We – Kristopher Zgorski, Dru Ann Love, and I are at it again and this time we are highlighting some of our favorite songs that focus on
the criminal elements, as we all know that, what’s a mystery without a crime. Thanks to Krisopher who came up with this idea.
the criminal elements, as we all know that, what’s a mystery without a crime. Thanks to Krisopher who came up with this idea.
And, thanks to Kristopher, who wrote today’s post here. Please visit Kristopher and Dru Ann’s sites to see the other guest posts.
When Dru Ann, Lesa, and I decided
that our next Triple post was going to be about crime in music, I set out
making a long list from which to choose the songs I would cover. This turned
out to be quite a long list – as dichotomous as song and crime might seem,
there is a long tradition of linking the two and I am happy that the three of
us decided to cover this topic.
that our next Triple post was going to be about crime in music, I set out
making a long list from which to choose the songs I would cover. This turned
out to be quite a long list – as dichotomous as song and crime might seem,
there is a long tradition of linking the two and I am happy that the three of
us decided to cover this topic.
As I began to narrow down my long
list to the chosen five, I noticed that I was gravitating towards songs that
focused on the victims rather than the crimes or criminals themselves. This is
not unlike what draws me in the novels I read, so this didn’t come as a
surprise. Similarly, each of the songs focuses on a disenfranchised minority
caught up in events beyond their control. These were voices struggling to be
heard and now here we are can listen to them in music and lyrics.
list to the chosen five, I noticed that I was gravitating towards songs that
focused on the victims rather than the crimes or criminals themselves. This is
not unlike what draws me in the novels I read, so this didn’t come as a
surprise. Similarly, each of the songs focuses on a disenfranchised minority
caught up in events beyond their control. These were voices struggling to be
heard and now here we are can listen to them in music and lyrics.
Finally, before we get to my
choices, I want to point out that three of my choices are songs written by the
performer and almost exclusively associated with that individual. One of the
others is closely associated with the artist who wrote it, but in my case, I
chose a cover version. The final song chosen is an adaptation of a poem and has
been recorded to great success by a vast number of performers, though I doubt
anyone will question the version I choose to include.
choices, I want to point out that three of my choices are songs written by the
performer and almost exclusively associated with that individual. One of the
others is closely associated with the artist who wrote it, but in my case, I
chose a cover version. The final song chosen is an adaptation of a poem and has
been recorded to great success by a vast number of performers, though I doubt
anyone will question the version I choose to include.
And so…Songs of Crime:
Reba McEntire – Fancy
Written and first performed by
Bobbie Gentry, “Fancy” first came to my attention with it was recorded by Reba
McEntire in 1990, so that is the version I include here. “Fancy” is the story of an eighteen-year-old
girl who is pushed into prostitution by her struggling mother. With no more
advice than “just be nice to the gentlemen, Fancy, and they’ll be nice to you,”
Fancy enters a world she knows nothing about.
Bobbie Gentry, “Fancy” first came to my attention with it was recorded by Reba
McEntire in 1990, so that is the version I include here. “Fancy” is the story of an eighteen-year-old
girl who is pushed into prostitution by her struggling mother. With no more
advice than “just be nice to the gentlemen, Fancy, and they’ll be nice to you,”
Fancy enters a world she knows nothing about.
For me, the power of the song
comes from the fact that Fancy does not let this event define her. She manages
to find a way to make this hardship work for her and rises above her lot in
life. Is there a more powerful statement of affirmation than:
comes from the fact that Fancy does not let this event define her. She manages
to find a way to make this hardship work for her and rises above her lot in
life. Is there a more powerful statement of affirmation than:
“I
might have been born just plain white-trash, but Fancy was my name!”
might have been born just plain white-trash, but Fancy was my name!”
In this song, there is no doubt
that Fancy is the victim, but she never allows society to victimize her. She
never blames her mother for being in a situation where this was the only
option. Regardless of her life situation, Fancy is the role-model we want for
young girls – one who is proud of herself and stands up to a society that
continually tries to push her down.
that Fancy is the victim, but she never allows society to victimize her. She
never blames her mother for being in a situation where this was the only
option. Regardless of her life situation, Fancy is the role-model we want for
young girls – one who is proud of herself and stands up to a society that
continually tries to push her down.
Fancy on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zplc4Ienkws
Bob Dylan – Hurricane
“Hurricane,” as written and
performed by Bob Dylan, is about as close to a novel in song as one is likely
to find. Dylan tells the story of Rubin Carter – who he believed was wrongfully
convicted of a crime simply because he was black. Through much controversy and
multiple legal actions, Dylan was able to get his song heard and the people
listened. Eventually, Carter was granted
a new trial and was ultimately released. That folks, is the power of song! You
really have to listen to the song to hear the poetry that Dylan is such a
master of. What is ironic is that while this song came out in 1975, lyrics like
the following could just as easily reflect the issues society is facing today:
performed by Bob Dylan, is about as close to a novel in song as one is likely
to find. Dylan tells the story of Rubin Carter – who he believed was wrongfully
convicted of a crime simply because he was black. Through much controversy and
multiple legal actions, Dylan was able to get his song heard and the people
listened. Eventually, Carter was granted
a new trial and was ultimately released. That folks, is the power of song! You
really have to listen to the song to hear the poetry that Dylan is such a
master of. What is ironic is that while this song came out in 1975, lyrics like
the following could just as easily reflect the issues society is facing today:
“In
Paterson that’s just the way things go.
Paterson that’s just the way things go.
If
you’re black, you might as well not show up on the street
you’re black, you might as well not show up on the street
‘less
you want to draw the heat.”
you want to draw the heat.”
Simply, change Paterson to
Baltimore or Ferguson and alter the details of the crime, and you might have
yourself a new protest song.
Baltimore or Ferguson and alter the details of the crime, and you might have
yourself a new protest song.
Hurricane on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FvI6ZX0yNjM
Tori Amos – Me and a Gun
Think about the confidence and
nerve it must have taken for Tori Amos to include “Me and a Gun” on her first
solo album. A stark, acapella song
detailing the night of terror she faced years earlier, “Me and a Gun” documents
her own rape in a way that is angry, yet redemptive. Few of us – though still
far too many – know what it would be like to face that kind of violation. Who
knows what we would be thinking during that moment, but when Tori tells
listeners “I haven’t seen Barbados, so I must get out of this,” it rings
completely authentic in a way that only putting it in a song could have. She
then goes on to attack the culture of victim-blaming which still exists today:
nerve it must have taken for Tori Amos to include “Me and a Gun” on her first
solo album. A stark, acapella song
detailing the night of terror she faced years earlier, “Me and a Gun” documents
her own rape in a way that is angry, yet redemptive. Few of us – though still
far too many – know what it would be like to face that kind of violation. Who
knows what we would be thinking during that moment, but when Tori tells
listeners “I haven’t seen Barbados, so I must get out of this,” it rings
completely authentic in a way that only putting it in a song could have. She
then goes on to attack the culture of victim-blaming which still exists today:
“Yes,
I wore a slinky red thing.
I wore a slinky red thing.
Does
that mean I should spread
that mean I should spread
For
you, your friends, your father – Mr. Ed?”
you, your friends, your father – Mr. Ed?”
This powerful
declaration is an example of a young woman who knows that she is fighting an
uphill battle but still cannot stand by and allow herself and others like her
to be made to feel as though they did something wrong, while the real villains
are allowed to continue perpetrating their crimes.
declaration is an example of a young woman who knows that she is fighting an
uphill battle but still cannot stand by and allow herself and others like her
to be made to feel as though they did something wrong, while the real villains
are allowed to continue perpetrating their crimes.
Melissa Etheridge – Scarecrow
This is probably the most obscure
song on my list. “Scarecrow” was never a single and while Melissa does still
regularly include it in her concert setlists, probably only her most devoted
fans are familiar with it. Melissa wrote
“Scarecrow” as a tribute to Matthew Shepard and the horrible ordeal he faced.
Hopefully, everyone remembers that Matthew was a victim of a hate crime – beaten
and tied to a split rail fence in Laramie, WY by a pair of homophobic thugs
with nothing better to do after a night of excessive drinking.
song on my list. “Scarecrow” was never a single and while Melissa does still
regularly include it in her concert setlists, probably only her most devoted
fans are familiar with it. Melissa wrote
“Scarecrow” as a tribute to Matthew Shepard and the horrible ordeal he faced.
Hopefully, everyone remembers that Matthew was a victim of a hate crime – beaten
and tied to a split rail fence in Laramie, WY by a pair of homophobic thugs
with nothing better to do after a night of excessive drinking.
By the time the song reaches the
chorus, I am always in tears:
chorus, I am always in tears:
“Scarecrow
crying, waiting to die, wondering why.
crying, waiting to die, wondering why.
Scarecrow
trying – Angels will hold and carry your soul away.”
trying – Angels will hold and carry your soul away.”
Having traveled to Laramie myself
to view the location of this tragedy, the image of the scarecrow silhouetted on
the skyline will always rip my heart out.
That was my way of paying tribute to Matthew’s sacrifice and this song
is Melissa Etheridge’s way. As the song
says towards the end: “I can forgive,
but I will not forget.”
to view the location of this tragedy, the image of the scarecrow silhouetted on
the skyline will always rip my heart out.
That was my way of paying tribute to Matthew’s sacrifice and this song
is Melissa Etheridge’s way. As the song
says towards the end: “I can forgive,
but I will not forget.”
Scarecrow on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JwJqJP-VgGA
Billie Holliday – Strange Fruit
“Southern trees bear strange
fruit” is one of the most chilling opening lines of any song in history.
Adapted from a poem by Abel Meeropol, “Strange Fruit” is a cry against racism
and the practice of lynching in particular. A relatively short song, the bluesy
arrangement virtually makes the listener feel the stifling heat and the
struggle for just one more breath. Though it has been covered by many artists,
I don’t think anyone will ever come close to the Billie Holliday rendition.
This is mainly because she herself was a victim of the rampant racism in our
country. Her voice conveys that hurt and humiliation in ways that are
indescribable. It is pointless for me to say more, all you have to do is
listen.
fruit” is one of the most chilling opening lines of any song in history.
Adapted from a poem by Abel Meeropol, “Strange Fruit” is a cry against racism
and the practice of lynching in particular. A relatively short song, the bluesy
arrangement virtually makes the listener feel the stifling heat and the
struggle for just one more breath. Though it has been covered by many artists,
I don’t think anyone will ever come close to the Billie Holliday rendition.
This is mainly because she herself was a victim of the rampant racism in our
country. Her voice conveys that hurt and humiliation in ways that are
indescribable. It is pointless for me to say more, all you have to do is
listen.
Strange Fruit on YouTube: https://youtu.be/h4ZyuULy9zs
What is disheartening in looking
at these songs is that in many ways, the more things change, the more they stay
the same. The victims in these songs are in no way unique and we as a society
owe it to them to hear their voices and the voices of those like them.
at these songs is that in many ways, the more things change, the more they stay
the same. The victims in these songs are in no way unique and we as a society
owe it to them to hear their voices and the voices of those like them.
Please stop by Kristopher’s website, BOLO Books where Dru Ann is the guest writer discussing Crime and Music, with her five picks. I’m the guest blogger at Dru’s Book Musings, so please drop over there as well. Tell us what you think, or let us know if you have a favorite song about crime.
It just so happens that Reba, Melissa and Billie are regulars on my playlist – loved this! Y'all are too clever for words and I'm enjoying your Triple Time posts.
I love these! And have loved Hurricane for many years. Thanks for the theme.
Some good choices there (though I must admit Kristopher's do not do it for me the way the other two do, other than "Strange Fruit"). I'd pick:
Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash)
Mama Tried (Merle Haggard)
Long Black Veil (The Band version)
Riot in Cell Block #9 (The Robins)
I Fought the Law (Bobby Fuller Four)
How can you go wrong with a song that states, "But I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die"?
Love your selections.
What a great post and theme! I prefer The Chieftains' version of 'Long Black Veil' (I think there's one with Mick Jagger?) and another that comes to mind is 'I Shot The Sheriff'. Then there's Joan Baez's cover of 'Down By The Banks of the Ohio', and one of my greatest favourites – though is it about a crime or not? – Bobbie Gentry's wonderful 'Ode to Billie Joe'.
Rosemary
It's so much fun to see everyone else's selections. I debated about Folsom Prison Blues, Jeff. I just like Ling Black Veil. And, I love Mama Tried. There is a YouTube video of Johnny Cash and Joan Baez singing Long Black Veil.
You, Kris and Dru have always been music to my ears!
Happy Holidays, my love.
Jeff
Thank you, Jeff. Hugs, and Happy Holidays to you!
Lesa
Interesting topic. Loved reading this post and also listening to these songs once again.