Ain't That America

I'm taking a break from working on a song that is slowly developing to clear out some thoughts that are fogging my head.

I am sitting in Uncommon Grounds in Saratoga and it is the Fourth of July. The playlist that is subtly available for coffee and tea drinkers is a variety of songs about America. It's a nice touch.

The song that just finished playing was "Pink Houses" by John Mellencamp. I cover this song and rather love it for it's style and the point that it makes.

As it played in the background, behind the chatter of patrons and the brewing of coffee, I focused on every word and pondered the irony of it playing on a day called Independence Day.

Today is the biggest pro-America holiday that there is. Veteran's Day bring out a lot of America lovers, too, but the Fourth of July is definitely number one.

The reason we celebrate the Fourth of July doesn't need to be explained and there is really no need for me to express my thoughts on the Red, White, and Blue at this time.

"Pink Houses" is not a pro-America song in the sense that other songs are. It is not a "love your country" song. The line "little pink houses for you and me" is a cynical statement on the American Dream: a house in the suburbs with a white picket fence and 2.5 kids, etc. The "you and me" that he mentions is a jab at the fact that the American Dream is not available to every American.

There are two main characters in "Pink Houses." In the first verse it is a "black man with a black cat." He lives in near poverty, but is mostly content with the low income lifestyle that he possesses. Listening to the first verse, you get a bittersweet feeling about this man and his situation. On the one hand, he is happy with his life; on the other hand, you feel that he deserves more.

In the second verse, you meet a "young man in a t-shirt." He grows up believing that he has all kinds of opportunities in this country ("one day you're gonna be president"). Then again, those types of dreams are "crazy." You don't really have the opportunities that the government would have you believe.

The third verse brings out the point of the song by explaining that there are "people and more people" who basically don't know anything about the people in the first two verses. They work in high-rises and vacation in costly places and never worry about the less fortunate.

This is exactly the point of the Occupy movement with regards to distribution of our country's wealth. Verses one and two describe the 99% and Verse three is the unaware and uncaring 1%.

"Pink Houses" is definitely one of my favorite songs for the fact that it expresses a valid point and it sounds awesome. It's also a blast to play live.

"Pink Houses" mentions the name of our country in every chorus: "Well, ain't that America..." and our country's slogan: "home of the free..." which is why it is on the Fourth of July playlist at Uncommon Grounds.

What I love about the song is the brutal cynicism of the song's use of the slogan.

What I wonder is: how many republicans realize the meaning of the song? It's clearly driven by liberal views.

As the song played, and I listened intently, I glanced around at the oblivious faces of people buying tea and coffee. Maybe they are on their way to celebrate their freedom on their boat or at an extravagant barbecue with family and friends.

I wonder if they realize that there are people who don't have the opportunity to do either of those things...

ain't that America...