Love Me, I'm a Liberal

"Love Me, I'm a Liberal"
Song by Phil Ochs
from the album Phil Ochs in Concert
Published1965
Released1966
GenreTopical song, folk
Length4:33
LabelElektra
Songwriter(s)Phil Ochs
Producer(s)Jac Holzman and Mark Abramson

"Love Me, I'm a Liberal" is a satirical political song by Phil Ochs, an American singer-songwriter. Originally released on his 1966 live album, Phil Ochs in Concert, "Love Me, I'm a Liberal" was soon one of Ochs's most popular concert staples.[1]

Introducing the song on the live album, Ochs said:

In every American community there are varying shades of political opinion. One of the shadiest of these is the liberals. An outspoken group on many subjects, ten degrees to the left of center in good times, ten degrees to the right of center if it affects them personally. Here, then, is a lesson in safe logic.[2]

"Love Me, I'm a Liberal" is sung from the perspective of an American liberal. In the first verse, the singer laments the assassinations of Medgar Evers and President John F. Kennedy, but says Malcolm X got what he deserved. Each verse ends with the refrain, "So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal."[3] In the song's other verses, the singer says he supports the Civil Rights Movement and "love[s] Puerto Ricans and Negros as long as they don't move next door",[4] but adds that if somebody suggests busing the singer's children to integrate their schools, he "hope[s] the cops take down [their] name".[5] In the final verse, the narrator reveals that he used to be like the listener:[5]

Sure, once I was young and impulsive; I wore every conceivable pin,
Even went to Socialist meetings, learned all the old Union hymns.
Ah, but I've grown older and wiser, and that's why I'm turning you in.
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal.[3]

According to Ochs' biographer Michael Schumacher, "Love Me, I'm a Liberal" would evoke "a strange mixture of laughter, from nervous tittering from those who recognized themselves in Phil's indictment, to open roars of approval from the radical factions in the audience."[6] Eric Alterman describes "Love Me, I'm a Liberal" as "a scorching indictment of liberal cowardice by a bitter adversary, not the good-natured ribbing one might expect from an affectionate ally".[7]

In 2018, Billy Bragg wrote of "Love Me, I'm a Liberal": "As with all such finely honed topical songs, the cultural references have dated somewhat. However, Ochs's description of a liberal as someone whose politics are '10 degrees to the left of centre in good times, 10 degrees to the right of centre if it affects them personally' still resonates today."[8]

Cover versions

Several cover versions of "Love Me, I'm a Liberal" have been recorded, almost always with updated lyrics. Performers include Jello Biafra and Mojo Nixon,[9] Kevin Devine,[10] Gerd Schinkel,[11] Evan Greer,[12] John Yannis,[13] Nacho Vegas [es],[14] Oscar Brand, Carly Cosgrove and Chris T-T.[15]

References

  1. ^ Schumacher, Michael (1996). There But for Fortune: The Life of Phil Ochs. New York: Hyperion. p. 116. ISBN 978-0-7868-6084-5.
  2. ^ Mershon, Phil (September 2001). "Phil Ochs". Perfect Sound Forever. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Ochs, Phil (1978). The Complete Phil Ochs. Hollywood, Calif.: Almo Publications. pp. 84–85. ISBN 978-0-89705-010-4.
  4. ^ Marqusee, Mike (2005) [2003]. Wicked Messenger: Bob Dylan and the 1960s. New York: Seven Stories Press. p. 110. ISBN 978-1-58322-686-5.
  5. ^ a b Rossinow, Doug (2008). Visions of Progress: The Left-Liberal Tradition in America. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 246. ISBN 978-0-8122-4049-8.
  6. ^ Schumacher, p. 100.
  7. ^ Alterman, Eric (2008). Why We're Liberals: A Political Handbook for Post-Bush America. New York: Viking. p. 41. ISBN 978-1-101-20290-6.
  8. ^ Bragg, Billy (February 2018). "Free Radicals: 5 Crucial Phil Ochs Cuts". Mojo. p. 60.
  9. ^ Cohen, David (1999). Phil Ochs: A Bio-Bibliography. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press. p. 274. ISBN 978-0-313-31029-4.
  10. ^ Gaston, Peter (September 18, 2008). "Exclusive: Download Two Kevin Devine Songs". Spin. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
  11. ^ Cohen, p. 288.
  12. ^ Greer, Evan. "Love Me, I'm a Liberal (2003)". Riot-Folk. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  13. ^ Cohen, p. 293.
  14. ^ Herrero, Javier (December 17, 2015). "Nacho Vegas reivindica el populismo en la música en su nuevo disco". EFE. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  15. ^ "Chris T-T New Album '9 Green Songs' Out 3 June 2016". Xtra Mile Recordings. April 6, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2016.

Read other articles:

Kejatuhan Phnom Penh

Kejatuhan Phnom PenhBagian dari Perang Saudara Kamboja dan Perang VietnamPandangan pengintaian udara dari Jembatan Monivong, Phnom Penh 17 April 1975Tanggal17 April 1975LokasiPhnom Penh, KambojaHasil Kemenangan Khmer Merah Akhir dari Perang Saudara Kamboja Jatuhnya Republik Khmer Pembentukan Kamboja Demokratik Dimulainya genosida KambojaPihak terlibat Khmer Merah Republik KhmerDidukung oleh : Amerika SerikatTokoh dan pemimpin Pol Pot Sak SutsakhanKorban Tidak diketahui Tidak diketah...

 

Plastic wrap

Thin plastic film used for sealing food This article is about a plastic layer used for short-term preservation of domestic foods. For a plastic wrap often used in bulk packaging, see Shrink wrap and Stretch wrap. A roll of plastic wrap Plastic wrap, cling film, Saran wrap, cling wrap, Glad wrap or food wrap is a thin plastic film typically used for sealing food items in containers to keep them fresh over a longer period of time. Plastic wrap, typically sold on rolls in boxes with a cutting ed...

 

100 Women (BBC)

100 WomenStatusAktifFrekuensiTahunanTahun aktif7 per 2019Acara pertama22 Oktober 2013 (2013-10-22)Terakhir diadakanOktober 2019 (2019-10)Situs web100 Women 100 Women adalah serial multi-format BBC yang dibentuk pada tahun 2013. Serial ini menampilkan peran perempuan pada abad ke-21 dan melibatkan beberapa kegiatan yang berlangsung di London[1] dan di Meksiko.[2][3] Hal ini menjadi awal musim perempuan BBC (BBC's women season) yang berlangsung selama tiga pek...

Ilan Halevi

Artikel ini sebatang kara, artinya tidak ada artikel lain yang memiliki pranala balik ke halaman ini.Bantulah menambah pranala ke artikel ini dari artikel yang berhubungan atau coba peralatan pencari pranala.Tag ini diberikan pada November 2022. Ilan HaleviLahirGeorges Alain Albert(1943-10-12)12 Oktober 1943Lyon, PrancisMeninggal10 Juli 2013(2013-07-10) (umur 69)Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, PrancisKebangsaanPrancis,Israel (sejak 1965)Nama lainAlain Albert; Alan Albert; Georges Levin[...

 

Vinylogy

Transmission of electronic effects through a system of conjugated chemical bonds Delocalization of negative charge in a generic carboxylate anion, derived from an organic carboxylic acid (cf. acetic acid), and the corresponding vinylogous carboxylate anion (the vinylog/vinylogue of the carboxylate anion), where a vinyl group now separates the charged oxygen from the carbonyl (C=O) group. The validity of the theoretical concept of vinylogy is supported by the pKa of such vinylogs, which approa...

 

حريق مستشفى ابن الخطيب

حريق مستشفى ابن الخطيب المعلومات البلد العراق  الموقع مستشفى ابن الخطيب،  وبغداد  الإحداثيات 33°13′28″N 44°30′41″E / 33.2244814°N 44.5113352°E / 33.2244814; 44.5113352 التاريخ 24 أبريل 2021 نوع الهجوم حريق الدافع انفجار أسطوانة أكسجين الخسائر الوفيات 82 الإصابات 110 تعديل مصدري - تع�...

The Goodbye Girl

The Goodbye GirlPromotional film poster for The Goodbye Girl.SutradaraHerbert RossProduserRay StarkRoger M. RothsteinDitulis olehNeil SimonPemeranRichard DreyfussMarsha MasonQuinn CummingsPaul BenedictPenata musikDave GrusinSinematograferDavid M. WalshPenyuntingJohn F. BurnettDistributorMGM, Warner Bros. Pictures, Rastar PicturesTanggal rilis1 Februari 1977 (Australia)Durasi111 minBahasaInggris, JepangIMDbInformasi di IMDb The Goodbye Girl merupakan salah satu film Amerika Serikat karya...

 

Noureddine Naybet

Noureddine Naybet Naybet pada tahun 2019Informasi pribadiTanggal lahir 10 Februari 1970 (umur 54)Tempat lahir Casablanca, MarokoTinggi 1,86 m (6 ft 1 in)Posisi bermain Bek tengahKarier senior*Tahun Tim Tampil (Gol)1989–1993 Wydad Casablanca 85 (4)1993–1994 Nantes 34 (1)1994–1996 Sporting CP 64 (5)1996–2004 Deportivo La Coruña 211 (11)2004–2006 Tottenham Hotspur 30 (1)Total 424 (22)Tim nasional1990–2006 Maroko 115 (4) * Penampilan dan gol di klub senior hanya ...

 

Winnie-the-Screwed

Mint Mobile advertisement Winnie-the-ScrewedThe cover of the fictional book from the commercialBased onWinnie-the-Poohby A. A. MilneNarrated byRyan ReynoldsRelease dateJanuary 2, 2022Running time1 minute 29 secondsCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglish Winnie-the-Screwed is a 2022 online advertisement published by Ryan Reynolds to promote the telecommunications company Mint Mobile, which he partially owned. It is a parody of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne, and was created to commemorate the book...

Unione Sportiva Fossanese 1950-1951

Questa voce sull'argomento stagioni delle società calcistiche italiane è solo un abbozzo. Contribuisci a migliorarla secondo le convenzioni di Wikipedia. Segui i suggerimenti del progetto di riferimento. Voce principale: Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica Fossano Calcio. Unione Sportiva FossaneseStagione 1950-1951Sport calcio SquadraFossano Calcio Allenatore Manfredo Ardizzone Presidente Carlo Rigat Serie C14º posto nel girone A. 1949-1950 1951-1952 Si invita a seguire il modello ...

 

Cilician Gates

Pass through the Taurus Mountains Cilician GatesGülek BoğazıGülek PassElevation1,050 m (3,445 ft)[1]Traversed by O-21 / E90LocationMersin Province, TurkeyRangeTaurus MountainsCoordinates37°17′07″N 34°47′10″E / 37.28528°N 34.78611°E / 37.28528; 34.78611Cilician Gates The Cilician Gates or Gülek Pass is a pass through the Taurus Mountains connecting the low plains of Cilicia to the Anatolian Plateau, by way of the narrow gorge of the Gökolu...

 

علي حيدر باشا

علي حيدر باشا معلومات شخصية تاريخ الميلاد أبريل 1866   تاريخ الوفاة 12 مايو 1935 (69 سنة) مواطنة الدولة العثمانية مصر  مناصب وزير المالية   في المنصب18 أغسطس 1879  – 21 سبتمبر 1879  وزير المالية   في المنصب14 سبتمبر 1881  – 4 فبراير 1882  وزير المالية   في المنصب21 أغسطس 188...

History of Rome

For other uses, see History of Rome (disambiguation). Historical states Roman Kingdom 753–509 BCRoman Republic 509–27 BCRoman Empire 27 BC – 395 ADWestern Roman Empire 286–476Kingdom of Italy 476–493Ostrogothic Kingdom 493–536 Eastern Roman Empire 536–546Ostrogothic Kingdom 546–547 Eastern Roman Empire 547–549Ostrogothic Kingdom 549–552 Eastern Roman Empire 552–751Kingdom of the Lombards 751–756 Papal States 756–1798 Roman Republic 1798–1799 Papal S...

 

Шаблон:Мифология

МифологияРитуально-мифологическийкомплекс Система ценностей Сакральное Миф Мономиф Теория основного мифа Ритуал Обряд Праздник Жречество Мифологическое сознание Магическое мышление Низшая мифология Модель мира Цикличность Сотворение мира Мировое яйцо Мифическое �...

 

Ираклеониты

Ираклеониты — ученики гностика Ираклеона (II век). Упоминаются как особая секта Епифанием и Августином; при крещении и миропомазании они соблюдали обряд помазания елеем и при этом произносили воззвания на арамейском языке, которые должны были освободить душу от власт�...

Bill Scott (pengisi suara)

Untuk orang lain dengan nama yang sama, lihat William Scott. Bill ScottScott memegang salah satu gambarnya, 1962.LahirWilliam John Scott(1920-08-02)2 Agustus 1920Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaASMeninggal29 November 1985(1985-11-29) (umur 65)Tujunga, Los Angeles, CaliforniaSebab meninggalSerangan jantungPekerjaanPengisi suara, penulis, produserTahun aktif1945-1985Suami/istriDorothy Scott(m. 1943–1985; kematiannya)Anak3 William John Scott (2 Agustus 1920 – 29 Novemb...

 

Conference League 2003-2004

Conference League2003-2004Nationwide Conference 2003-2004 Competizione Conference League Sport Calcio Edizione 25ª Luogo  Inghilterra Galles Partecipanti 22 Formula girone all'italiana+play-off Risultati Vincitore Chester City(1º titolo) Altre promozioni Shrewsbury Town (dopo play off) Retrocessioni Margate Statistiche Miglior marcatore Daryl Clare (29) Incontri disputati 462 Gol segnati 1 343 (2,91 per incontro) Pubblico 880 110 (1 905 per incontro) Cron...

 

1948 anti-Jewish riots in Tripolitania

1948 Tripolitania riotsPart of Spillover of the 1947–1948 civil war in Mandatory PalestineDowntown Tripoli, 1940'sDate12 June 1948LocationTripoli, British Tripolitania32°54′8″N 13°11′9″E / 32.90222°N 13.18583°E / 32.90222; 13.18583Caused byDisputes over United Nations Partition Plan for PalestineMethodsRioting, melee attacksParties Antisemitic rioters Libyan Jews Casualties and losses 4-30 killed51 injured 13–14 killed38 injured Part of a series onJewi...

Pinuccio Sciola

Questa voce o sezione sull'argomento scultori italiani non cita le fonti necessarie o quelle presenti sono insufficienti. Puoi migliorare questa voce aggiungendo citazioni da fonti attendibili secondo le linee guida sull'uso delle fonti. Segui i suggerimenti del progetto di riferimento. Pinuccio Sciola Giuseppe Sciola, conosciuto come Pinuccio (San Sperate, 15 marzo 1942 – Cagliari, 13 maggio 2016[1]), è stato uno scultore italiano. Era conosciuto per la sua attività nella p...

 

فترة مصرية انتقالية ثالثة

فترة مصرية انتقالية ثالثة 1069 ق.م – 664 ق.م عاصمة تانيس (1069 ق.م - 945 ق.م) الأسرة الحادية والعشرون طيبة (945 ق.م - 720 ق.م) الأسرة الثانية والعشرون إهناسيا (837 ق.م - 728 ق.م) الأسرة الثالثة والعشرون سايس (732 ق.م - 720 ق.م) الأسرة الرابعة والعشرون نبتة (732 ق.م - 664 ق.م) الأسرة الخامسة والعشرون ن�...