]

23. oh... and music by the right wing sucks

[YOY]

26. You mean "Wango Tango" by Ted Nugent isn't the pinacle of Rock????

n/t

[Orsino]

25. White rap sufficiently diluted by rock.

Yes, the message is all wrong for right-wing radio, but the music sounds so vital that it can even make right-wing radio sound cool.

In the era of Obama, of course, the wingnuts have pretended to rediscover the virtues of not doing as they're told.

[cbdo2007]

22. Because years ago RATM played in the protest area in when Dem Convention was in LA

That's when some right wingers I know started listening to them cause they liked that they were protesting the dems.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

36. "Protesting the dems" specifically or protesting the two-party system?

I'm not familiar with what you've stated in your post, so I Googled:

2000 Democratic National Convention

RATM played a free concert at the 2000 Democratic National Convention in protest of the two-party system. The band had been considering playing a protest concert there since April of that year.<61> Although they were at first required by the City of Los Angeles to perform in a small venue at a considerable distance, early in August a United States district court judge ruled that the City's request was too restrictive and the City subsequently allowed the protests and concert to be held at a site across from the DNC.<61> The police response was to increase security measures, which included a 12 ft fence and patrolling by a minimum of 2,000 officers wearing riot gear, as well as additional horses, motorcycles, squad cars and police helicopters.<62> A police spokesperson said they were "gravely concerned because of security reasons".<62>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rage_Against_the_Machine

[smoochpooch]

43. Remember the "Sleep Now in the Fire Video" directed by Michael Moore?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu67yo-3jfw

Note the shout out to the uninsured (way back in 2000!)

[SidneyCarton]

24. The same reason RW kids at my high school loved them

They hear the harsh, militant sound, and feel empowered, they never bother to listen to the lyrics. I used to laugh my arse off at these guys, because I knew if Zach ever got his revolution, these suburban white kids would be lined up against a wall, along with me (who wouldn't be revolutionary enough) and we'd all end up dead.

[walldude]

27. Same reason Reagan used Born In The USA as his theme song

completely and utterly clueless. Devoid of any actual individual thought. So wrapped up in their little bubble that they can't see even when they are being mocked.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

28. Patton Oswalt has a funny bit about this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFI9siGOT7s&feature=related

At the 6:55 mark.

[travelingtypist]

33. Funny Hannity story

When Johnny Cash died, Hannity was going on and on about what a great guy Cash was and how wonderful his music was, going on and on about a particular song, Hurt, which Hannity didn't know was actually written by this guy -- Trent Reznor, Nine Inch Nails.



I guess somebody whispered in Sean's ear because the song and the talk went away.

:rofl:

[uberllama42]

34. I'm not a fan of that song

But I remember that Johnny Cash made waves when he covered it. And I always like stories about how stupid Hannity is. Thanks for sharing.

[travelingtypist]

35. It seemed to fit with the theme of the thread.

These RWers use the music, but they have no idea what it means. Glad you approve.

:evilgrin:

[uberllama42]

42. Sad Kermit also covers the song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgZ2GJOeQKA

Some friends showed me this a few months ago. I just remembered about it.

[travelingtypist]

44. rotflmao

You really do hate that song, don't you?

If people watch Kermie's troubles, they should at least get to watch Johnny
blow it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o22eIJDtKho

[anonymous171]

37. Well, they both hate the government.

[Joe the Liberal]

38. Well who else would they use?...

Hank Williams Jr? Ted Nugent? It's within right wingers nature to steal from the left as we bear ten times more creativity.

[electricD]

39. kind of funny

It's kind of funny how they try to implement rage into their shows, especially with RATM. ESPECIALLY, seeing as how RATM played at the inauguration of Obama and marched with several people expressing their rage at repugs and conservatives.