The Greatest Liberal Rock Songs

Inspired by the National Review’s list of the “50 greatest conservative rock songs,” the folks at One Cosmos have been posting and mocking their lists of the “greatest liberal rock songs.” Their lists include “War,” “American Woman,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” “Little Boxes,” “Eve of Destruction,” “San Franciscan Nights,” “Woodstock,” “One Tin Soldier,’ and, of course, John Lennon’s immortal “Imagine.” Since I can’t post there, I’d like to offer here another suggestion for their list: Steppenwolf’s “Monster.”

Once the religious, the hunted and weary
Chasing the promise of freedom and hope
Came to this country to build a new vision
Far from the reaches of kingdom and pope.
Like good Christians, some would burn the witches.
Later some got slaves to gather riches.

But still from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands to court the wild.
And she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light.

And once the ties with the crown had been broken,
Westward in saddle and wagon it went.
And 'til the railroad linked ocean to ocean,
Many the lives which had come to an end.
While we bullied, stole and bought our a homeland.
We began the slaughter of the red man.

But still from near and far to seek America,
They came by thousands to court the wild.
And she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light.

The blue and grey they stomped it,
They kicked it just like a dog.
And when the war over,
They stuffed it just like a hog.
And though the past has it's share of injustice,
Kind was the spirit in many a way.
But it's protectors and friends have been sleeping.
Now it's a monster and will not obey.

(Suicide)The spirit was freedom and justice,
And it's keepers seem generous and kind.
It's leaders were supposed to serve the country,
But now they won't pay it no mind.
'Cause the people grew fat and got lazy,
And now their vote is a meaningless joke.
They babble about law and order,
But it's all just an echo of what they've been told.

Yeah, there's a monster on the loose.
It's got our heads into a noose.
And it just sits there watchin.'

Our cities have turned into jungles.
And corruption is stranglin' the land.
The police force is watching the people.
And the people just can't understand.
We don't know how to mind our own business.'
Cause the whole worlds got to be just like us.
Now we are fighting a war over there.
No matter who's the winner,
We can't pay the cost.'

Cause there's a monster on the loose.
It's got our heads into a noose.
And it just sits there watching.

(America)America where are you now?
Don't you care about your sons and daughters?
Don't you know we need you now.
We can't fight alone against the monster.

Songs like “Imagine” may be quixotic. Songs like “Monster” may overplay the dark side of this nation’s history and condition. But, say what they will over at OC, I think that these are great songs that tell important truths about the world as it is and the world as we, in our idealistic heart of hearts, would like it to be.

I’m grateful for them.