"Let's Impeach the President" by Neil Young
(2006), Living with War
Written by Neil Young
Commenting on the lack of artists writing songs critical of American politics at the time, Young said: "I was hoping some young person would come along and say this and sing some songs about it, but I didn't see anybody, so I'm doing it myself. I waited as long as I could."
David Fricke of the Rolling Stones explains the album Living with War and song Lets Impeach the President by saying, "And in all nine (songs), Young charges the current president and his administration with, among other things, lying, spying, waging war with no right or reason and dereliction of duty to the nation's founding ideals."
(2006), Living with War
Written by Neil Young
Commenting on the lack of artists writing songs critical of American politics at the time, Young said: "I was hoping some young person would come along and say this and sing some songs about it, but I didn't see anybody, so I'm doing it myself. I waited as long as I could."
David Fricke of the Rolling Stones explains the album Living with War and song Lets Impeach the President by saying, "And in all nine (songs), Young charges the current president and his administration with, among other things, lying, spying, waging war with no right or reason and dereliction of duty to the nation's founding ideals."
"Lets Impeach the President"- Neil Young
Let's impeach the President for lying
And misleading our country into war
Abusing all the power that we gave him
And shipping all our money out the door
Who's the man who hired all the criminals
The White House shadows who hide behind closed doors
They bend the facts to fit with their new stories
Of why we have to send our men to war
Let's impeach the President for spying
On citizens inside their own homes
Breaking every law in the country
By tapping our computers and telephones
What if Al Qaeda blew up the levees
Would New Orleans have been safer that way
Sheltered by our government's protection
Or was someone just not home that day?
Flip - Flop
Flip - Flop
Flip - Flop
Flip - Flop
Let's impeach the president for hijacking
Our religion and using it to get elected
Dividing our country into colors
And still leaving black people neglected
Thank god he's cracking down on steroids
Since he sold his old baseball team
There's lots of people looking at big trouble
But of course our president is clean.
Thank God
Guiding Questions:
How does this song present the war? Pro-war or anti-war and how do you know?
What language of the song stands out to you, catches your attention, etc?
Is this song in support of or critical of the stated foreign policy?
How does the song answer one of the driving questions?
Do you agree with the message of the song or not? Why?
Analysis:
The song “Let’s Impeach the President”, by Neil Young, is an anti-war song that is critical of President George W. Bush’s actions regarding the Iraq war and other subjects of his presidency. The song is composed of a list of President Bush’s wrongdoings, and claims that they are enough reason to impeach him. What is unique about this song is that not only is it anti-war, but it does not present its message in a sarcastic way like similar songs, it gets straight to the point and doesn't waste any time beating around the bush (no pun intended). This song is critical of the foreign policy established during Bush’s presidency, referred to as the Bush Doctrine. The Bush Doctrine is used to justify George Bush’s actions as president, while this song claims that his actions are unjustifiable. One of the driving questions of this project is “how does war affect society?” We can use this song to infer that the author believes one effect of war is that it compels governments to do unusual and unpardonable things like spy on its citizens. As the author of this analysis, my personal belief is that although I disapprove of President Bush's actions, they don't necessitate his impeachment.
Let's impeach the President for lying
And misleading our country into war
Abusing all the power that we gave him
And shipping all our money out the door
Who's the man who hired all the criminals
The White House shadows who hide behind closed doors
They bend the facts to fit with their new stories
Of why we have to send our men to war
Let's impeach the President for spying
On citizens inside their own homes
Breaking every law in the country
By tapping our computers and telephones
What if Al Qaeda blew up the levees
Would New Orleans have been safer that way
Sheltered by our government's protection
Or was someone just not home that day?
Flip - Flop
Flip - Flop
Flip - Flop
Flip - Flop
Let's impeach the president for hijacking
Our religion and using it to get elected
Dividing our country into colors
And still leaving black people neglected
Thank god he's cracking down on steroids
Since he sold his old baseball team
There's lots of people looking at big trouble
But of course our president is clean.
Thank God
Guiding Questions:
How does this song present the war? Pro-war or anti-war and how do you know?
What language of the song stands out to you, catches your attention, etc?
Is this song in support of or critical of the stated foreign policy?
How does the song answer one of the driving questions?
Do you agree with the message of the song or not? Why?
Analysis:
The song “Let’s Impeach the President”, by Neil Young, is an anti-war song that is critical of President George W. Bush’s actions regarding the Iraq war and other subjects of his presidency. The song is composed of a list of President Bush’s wrongdoings, and claims that they are enough reason to impeach him. What is unique about this song is that not only is it anti-war, but it does not present its message in a sarcastic way like similar songs, it gets straight to the point and doesn't waste any time beating around the bush (no pun intended). This song is critical of the foreign policy established during Bush’s presidency, referred to as the Bush Doctrine. The Bush Doctrine is used to justify George Bush’s actions as president, while this song claims that his actions are unjustifiable. One of the driving questions of this project is “how does war affect society?” We can use this song to infer that the author believes one effect of war is that it compels governments to do unusual and unpardonable things like spy on its citizens. As the author of this analysis, my personal belief is that although I disapprove of President Bush's actions, they don't necessitate his impeachment.