I’m not a fan of modern country music, but I thought, given the subject matter addressed in this new song by John Rich, that I should share the video. The song is called, “Shuttin’ Detroit Down.”
The refrain, for those of you unable to listen, is:
In the real world, they’re shuttin’ Detroit down /
While the boss man takes his bonus and jets on out of town
Given the mood of the country, I guess it was just a matter of time before someone came along to articulate what we’re feeling and set it to music… and, most likely, get rich in the process.
7 Comments
and I use to like Big and Rich…. will he give some of the money he makes on the song… back to Detroit…. maybe in the form of a FREE concert?!
I guess I don’t get the comment you made Mark at the end. Are you implying that somebody shouldn’t make money off of what is happenening in music? This is when music is at its truest I believe. Music is best to me when it stirs an emotion, not just entertains. Lets not forget all of the great songs and artists in the late 60’s and 70’s. The reason that time period was so strong musically was because of the social awareness that John Rich is attempting to acknowledge.
Of course he is going to make money off of it. He’s a singer songwriter. Thats how he makes a living. How is this a bad thing?
I think the suggestion was that maybe he didn’t really give a shit at all about the good people of Detroit, but saw an opportunity to cash in. I don’t know the guy, so I won’t speculate. Maybe he’s the Bruce Springsteen of the country and western world and really takes things to heart and cares about who and what he writes about.
I enjoyed his campaign theme song “Raisin’ McCain” much more…
I’d never heard of John Rich before this, and, like I said, I don’t generally like new country music. So I guess he had a few strikes against him before I listened to the song, which I ended up not caring for. So, yeah, with all that going against him, maybe I presumed that his support of “the working man” in Detroit was more about selling records than really giving a fuck about the folks losing their jobs. But I didn’t say that in the post. Maybe I hinted at it, but I didn’t come right out and say it. And I didn’t say it because I recognize there’s a good chance it’s not true. It’s very likely the guy plays union fundraisers all the time. And, as someone pointed out, there’s no law that says he as to mean it. So, yeah, make of this post what you will.
Yah know, it’s not brilliant, but it’s pretty well crafted. It’s a nice send off. I’ll take it from Jersey. But, then I’m a damn sucker for sentimental dirges.
(SPOILER ALERT FOR ANYONE RE-WATCHING NORTHERN EXPOSURE EPISODES FROM THE LIBRARY.)
For anyone that ‘s interested, John Rich IS trying to arrange for a free concert in Detroit as a “thank you” to the hard working men and women of that city & the country. I’ve seen & heard several of his interviews and think he really believes that working class blue collar people are getting the stiff. I gather he’s a very passionate person and feels strongly about this. Whether he’s rich financially or not, it’s still part of his money that is helping to pay big corporation bailouts. He just may have more left after that then most others.