Tell people in Spain that the number one song in the U.S. right now is Randy Newman’s “Political Science” (written in 1972!), I think most people would believe you. (hint: the “big one” is the atomic bomb and just to be ABSOLUTELY CLEAR people, he is MAKING FUN of Americans who would think this way). Of course, the joke is that Spanish people would believe that this song is serious. Lyrics here:
I don't know why.
We may not be perfect
But heaven knows we try.
But all around even our old friends put us down.
Let's drop the big one and see what happens.
We give them money
But are they grateful?
No they're spiteful
And they're hateful.
They don't respect us so let's surprise them;
We'll drop the big one and pulverize them.
Now Asia's crowded
And Europe's too old.
Africa's far too hot,
And Canada's too cold.
And South America stole our name.
Let's drop the big one; there'll be no one left to blame us.
We'll save Australia;
Don't wanna hurt no kangaroo.
We'll build an all-American amusement park there;
They've got surfing, too.
Well, boom goes London,
And boom Pear-EE
More room for you
And more room for me.
And every city the whole world round
Will just be another American town.
Oh, how peaceful it'll be;
We'll set everybody free;
You'll wear Japanese kimonos, baby,
There'll be Italian shoes for me.
They all hate us anyhow,
So let's drop the big one now.
Let's drop the big one now.
Randy Newman is a friggin genius, depressed, but a genius. He's a unique kind of a songwriter. His songs are like little novels narrated by the characters he creates – they are not “him” talking. This one is narrated by some nameless American idiot (but a funny and kind of insightful idiot) who can’t understand why the world doesn’t like us. Oddly enough, sometimes I am that idiot….
Of course this is funny, terrifying, hilarious, crazy, and believable that an American would feel this way (… hmm, let’s see.. do I think? ….… NAHHH!).
This song has cracked me up for years. My favorite line? "We'll set everybody free!"
Hear it here:
