[Though the discussion began here the bulk of it is to be found at this fine link. Please note that the discussion -- about what is the single greatest rock song of all time -- is still open. Note, too, that, if you've already made a suggestion you are not thus excluded from making several more. Heaven knows such a challenge as crowning one rock song the very best is not an easy one.
Nominations thus far include works by U2, The Police, Kansas, Warren Zevon, Radiohead, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bruce Springsteen, The Sex Pistols, The Rolling Stones, Captain Beefheart, and a few others. What do YOU think?
As I promised already, I will name (and defend) my choice for best rock tune of all time when our little diversion is closed. And I will occasionally reveal a few of my favorites and even drop hints about my top-most choice. Here's a clue: the best song of all time comes out of Britain. Sorry, Aerosmith fans. As for one of my all-time favorite rock and roll jams, Yes's live version of "Starship Trooper", particularly Steve Howe's amazing guitar solo through "Wurm"-- the song's climax -- ranks high on my I-wish-I-were-a rock-guitarist list. And one of my favorite oldies to sing, full voice, is "Never Been To Spain" by Three Dog Night. Peace. BG]
Some of you might find this sort of diversion grotesque -- wondering what the greatest rock song of all time might be while World War III (or IV) is breaking out in the Middle East. It's a bit like wondering what tune Nero was fiddling while Rome was burning (I imagine it was the coda to "Baba O'Riley"). But if we are on the edge of apocalypse (which actually means "to uncover" or "reveal", by the way; it only rather recently devolved into "final doom"), then what could be more revealing than to divine the best rock song of all time?
Israel, indeed, is at war with its neighbors. It has been since time immemorial. World opinion will shift and slant about this; there will be many who will continue to blame Israel for everything, and many new faces will join them. Propagandists will posit that Israel is not only America's puppet in the region, they will win over many hearts with the rather foolish belief that America is solely responsible for Israel's strength and prosperity. Hence, America will be attacked by radicals in an effort to isolate America from the rest of the world; America, in retreat, licking its massive wounds -- that's what Israel's enemies need. But Israel will surprise those who hate it so. It is a nation with incredible power. It will not be easily cowed, and it surely will not be obliterated from the earth (which is the apparent goal of Iran and the "disbanded" PLO charter).
Lastly, this is not about territory or religion. It is a battle over the very nature of God, about which nation is God's nation; about which God is really the one with power. And it is a battle over gods. But it is also a battle over peace. As one astute commentator said, if Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas were to destroy all their weapons and wave the flag of peace, Israel would retreat to its borders and live unto itself peacefully. But if Israel were to destroy all its weapons, if it were to return all occupied lands and smash its guns into ploughshares, it would be pushed into the Dead Sea by its neighbors.
You see, as long as Israel exists, the problem will persist. That is why my support goes to Israel: the invaders are circling, and they want Jerusalem -- the City of Peace -- for themselves. Israel will not let that happen. But I am guessing that over the next few weeks, months, years -- even decades -- there will be things done by Israel that will challenge the loyalties of most of its allies. That, in fact, already seems to be happening. For I hear many conservative voices, voices one would expect to be pro-Israel to the core, chiming critical of Israel's recent actions.
But I think I will stay out of all of this, for now. I am ignorant in these matters. I will simply follow my heart on this one.
Peace to all. We pray.
©Bill Gnade 2006/Contratimes - All Rights Reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment