Writer who was, outsider who is. Still struggling to understand social norms, but not contemplating the soon-come end of his life as he once did. Happiest on horseback, because even those risks are easier to understand than other people. Still trying to work out the contradictions of loving M.R. James and Channel AKA. But slowly getting there.
Why should you be surprised about Mick Jagger doing a right-wing song in 1987? He did more to promote neoliberalism in Britain, and break down the post-war settlement, than even Keith Joseph.
For the record, my original comment was directed at Henry K. Miller (who I think may still read this blog: if he does, it was all a classic example of 90% in common and therefore the 10% hurting more) and his apparent tone of surprise ("holy shit") re. "Let's Work" on ILM. As usual, my general view - that 60s pop culture begat Thatcherism measurably more than it didn't, and that pop music and socialism are incompatible to such an extent that *simply by listening to pop music* one is, in some sense, endorsing neoliberalism - can best be explained by the opening and closing essays of 'Revolution in the Head', the early Reynolds/Stubbs thinkpieces and Simon Frith's writing in MM during the Winter of Discontent. Those who promote an ideology through mass entertainment are far more influential in spreading it than those who promote the ideology in intellectual terms among the political and academic elite. Nobody should be surprised that someone like Jagger did things like this. When you stop being surprised, everything becomes much clearer.
Thought provoking account of how some of my own 60s heroes were adopted by, and fell in with, the techno libertarian right in the 90s. Fascinating (and well researched) book.
That's a bit cryptic. I wonder what you're ...
ReplyDeleteOMFG!!! Just did a bit of research on "Jagger", "1987" on Google and then hit YouTube ...
Fuck!
Gob-smacked!
Frozen in horror!
Eeeaark!
Actually, you know what really scares me?
ReplyDeleteThe comments on YouTube.
"Great song and he was totally fit."
"Everyone in a big race, I love this video"
"Best Mick Jagger song of all time by far!!!
:-)"
"Ya gotta love Mick"
"great song, legendary even.."
"THUMBS UP EVERYONE !!!!!"
"3 weeks ago"
Quite.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, my original comment was directed at Henry K. Miller (who I think may still read this blog: if he does, it was all a classic example of 90% in common and therefore the 10% hurting more) and his apparent tone of surprise ("holy shit") re. "Let's Work" on ILM. As usual, my general view - that 60s pop culture begat Thatcherism measurably more than it didn't, and that pop music and socialism are incompatible to such an extent that *simply by listening to pop music* one is, in some sense, endorsing neoliberalism - can best be explained by the opening and closing essays of 'Revolution in the Head', the early Reynolds/Stubbs thinkpieces and Simon Frith's writing in MM during the Winter of Discontent. Those who promote an ideology through mass entertainment are far more influential in spreading it than those who promote the ideology in intellectual terms among the political and academic elite. Nobody should be surprised that someone like Jagger did things like this. When you stop being surprised, everything becomes much clearer.
Totally agree.
ReplyDeleteBTW : I just read this.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Counterculture-Cyberculture-Stewart-Network-Utopianism/dp/0226817423/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277298321&sr=8-2
Thought provoking account of how some of my own 60s heroes were adopted by, and fell in with, the techno libertarian right in the 90s. Fascinating (and well researched) book.