Hyden compares the work of two Midwestern rockers - John Mellencamp and Kid Rock- and says that the difference in their outlook is sadly reflective of what's happened to people in our part of the country.
At heart, Mellencamp and Kid Rock are political firebrands with a disdain for the political system. But that disdain took them to radically different places, and this shift has greater significance beyond just their respective careers. From the '80s to the '10s, Heartland rock has gone from Farm Aid to "fuck you." How in the hell did that happen?Hyden notes that Mellencamp's songs of the '80s distrusted elites, but it came from a Woody Guthrie type tradition of community, giving a voice to the voiceless, and helping your neighbor that had fallen on hard times.
Kid Rock? He's flying a Confederate flag, waving his middle finger in the air, and voting for Donald Trump to "stick it to those smarty-pantses." There is no sense of community, it's all self-absorbed, and the Detroit-based Rock has even demeaned unions because of the idiotic trope about "protecting the lazy one" instead of recognizing that it helps EVERYONE.
The piece is brilliant, and a great parable for how the rural Midwest has declined and redeemed in the last 30 years. Read it and share it.
As someone born in Detroit pre-Kid Rock, all I can think is he's trying real hard to outdo Eminem. You're right about the Kid just raising his big middle finger, kind of like Ted Nugent. (I've always liked Motown and Was Not Was).
ReplyDeleteUsed to be that Bob Seger was similar to Bruce Springsteen. Mellencamp was just named John Cougar (was a regular in Madison), without the whole "Fuck You" vibe Kid Rock presents.
Kid Rock's fame is sad as his big hit just used Lynyrd Skynrd and Warren Zevon: he has little musical talent, but then proudly pushes himself as a complete dirtbag, in an attempt to connect with the "masses."
You're exactly right about the difference between Farm Aid and Kid Schlock.
Kid Rock ain't a legit talent like Eminem. I agree with Hyden in that Kid plays a fun clown role singing songs about weed, booze and chicks, and,not much more (a lot like the Nuge, when you think about it, except Nuge could shred in the day).
DeleteSeger is in a similar vein, although he's more about everyday life reflections ("Night Moves" being a great example) over politics. But it's definitely honest and heartfelt.