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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:31:28 PM EDT
I'm 38, so, I don't have a huge exposure to his music other than, "Werewolves Of London".
I was in the gym dodgeing 300 lb soccer moms slurping lattes this morning and, sandwiched between "Three Miles High" and, "What's Your Name (Little Girl)" was a song that had a pretty good beat, and, I was totally getting into it. It made me stop and listen to the lyrics. It had me up towards the end, and, then, I got pissed off I wasted two minutes of my life listening to this steaming POS.  Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner Roland was a warrior from the Land of the Midnight Sun With a Thompson gun for hire, fighting to be done The deal was made in Denmark on a dark and stormy day So he set out for Biafra to join the bloody fray Through sixty-six and seven they fought the Congo war Fingers on their triggers, knee-deep in gore For days and nights they battled the Bantu to their knees They killed to earn their living and to help out the Congolese Roland the Thompson gunner... His comrades fought beside him - Van Owen and the rest But of all the Thompson gunners Roland was the best So the CIA decided they wanted Roland dead That son-of-a-bitch Van Owen blew off Roland's head Roland the headless Thompson gunner (Time, time, time For another peaceful war Norway's bravest son But time stands still for Roland 'Til he evens up the score) They can still see his headless body stalking through the night In the muzzle flash of Roland's Thompson gun In the muzzle flash of Roland's Thompson gun Roland searched the continent for the man who'd done him in He found him in Mombassa in a barroom drinking gin Roland aimed his Thompson gun - he didn't say a word But he blew Van Owen's body from there to Johannesburg Roland the headless Thompson gunner... The eternal Thompson gunner, still wandering through the night Now it's ten years later but he still keeps up the fight In Ireland, in Lebanon, in Palestine and Berkeley Patty Hearst heard the burst of Roland's Thompson gun And bought it |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:33:38 PM EDT
[#1]
what's the problem?
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:33:46 PM EDT
[#2]
Drugs are bad. M-kay?
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:37:05 PM EDT
[#3]
Now it's ten years later but he still keeps up the fight In Ireland, in Lebanon, in Palestine and Berkeley Patty Hearst heard the burst of Roland's Thompson gun |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:37:16 PM EDT
[#4]
da dada da
da dada da da dada da Bring Lawyers, Guns and Money.... The shit has hit the fan 
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:38:13 PM EDT
[#5]
I don't understand the problem, either. Great song, great lyrics. Do you understand what it's about?
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:38:18 PM EDT
[#6]
Well, it's Zevon whineing about the merceneries fighting in Africa (we know how well it went for the countries they were in after they lost, right?) So, then, the CIA trys to whack him, so he whacks the guy that set him up, getting killed in the process. Now, the spirit of this fictional "Roland" is leading the struggle in Ireland (IRA) Palistne (PLO) and, BERKLEY! for f's sakes. Nice mention of praise of Patty Hurst at the end I guess I'm the only one that thinks praiseing terrorists is a bad idea. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:40:02 PM EDT
[#7]
Yeah, I do. I don't think diefying terrorist organizations and bank robbers is a good thing. Things've gone real well in the Congo since the mercs left, haven't they? |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:40:14 PM EDT
[#8]
I'm not sure if I take this song literally. I think it is more a shot at warmongers like those mentioned above, but I could be wrong. I mean, is her really praising this Roland charector, or is it a sort of tonge in cheek type thing and he is really mocking him? I don't know. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:40:29 PM EDT
[#9]
Dude!
And "Jungle Work"!
And "Lawyers, Guns and Money"!
"Roland" mixes and matches bits of 3 or 4 African wars (Katanga, Biafra, and others) and isn't good history (but its a good tune). I always took the last verse to mean Roland's spirt is fighting in Ireland (for who? the IRA or the UVA?); in Lebanon during their civil war (again, for the PLO or the Phalangists or the South Lebanese Army?); in "Palestine" (because it flows better than Isreal in the tune - and for who? The PLO or the Isrealis?) - but as a "shooter" and not for whatever "cause". When I really looked at it in the 1980s, I decided that I took Warren's reference to Berkley and Patty Hearst as Patty Hearst buying into the whole bullshit SLA 'revolution' crap when it was just a criminal gang with chicks the thugs got to fuck, just as Roland bought the "cause" he was manipulated and betrayed in. Typical 1980s :mercenary" / 'soldier of fortune' thinking actually. Everything since Katanga had wound up being a betrayal and ass-raping of the idealistic by the paymaster (Bay of Pigs, Biafara, The Comoros, Rhodesia-Zimbabwe, Angola, Samoza's Nicaragua, etc.). Its in exactly the same vein as The Dogs of War or the movie alledgedly based on it "The Wild Geese". |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:40:50 PM EDT
[#10]
Is it remotely possible that you are reading WAY too much into this?
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:41:06 PM EDT
[#11]
Thanks. I was beginning to think I was the only one that got that.
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:41:48 PM EDT
[#12]
I don't think he is exactly praising terrorists.
He has a facination for guns in his music however. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:42:15 PM EDT
[#13]
Nope. You're not. But why be shocked by the lyrics of a hippie?
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:43:38 PM EDT
[#14]
You are free to believe that if you so choose, and, I'm sure everyone has thier interpretation. I'm pretty much not down with the PLO, or the IRA, and I don't care for songs that would glorify them, or put them on the side of right. That's how I read it. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:46:17 PM EDT
[#15]
I had no idea it was Warren Zevon until it was over. First time I'd heard it. No, I'm not shocked. I thought it might wind up being a song praiseing the Selous Scouts, RLI, SAS, or some such in thier loseing effort that has spawned that craphole of a country that is exterminateing white farmers. Boy, howdy was I wrong. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:47:27 PM EDT
[#16]
HELLO! Its a ghost story!
You might as well condemn him for glorifying psycho killers in exitable boy or suggesting that werewolves can walk around and socialize with regular people in Werewolves of London. Where's the damn rolleyes smiley when you need it? |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:48:18 PM EDT
[#17]
I don't get the impression that the song is "whiney" or that it "glorifies" anybody. It's just a song about mercenaries. Don't read too much into it. I mean, do you take "Werewolves of London" so much to heart?
Heard "Exciteable Boy", by the way? |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:48:41 PM EDT
[#18]
The eternal Thompson gunner, still wandering through the night Now it's ten years later but he still keeps up the fight In Ireland, in Lebanon, in Palestine and Berkeley Patty Hearst heard the burst of Roland's Thompson gun And bought it What's your interpretation of that verse? |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:52:48 PM EDT
[#19]
Yes, you are wrong. He isn't glorifying anything. He's telling a story. Get a grip. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:53:35 PM EDT
[#20]
That's your interpreatation, and, I think you are wrong. If you want to hit me with the dreaded rolleyes, that's fine. I couldn't care less. I actually researched through a few different sources on the song, and, the collective opinion was that it was A- About a fictional Mercenary from Norway. B- Gets backstabbed by the CIA. C- Gets killed seeking revenge. The eternal Thompson gunner, still wandering through the night Now it's ten years later but he still keeps up the fight In Ireland, in Lebanon, in Palestine and Berkeley Patty Hearst heard the burst of Roland's Thompson gun And bought it The last verse says all I need to hear about the intent of the song. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:54:05 PM EDT
[#21]
OK, step away from the IPOD with your hands up
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:54:37 PM EDT
[#22]
He's using music to tell a story, like ichabod crane. I have his greatest hits cd, and I've heard that song countless times. It's nothing more than story telling, not political activism or pushing a point of view. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:55:29 PM EDT
[#23]
My grip's fine. I get what he's talking about. If you think it's a good song, that's fine. I don't. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:56:34 PM EDT
[#24]
You have to take the song for the context of the time in which it was written. Hearst, the IRA and PLO were ALL big news in the mid to late 70s when he wrote the song. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:59:00 PM EDT
[#25]
You don't really get what he's talking about. He's telling a story of a headless thompson gunner that wanders the land. If he's making any statement, it's only in the last line,where patty hurst 'bought it' (i.e., she was caught up in the glory of these groups and decided to become one of them). There is no pro or con angle to the lyrics regarding the groups he incidentally writes about. The main purpose is to tell the story of roland, the headless thompson gunner. The rest is just atmosphere. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 1:59:40 PM EDT
[#26]
I'm aware of that. Hey, I give up. If people can't see the blatant anti-US sentiment in this song, well, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:00:20 PM EDT
[#27]
We can't see what only exists in your own head. Sheesh. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:02:12 PM EDT
[#28]
Who's that??? (yes before my time or at least before I was 5) |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:05:30 PM EDT
[#29]
Patty Hearst. Millionairess turned bank robberette. I figgure ya can Google the rest 
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:06:52 PM EDT
[#30]
Pull yourself together, dude, its a song about a Norwegian mercenarie's ghost. He wrote about werewolves in London, too - is that anti-Bulgarian? 
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:09:16 PM EDT
[#31]
it's a song from 1976, get over it. mmk
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:09:29 PM EDT
[#32]
Wow.
You're an asshat of the sort that would burn books and outlaw bad thoughts. You're going to need to wipe egg off your face a bit as well. See, its well known that most of the lyrics in Rolland were inked by Zevon's friend David Lindell, who actually was, as Warren describes him, "a piratical ex-merc" who had actually done some mercenary work. So even if your fanatical paranoid rant about the lyrics were deserving of more consideration, the reality is that your focus on Zevon is pretty dum. Fuck's sake, its just a song. Plus, you clearly know nada about Zevon's very vast catalog or you would see the irony in expressing surprise about the guy's music. you're surprised that Warran Zevon had some anaracic tones in his music? No shit?! |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:09:46 PM EDT
[#33]
No, it's pro-occult. See for yourself! www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=422053 |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:11:51 PM EDT
[#34]
As I said, if you can't see it, I'm obviously unable to show it to you to your satisfaction, and, that's fine. You are entitled to your opinion. I realize that it is part a ghost story. No, WWoL isn't anti-British. I would never claim that it was because nothing in the lyrics would indicate it was. I'm perfectly willing to let this thread die, as, I'm obviously not going to be able to convince people that think otherwise of what I can clearly, IMO, see. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:12:25 PM EDT
[#35]
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:13:12 PM EDT
[#36]
I have a two-disk Warren Zevon set, and in the booklet it has pictures of him target shooting. That alone outweighs any stupid pro-terrorist message you might have interpreted in this song. He was a very intelligent individual, and like everyone else was entitled to an opinion. R.I.P.
ETA - I think we should execute that fucker for treason. Supporting terrorists and all... |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:16:12 PM EDT
[#37]
LOL.... but he's shooting with Hunter S. Thompson, the Gonzo guy himself! Look: Warren and Hunter were some fucking weirdos, but I still think this thread is amusing just for the insane focus on the GASP! supposed theoretical political leanings expressed in a ghost story song by a guy who really didn't get popular acclaim until he died, and as to a song that 99% of people have never heard! If folks want to complain about lyrics, get ahold of Al Gore's wife, she's got some old files on Ozzy Osborne. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:17:14 PM EDT
[#38]
Since the thread drawing attention to the pro-occult leanings of warren zevon was locked, here's the song where he glorifies werewolves!
I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand Walking through the streets of Soho in the rain He was looking for the place called Lee Ho Fook's Going to get a big dish of beef chow mein Werewolves of London If you hear him howling around your kitchen door Better not let him in Little old lady got mutilated late last night Werewolves of London again Werewolves of London He's the hairy handed gent who ran amuck in Kent Lately he's been overheard in Mayfair Better stay away from him He'll rip your lungs out, Jim I'd like to meet his tailor Werewolves of London Well, I saw Lon Chaney walking with the Queen Doing the werewolves of London I saw Lon Chaney, Jr. walking with the Queen Doing the werewolves of London I saw a werewolf drinking a pina colada at Trader Vic's His hair was perfect Werewolves of London again Draw blood |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:18:09 PM EDT
[#39]
When I was a Company Commander about to give up command, I didn't want the traditional military music, so I made my own soundtrack. "Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner" was one of the songs on that. I also used to do "Jungle Work" as a running cadence.
I heartily disagree with you that Warren Zevon was an asshat. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:18:12 PM EDT
[#40]
here he's glorifying rape and murder:
Well, he went down to dinner in his Sunday best Excitable boy, they all said And he rubbed the pot roast all over his chest Excitable boy, they all said He took in the four a.m. show at the Clark Excitable boy, they all said And he bit the usherette's leg in the dark Excitable boy, they all said Well, he's just an excitable boy He took little Suzie to the Junior Prom Excitable boy, they all said And he raped her and killed her, then he took her home Excitable boy, they all said Well, he's just an excitable boy After ten long years they let him out of the home Excitable boy, they all said And he dug up her grave and built a cage with her bones Excitable boy, they all said Well, he's just an excitable boy |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:18:46 PM EDT
[#41]
Wow, such a small mind.
Literature, music, poetry, all don't necessarily have to have an agenda. Sometime they simply report on events, or take a particular point of view and examine it through literary license and device. Sometimes, the author takes on the point of view of someone with whom he disagrees in order to flesh out an idea or argument, or to provide criticism. and sometimes, all of those at once. I have no idea what Zevon intended, but it's a catchy song that seems to be subject to interpretation, which I would call a success as far as authorship goes. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:19:59 PM EDT
[#42]
I'm not sure where you get the "book burning", etc, from. I guess it's just a need you have to demonize me, which is fine. Everyone is entitled to thier opinions, and, thier freedom of expression, just as I have the right not to like,or agree with it. Your personal insults of me aside, I don't care who penned the lyrics. Zevon performed the song, hence, I attribute it to him. If you took the time to read the origional post, I did claim ignorance of much of Zevon's music. That said, I think if it's dismissed as "just a song" then, every other song must also be dismissed as so, regardless of lyrics, which, I don't think is right. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:20:59 PM EDT
[#43]
For the second time. Could you please stop trolling my thread? |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:24:01 PM EDT
[#44]
Well Goon you dont have to worry about Zevon making any more pro-terrorist songs. He died what was surely a very painful death from cancer last year.
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:24:35 PM EDT
[#45]
I happen to agree with the highlighted statement. And, it's clear that many others do to, which is fine. Just becasue I think one way, or don't approve of a particular piece, doesn't mean others have to agree with me. My interpretation of this song is pretty clear, in my mind, but, obviously, you don't have to agree with me. I set forth an opinion, and, if you want to counterpoint with me, that's fine. As far as the "small mind" comment goes, I guess that's for everyone who doesn't agree with you? Hello, pot? This is kettle. You're black. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:25:31 PM EDT
[#46]
I guess you just need to demonize warron zevon. Here's the funny thing: Today's the first time you've heard the song, so you did a little research, and all of a sudden you're an expert on it. People who have listened to it for years don't know what they're talking about, but you, having heard it JUST TODAY are all clued in as to the real meaning of the song. That's abso-freaking-lutely hilarious. It's like someone who has never read the bill of rights until today coming here and telling everyone that the 2nd amendment only applies to the national guard. Maybe the drubbing you're taking from EVERYONE else on this thread should convince you that you just might be wrong in your interpretation. Of course, you're probably just going to dig in further. Why stop digging when you already have the shovel, eh? |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:27:41 PM EDT
[#47]
I'm aware of that. Many artists I both like and don't like are either dead, or alive, but, thier presence on earth doesn't effect my criticizm of them. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:28:51 PM EDT
[#48]
That's so fucking bad-ass. |
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:29:32 PM EDT
[#49]
If you Go Here
You will find a reason to blame him for absolutely ANYTHING YOU WANT! This guy is so all over the map it aint funny. This guy could be tha new Chuck Norris!
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Posted: 12/27/2005 2:32:10 PM EDT
[#50]
"Poor, Poor Pitiful Me"
(Warren Zevon) I'd lay my head on the railroad tracks And wait for the Double "E" But the railroad don't run no more Poor, poor pitiful me Poor, poor pitiful me Poor, poor pitiful me These young girls won't let me be Lord have mercy on me Woe is me OH MY GOD! Warren Zevon is glorifying SUICIDE! |
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