Frank Zappa's "Who needs the Peace Corps?" is top conservative song



"Released in 1967, at the height of the flower-power summer of love nonsense, this song is a scathing indictment of all things hippy, making 'Won't Get Fooled Again' look tepid in comparison. Of course the song's not actually conservative, per se, but neither are most of the tracks on this list. But hey, however the National Review guys want to rationalize their record collections -- and there appears to be an alarming amount of Rush in there -- is fine by me. Rock on, my right-wing brothers!"

Frank Zappa's "Who needs the Peace Corps?" is top conservative song

Right Wing Mag Names Top 50 Conservative Songs
Blogcritics
Pete Blackwell
May 26, 2006

History shows again and again / How nature points up the folly of men.

The National Review has compiled a list of the top 50 conservative rock songs. In true conservative fashion, it's not available on their website. They'd rather you pony up the dough to buy a print copy of the magazine. The whole list plus capsule explanations has been reprinted on the New York Times website, which only asks for a free registration so they can track your every move like the NSA.

[Excerpt]

The number one spot is claimed by the Who for 'Won't Get Fooled Again,' which deflates the nitrous oxide bubble of hippy idealism. Considering the fact that Townshend and Company have an equally dim view of the alternative, it's not quite fair to call the song conservative. Anti-hippy? Sure, but more nihilistic than conservative. Maybe they were drawn to it because of this line: 'I get on my knees and pray.' The number 7 slot goes to 'Revolution,' by the Beatles, both for its anti-Mao sentiment and for its criticism of the 1968 youth protest movements. It beggars belief that the whip smart fellows over at National Review would accuse the author of 'Imagine' of being a conservative.

[Excerpt]

The number one omission, according to the criteria for this list, would have to be 'Who Needs the Peace Corps?,' by Frank Zappa. Released in 1967, at the height of the flower-power summer of love nonsense, this song is a scathing indictment of all things hippy, making 'Won't Get Fooled Again' look tepid in comparison. Of course the song's not actually conservative, per se, but neither are most of the tracks on this list. But hey, however the National Review guys want to rationalize their record collections -- and there appears to be an alarming amount of Rush in there -- is fine by me. Rock on, my right-wing brothers!

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Headlines: May, 2006; Music; Criticism

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