You are unlikely to have heard the song. My college roommate had unearthed it somewhere and we frequently sang it in concert. I still hum it from time to time.
After having heard their "I'm Not My Brother's Keeper, I Just Clean His Cage," I elected to not listen to anything else of theirs. Yet I have noticed that the song you mention is featured prominently in all discussions of them.
I admire their devotion to facial hair. Manly hair in general, I suppose.
The songs -- the one you posted and Richard Johnson's -- didn't strike me as initially great, although I do appreciate local pride. However, this afternoon I happened into an establishment that was playing currently-popular music, and on reflection I realize that I missed a great part of their quality. To whit, they actually learned to make real music at some point before showing up at the recording studio. They even learned to sing rather than having it worked up on a computer later.
So, fully considered, I'd have to say they're better than almost anyone working today. It's not exactly my thing, but it's a real thing.
I don't recall having heard of them before--not even the Lake Shore Drive song, which as Grim points out is done well. I looked up the I'm Not My Brother's Keeper lyrics, and my initial good impressions went ashcan.
As to that, I wouldn't be too harsh. I too have cared for a dying loved one, and thought: "I have no power over death but to deal it; but I have that power, truly, and I could end all this suffering in a moment if only laws and powers would step out of the way."
I still don't know if it was better that we do it the way that we do, though I went along with that way. I watched the best man I ever knew suffer and die, shaking, having clearly expressed his desire to die rather than suffer, and I could have stopped it at any moment. But it went on, and it went on.
So don't be too harsh, if the song was the product of experience. It may have been anguish at seeing the suffering, which I hope does not speak so badly of a man since I have known it myself.
They are best known for that celebration of the city of Chicago-Lake Shore Drive.
ReplyDeleteAfter having heard their "I'm Not My Brother's Keeper, I Just Clean His Cage," I elected to not listen to anything else of theirs. Yet I have noticed that the song you mention is featured prominently in all discussions of them.
ReplyDeleteI admire their devotion to facial hair. Manly hair in general, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteThe songs -- the one you posted and Richard Johnson's -- didn't strike me as initially great, although I do appreciate local pride. However, this afternoon I happened into an establishment that was playing currently-popular music, and on reflection I realize that I missed a great part of their quality. To whit, they actually learned to make real music at some point before showing up at the recording studio. They even learned to sing rather than having it worked up on a computer later.
So, fully considered, I'd have to say they're better than almost anyone working today. It's not exactly my thing, but it's a real thing.
I don't recall having heard of them before--not even the Lake Shore Drive song, which as Grim points out is done well. I looked up the I'm Not My Brother's Keeper lyrics, and my initial good impressions went ashcan.
ReplyDeleteAs to that, I wouldn't be too harsh. I too have cared for a dying loved one, and thought: "I have no power over death but to deal it; but I have that power, truly, and I could end all this suffering in a moment if only laws and powers would step out of the way."
ReplyDeleteI still don't know if it was better that we do it the way that we do, though I went along with that way. I watched the best man I ever knew suffer and die, shaking, having clearly expressed his desire to die rather than suffer, and I could have stopped it at any moment. But it went on, and it went on.
So don't be too harsh, if the song was the product of experience. It may have been anguish at seeing the suffering, which I hope does not speak so badly of a man since I have known it myself.
I didn't read it as a dying brother, but as a mentally challenged one. Maybe I misread it--I hope so.
ReplyDelete