Clear Channel Communication
Sent a memo to their stations
Asking DJs to take care
With songs they play upon the air
That might upset, that might divide
That just might stem the growing tide
To send the country into war
Guess that's what the media is for
To help the listeners of this nation
Clear Channel Communication
Made a list and sent it out
Of songs we should think twice about
One hundred sixty songs or so
To not hear on your radio
Mettalica, The Clash and Queen
AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen
Van Halen, Kansas, Jackson Browne
Dave Matthews, Pink Floyd, Three Doors Down
A huge and most impressive list
But as I read I said, "What's this?"
Louis Armstrong's on there too
Neil Diamond, him I always knew
Elvis, Peter, Paul & Mary
James Taylor, he was always scary
"Imagine," "Peace Train," "Get Together"
"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"
As I read this litany
One awful thought came clear to me
I didn't make this list
Though I've worked my whole life long
Twenty five recordings
They can't find one lousy song?
It's a slap in the face, an awful disgrace
What do I have to do
To make the grade and not be played
Like Sinatra and U2?
"How many songs must a folksinger write
"Before they're forever banned?"
"Imagine there's no airplay
"It's easy if you try..."
I've always disagreed with folks who've said
The world is saved by songs
One thing I've learned from all of this
Is that I must be wrong
Some people think it's dangerous
These things we sing and write
The pen is mightier than the sword
And I'm wielding mine tonight
No, I didn't make the list
Though I'm really not surprised
I guess that means I can resist
When they've silenced all these other guys
I'm taking it well, I'm giving 'em hell
It's the only sane solution
So here's a song, now sing along
And join the revolution:
"Come on, people, now smile on your brother
"Everybody get together and love one another right now"
Charlottesville, VA September 2001
©2001 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP)
Sent a memo to their stations
Asking DJs to take care
With songs they play upon the air
That might upset, that might divide
That just might stem the growing tide
To send the country into war
Guess that's what the media is for
To help the listeners of this nation
Clear Channel Communication
Made a list and sent it out
Of songs we should think twice about
One hundred sixty songs or so
To not hear on your radio
Mettalica, The Clash and Queen
AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen
Van Halen, Kansas, Jackson Browne
Dave Matthews, Pink Floyd, Three Doors Down
A huge and most impressive list
But as I read I said, "What's this?"
Louis Armstrong's on there too
Neil Diamond, him I always knew
Elvis, Peter, Paul & Mary
James Taylor, he was always scary
"Imagine," "Peace Train," "Get Together"
"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"
As I read this litany
One awful thought came clear to me
I didn't make this list
Though I've worked my whole life long
Twenty five recordings
They can't find one lousy song?
It's a slap in the face, an awful disgrace
What do I have to do
To make the grade and not be played
Like Sinatra and U2?
"How many songs must a folksinger write
"Before they're forever banned?"
"Imagine there's no airplay
"It's easy if you try..."
I've always disagreed with folks who've said
The world is saved by songs
One thing I've learned from all of this
Is that I must be wrong
Some people think it's dangerous
These things we sing and write
The pen is mightier than the sword
And I'm wielding mine tonight
No, I didn't make the list
Though I'm really not surprised
I guess that means I can resist
When they've silenced all these other guys
I'm taking it well, I'm giving 'em hell
It's the only sane solution
So here's a song, now sing along
And join the revolution:
"Come on, people, now smile on your brother
"Everybody get together and love one another right now"
Charlottesville, VA September 2001
©2001 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP)