Merle Haggard Channels Senility, Paranoia Into New Topical Song
Long known for his acerbic political and social commentary in songs such as “Okie from Muskogee” and “Are the Good Times Really Over,” country great Merle Haggard has released a brand new topical song addressing the healthcare crisis in the United States. The track, titled “Song for the Sick,” began making headlines as soon as it appeared on Haggard’s website last Sunday.
An entirely new composition, the song nevertheless contains echoes of classic Haggard, especially in the jaunty, swinging chorus delivered to subtle snare accompaniment:
Dollar bills are still in style for legal tender
But politicians talk while soldiers pay the fees
We need a real big switch of gender
Remember when Nixon lied to us on TV?
Anyway, about the health care, we all need it
Especially squirrely men who will not fight
The cost we will pay if we don’t heed it
Will be inevitable damnation and hellfire
[Bob Wills-style 'Ah-haaaaaaa']
Media response to the song has been divided along political lines, with FOX News calling it “an impeccably argued, masterfully written anti-Obamacare satire by a longtime conservative hero” even as the New York Times hailed it as “the latest in a long line of socially-conscious post-millennial Haggard songs” and “the final proof of [Haggard's] lefty conversion.”
Outside of the news business, some believe the politically-motivated readings miss the mark. “I know it’s supposed to be something about healthcare, but beyond that, I have no idea what the hell Merle is trying to say, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t either,” said Nashville housewife Luann Jefferson. “He probably just figured he should slap something topical together so FOX and the New York Times would talk about him again.”
She added: “That part about extraterrestrials taking our nursing jobs was a little too ‘out there’ for me.”
The Ole’ Hag is really loosing it as I don’t think the Senate Obamacare bill covers sex change operations, so the “real big switch in gender” could be problematic for those Obamavoters so inclined. Also the delusion state Merle is in has him confusing Phillipino illegal immigrants with extra-terrestials in terms of taking over nursing assistant jobs! Hag must have confused Tagalog with sounds picked up on the SETI radio telescopes from deep space. On the other hand it looks like Hillary Rotten Clinton is gearing up to run against Odumbo in 2012, so Hag can dust off that song he wrote praising her to make himself poltically relevant yet again. Go Hag!
Ha ha! I see what you did there, changing their names to sound like similar derogatory words! Why aren’t you paid for these nuggets of comedic genius?
Not up to your usual standards
I’m flattered that you think I have usual standards.
Actually, I think this is one of your better efforts. The subtle hints to Haggard’s questionable partisanship are great. You also succeeded in jabbing both sides. I always like that.