Please recommend anti-American songs.
June 27, 2008 2:03 PM Subscribe
Trying to put together a playlist of anti-American songs, or songs about leaving America. For instance, Green Day's "American Idiot" qualifies. This is for a going-away party, and very much tongue-in-cheek. Songs that hate on specific regions (particularly New York, New Jersey, DC and LA) are also good. Thank you!
James McMurtry: "We can't make it here anymore"
Iris DeMent: "Wasteland of the free"
posted by jbickers at 2:11 PM on June 27, 2008
Iris DeMent: "Wasteland of the free"
posted by jbickers at 2:11 PM on June 27, 2008
LCD Soundsystem's "North American Scum." Well, it isnt very anti-american but its a good party song. "New York I Love You But Youre Bringing Me Down" is a great pro/anti- New York song but not a great party song.
posted by minicloud at 2:14 PM on June 27, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by minicloud at 2:14 PM on June 27, 2008 [1 favorite]
Aenema by Tool is an anti-LA screen but most people hate Tool so use it at your own risk.
posted by Electrius at 2:14 PM on June 27, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Electrius at 2:14 PM on June 27, 2008 [1 favorite]
Death Cab for Cutie- Why You'd Want to Live Here, for LA hating.
posted by lizzicide at 2:15 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by lizzicide at 2:15 PM on June 27, 2008
Two songs that are against a specific police department:
The Strokes - New York City Cops
The Offspring - LAPD
(Those just sprung to mind -- I'm really not anti-police!)
posted by Jaltcoh at 2:17 PM on June 27, 2008
The Strokes - New York City Cops
The Offspring - LAPD
(Those just sprung to mind -- I'm really not anti-police!)
posted by Jaltcoh at 2:17 PM on June 27, 2008
The Clash - I'm So Bored With The U.S.A
posted by rhizome at 2:19 PM on June 27, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by rhizome at 2:19 PM on June 27, 2008 [1 favorite]
New World, by X.
"It was better before before they voted for what's his name.
This is supposed to be the new world."
posted by gingerbeer at 2:22 PM on June 27, 2008
"It was better before before they voted for what's his name.
This is supposed to be the new world."
posted by gingerbeer at 2:22 PM on June 27, 2008
"Murder the Government", by NoFX?
posted by ten pounds of inedita at 2:26 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by ten pounds of inedita at 2:26 PM on June 27, 2008
Rhizome took my first suggestion.
How about some Sleater-Kinney songs
From One Beat
"One Beat"
"Combat Rock"
And some mildly anti-West Coast stuff from The Woods
"Wilderness"
"Jumpers"
posted by Weebot at 2:28 PM on June 27, 2008
How about some Sleater-Kinney songs
From One Beat
"One Beat"
"Combat Rock"
And some mildly anti-West Coast stuff from The Woods
"Wilderness"
"Jumpers"
posted by Weebot at 2:28 PM on June 27, 2008
Bad Religion - American Jesus
Steppenwolf - Monster/Suicide/America
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 2:29 PM on June 27, 2008
Steppenwolf - Monster/Suicide/America
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 2:29 PM on June 27, 2008
"Los Angeles I'm Yours" by the Decemberists is my favorite, if you want more anti-L.A. stuff.
posted by chowflap at 2:29 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by chowflap at 2:29 PM on June 27, 2008
Another thought: "California Girls" by the Magnetic Fields
posted by Weebot at 2:31 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by Weebot at 2:31 PM on June 27, 2008
Oh, I skipped the specifics:
Bad Religion - Los Angeles is Burning
Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run (anti-NJ though not explicitly)
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 2:33 PM on June 27, 2008
Bad Religion - Los Angeles is Burning
Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run (anti-NJ though not explicitly)
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 2:33 PM on June 27, 2008
"The War of 1812" (Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie)
"Asshole" (Dennis Leary)
posted by Dipsomaniac at 2:33 PM on June 27, 2008
"Asshole" (Dennis Leary)
posted by Dipsomaniac at 2:33 PM on June 27, 2008
Also maybe David Byrne's "Miss America"
And I kissed America, when she was fleecing me
She knows I understand that she needs to be free
And I miss America and sometimes she does too
And sometimes I think of her
When she is fucking you
posted by ManInSuit at 2:34 PM on June 27, 2008
And I kissed America, when she was fleecing me
She knows I understand that she needs to be free
And I miss America and sometimes she does too
And sometimes I think of her
When she is fucking you
posted by ManInSuit at 2:34 PM on June 27, 2008
Public Enemy, "Burn Hollywood Burn"
Billy Joel, "Say Goodbye to Hollywood"
Goldfinger, "The City With Two Faces" (AKA "Fuck L.A.")
posted by Skot at 2:34 PM on June 27, 2008
Billy Joel, "Say Goodbye to Hollywood"
Goldfinger, "The City With Two Faces" (AKA "Fuck L.A.")
posted by Skot at 2:34 PM on June 27, 2008
Dick is a Killer. Hilarious, with a great beat you can dance to.
posted by adamrice at 2:34 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by adamrice at 2:34 PM on June 27, 2008
Washington Bullets by The Clash
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 2:43 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 2:43 PM on June 27, 2008
Billy Bragg's Marching Song of the Covert Battalions.
posted by Mayor Curley at 2:44 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by Mayor Curley at 2:44 PM on June 27, 2008
Martin Sexton - The Beast in Me
paints a rotten picture of LA - with subsequent leaving involved
posted by quadog at 2:45 PM on June 27, 2008
paints a rotten picture of LA - with subsequent leaving involved
posted by quadog at 2:45 PM on June 27, 2008
Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore-John Prine
posted by TedW at 2:50 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by TedW at 2:50 PM on June 27, 2008
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Loyal to My Sorrowful Country
posted by aetg at 2:50 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by aetg at 2:50 PM on June 27, 2008
Anything from Firewater. I just discovered them... ex pat awesomeness.
posted by sadiehawkinstein at 2:51 PM on June 27, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by sadiehawkinstein at 2:51 PM on June 27, 2008 [1 favorite]
Faith No More - "We Care A Lot"
excerpt:
We care a lot about the army navy air force and marines
We care a lot about the SF, NY and LAPD
We care a lot about you people, about your guns
about the wars you're fighting gee that looks like fun
posted by aquanaut at 2:55 PM on June 27, 2008
excerpt:
We care a lot about the army navy air force and marines
We care a lot about the SF, NY and LAPD
We care a lot about you people, about your guns
about the wars you're fighting gee that looks like fun
posted by aquanaut at 2:55 PM on June 27, 2008
Counting Crows- Holiday in Spain talks about picking up and getting out of America.
Bad Religion- The Empire Strikes First (the actual song, not the entire album) never explicitly states it's anti-American, but it certainly is.
Bad Religon- Streets of America
The Offspring- Americana (again the actual song not the album)
They Might Be Giants- I'm Sick (of this American Life) might work, but it's a pretty weird song.
I'm not honestly sure if the Dropkick Murphys- The New American Way is anti-American or not.
And, you know, half of America from West Side Story is anti-American.
posted by Caduceus at 2:58 PM on June 27, 2008
Bad Religion- The Empire Strikes First (the actual song, not the entire album) never explicitly states it's anti-American, but it certainly is.
Bad Religon- Streets of America
The Offspring- Americana (again the actual song not the album)
They Might Be Giants- I'm Sick (of this American Life) might work, but it's a pretty weird song.
I'm not honestly sure if the Dropkick Murphys- The New American Way is anti-American or not.
And, you know, half of America from West Side Story is anti-American.
posted by Caduceus at 2:58 PM on June 27, 2008
"Pennsylvania" by Bloodhound Gang
"Miss America" by David Byrne
"Texas" by Boss Hog
"American Life"
"Electric Uncle Sam"
"DMV" by Primus
"Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl
"Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk" by Frank Zappa. Many, many other songs by FZ fit the criteria, too, like "I Don't Wanna Get Drafted", "Tinsel Town Rebellion" and "Dumb All Over"
Maybe too slow for a party...
"Baltimore" by Randy Newman
"America" poem by Allen Ginsberg with music by Tom Waits
posted by bonobo at 3:06 PM on June 27, 2008
"Miss America" by David Byrne
"Texas" by Boss Hog
"American Life"
"Electric Uncle Sam"
"DMV" by Primus
"Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl
"Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk" by Frank Zappa. Many, many other songs by FZ fit the criteria, too, like "I Don't Wanna Get Drafted", "Tinsel Town Rebellion" and "Dumb All Over"
Maybe too slow for a party...
"Baltimore" by Randy Newman
"America" poem by Allen Ginsberg with music by Tom Waits
posted by bonobo at 3:06 PM on June 27, 2008
Scottish band, and doesn't mention America by name (could be about anywhere, really), but "Let's Get Out of This Country" by Camera Obscura comes to mind. Talks about waving goodbye to thankless jobs and finding a "cathedral city".
posted by weezetr at 3:12 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by weezetr at 3:12 PM on June 27, 2008
There's always "Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayitsworldwouldfallapart" by the once mighty Manic Street Preachers.
Altogether now, "Big mac, smack, phoenix r, please smile y'all. Cuba, mexico can't cauterize our discipline..."
posted by merocet at 3:17 PM on June 27, 2008
Altogether now, "Big mac, smack, phoenix r, please smile y'all. Cuba, mexico can't cauterize our discipline..."
posted by merocet at 3:17 PM on June 27, 2008
"America" by Bree Sharp
"American Nightmare" by kmfdm (this song is maybe too industrial for a party)
posted by overglow at 3:19 PM on June 27, 2008
"American Nightmare" by kmfdm (this song is maybe too industrial for a party)
posted by overglow at 3:19 PM on June 27, 2008
American Gangster Time by Elvis Costello.
Fuck This Town by Robbie Fulks (Nashville).
posted by ibmcginty at 3:21 PM on June 27, 2008
Fuck This Town by Robbie Fulks (Nashville).
posted by ibmcginty at 3:21 PM on June 27, 2008
Late to the party, most of my first thoughts are already above.... but there's also...
Lou Reed/John Cale - Small Town ("Where did Picasso come from? There's sure no Michelangelo coming from Pittsburgh.")
Pretenders - My City Was Gone ("My pretty countryside had been paved down the middle by a government that had no pride.")
posted by rokusan at 3:23 PM on June 27, 2008
Lou Reed/John Cale - Small Town ("Where did Picasso come from? There's sure no Michelangelo coming from Pittsburgh.")
Pretenders - My City Was Gone ("My pretty countryside had been paved down the middle by a government that had no pride.")
posted by rokusan at 3:23 PM on June 27, 2008
California Uber Alles, Dead Kennedys -- actually, pretty damn near anything by DK.
Texas, Big Black
Jordan Minnesota, Big Black
oh, wait, tongue-in-cheek? damn, that's a bit harder.
posted by boo_radley at 3:25 PM on June 27, 2008
Texas, Big Black
Jordan Minnesota, Big Black
oh, wait, tongue-in-cheek? damn, that's a bit harder.
posted by boo_radley at 3:25 PM on June 27, 2008
Typical American by the Goats - not to mention many of the other songs off their awesome first album
also, many of the pieces off the album Sonic Jihad by Paris
posted by jammy at 3:25 PM on June 27, 2008
also, many of the pieces off the album Sonic Jihad by Paris
posted by jammy at 3:25 PM on June 27, 2008
California Songs by Local H.
Disses Ca. and L.A. and tosses in a bonus "fuck New York too!"
How can you go wrong?
posted by Max Power at 3:26 PM on June 27, 2008
Disses Ca. and L.A. and tosses in a bonus "fuck New York too!"
How can you go wrong?
posted by Max Power at 3:26 PM on June 27, 2008
Los Angeles is Burning, by Bad Religion
Burn On (Cleveland), by Randy Newman
Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out on Broadway), by Billy Joel
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 3:34 PM on June 27, 2008
Burn On (Cleveland), by Randy Newman
Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out on Broadway), by Billy Joel
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 3:34 PM on June 27, 2008
Rammstein - Amerika
Brother Ali - Uncle Sam Goddamn
Dead Prez - They School
The Perceptionists - Memorial Day
KMFDM - WWIII
posted by phrontist at 3:43 PM on June 27, 2008
Brother Ali - Uncle Sam Goddamn
Dead Prez - They School
The Perceptionists - Memorial Day
KMFDM - WWIII
posted by phrontist at 3:43 PM on June 27, 2008
Tom Lehrer - Pollution
Tom Lehrer - Send the Marines
Tom Lehrer - So Long, Mom
posted by phrontist at 3:48 PM on June 27, 2008
Tom Lehrer - Send the Marines
Tom Lehrer - So Long, Mom
posted by phrontist at 3:48 PM on June 27, 2008
Thievery Corporation - Truth and Rights
"The prostitutes gather at the top of Constitution Avenue to dictate what I can say or do"
posted by phrontist at 3:50 PM on June 27, 2008
"The prostitutes gather at the top of Constitution Avenue to dictate what I can say or do"
posted by phrontist at 3:50 PM on June 27, 2008
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - This Land
(they use the origional lyrics, which are more critical of the US)
posted by phrontist at 3:53 PM on June 27, 2008
(they use the origional lyrics, which are more critical of the US)
posted by phrontist at 3:53 PM on June 27, 2008
"Back in the USSR"
posted by availablelight at 4:06 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by availablelight at 4:06 PM on June 27, 2008
My City Was Gone, The Pretenders (aka, "Ay, oh, way to go, Ohio...")
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:32 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:32 PM on June 27, 2008
The Sounds, "Living in America" -- "We're not living in America, but we're not sorry."
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 4:36 PM on June 27, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 4:36 PM on June 27, 2008 [1 favorite]
No "I Hate California" by Jonathan Coulton yet?
There's something out there I just don't get
I know your friends out there must think I'm pretty strange
Because I dress as if the weather's gonna change
But it never does
posted by calistasm at 4:37 PM on June 27, 2008
There's something out there I just don't get
I know your friends out there must think I'm pretty strange
Because I dress as if the weather's gonna change
But it never does
posted by calistasm at 4:37 PM on June 27, 2008
Response by poster: Thank you everyone, these are great!
posted by Mr Bunnsy at 4:41 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by Mr Bunnsy at 4:41 PM on June 27, 2008
Why that would have to be Fuck the USA by The Exploited. Guess the refrain!
posted by vodkaboots at 4:49 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by vodkaboots at 4:49 PM on June 27, 2008
Choking Victim - Fuck America (Ska-Punk mixed with Metal)
Defiance, Ohio - The New World Order (Folksy, Quite tongue in cheek)
Actually, the Defiance, Ohio puts all their songs online for free on their site.
posted by symbollocks at 4:54 PM on June 27, 2008
Defiance, Ohio - The New World Order (Folksy, Quite tongue in cheek)
Actually, the Defiance, Ohio puts all their songs online for free on their site.
posted by symbollocks at 4:54 PM on June 27, 2008
Some older stuff:
Keep on Rockin' in the Free World - Neil Young
Ignoreland - REM
and maybe:
You're a Whole Different Person When You're Scared - Warren Zevon
posted by dilettante at 5:15 PM on June 27, 2008
Keep on Rockin' in the Free World - Neil Young
Ignoreland - REM
and maybe:
You're a Whole Different Person When You're Scared - Warren Zevon
posted by dilettante at 5:15 PM on June 27, 2008
Eminem - White America
posted by shothotbot at 5:59 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by shothotbot at 5:59 PM on June 27, 2008
If the people leaving the States are coming up to the great white north, then how can I do anything but recommend Moving to Canada by Cloud Cult? Even if not, well it's about the re-election of Bush and moving away.
(I'd link it, but the only youtube video I found has terrible levels.)
posted by Lemurrhea at 6:41 PM on June 27, 2008
(I'd link it, but the only youtube video I found has terrible levels.)
posted by Lemurrhea at 6:41 PM on June 27, 2008
On the "songs about leaving America" front, try "Steven's Last Night in Town" by Ben Folds Five.
posted by kindall at 7:56 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by kindall at 7:56 PM on June 27, 2008
New Jersey from the obscure 80's film "It's a Complex World" immediately comes to mind. It's worth a listen just for the entertainment value!
posted by platinum at 9:09 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by platinum at 9:09 PM on June 27, 2008
America Is Not The World by Morrissey, from You Are The Quarry.
posted by 2oh1 at 10:07 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by 2oh1 at 10:07 PM on June 27, 2008
Tim Dog "Fuck Compton"
REM "Don't Go Back to Rockville"
Liz Phair "California"
Pavement "Box Elder"
LCD Soundsystem "North American Scum"
posted by citron at 10:36 PM on June 27, 2008
REM "Don't Go Back to Rockville"
Liz Phair "California"
Pavement "Box Elder"
LCD Soundsystem "North American Scum"
posted by citron at 10:36 PM on June 27, 2008
America is Waiting from My Life in the Bush of Ghosts by Byrne and Eno is not without groove and definitely _feels_ anti-American or some sort or another.
posted by codefinger at 11:35 PM on June 27, 2008
posted by codefinger at 11:35 PM on June 27, 2008
D'oh - Sheryl Crow, "Leaving Las Vegas"
Juliana Hatfield, "Feelin' Massachusetts"
Low "Hey Chicago"
Luna "Calfornia All the Way"
"By the Time I Get to Phoenix"
Revolting Cocks "Beers, Steers, & Queers" (just to class it up a bit)
Rick Ross "Push It" [Miami song]
Roisin Murphy "Dear Miami"
Gladys Knight "Midnight Train to Georgia" (this is so great!!!)
posted by citron at 11:41 PM on June 27, 2008
Juliana Hatfield, "Feelin' Massachusetts"
Low "Hey Chicago"
Luna "Calfornia All the Way"
"By the Time I Get to Phoenix"
Revolting Cocks "Beers, Steers, & Queers" (just to class it up a bit)
Rick Ross "Push It" [Miami song]
Roisin Murphy "Dear Miami"
Gladys Knight "Midnight Train to Georgia" (this is so great!!!)
posted by citron at 11:41 PM on June 27, 2008
Less Than Jake - Never Going Back to New Jersey
posted by workerant at 8:51 AM on June 28, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by workerant at 8:51 AM on June 28, 2008 [1 favorite]
In fact, Less Than Jake's History of a Boring Town kinda fits the bill too.
posted by workerant at 9:01 AM on June 28, 2008
posted by workerant at 9:01 AM on June 28, 2008
You want to check out some Grant Lee Buffalo, who often match lush vocals and a rich Americana-rock sound with (admittedly, sometimes strident and muddled) lyrics about how fucked-up the U.S. is:
Stars N' Stripes
America Snoring
Side by Side
Homespun
Comes to Blows
posted by kittyprecious at 9:34 AM on June 28, 2008
Stars N' Stripes
America Snoring
Side by Side
Homespun
Comes to Blows
posted by kittyprecious at 9:34 AM on June 28, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Skot at 2:10 PM on June 27, 2008 [1 favorite]