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darkstar

(5,831 posts)
Sat Jul 11, 2026, 04:07 AM 8 hrs ago

The Rolling Stones have a new record out with a wistful song on it about the current state of things in the USA


[Verse 1]
Well, I was madly in love with you
Before we ever met
I saw all your movies
I smoked your cigarettes
I drove down your highway
To the mountain top
I spent all my money
Putting quarters in your old jukebox

[Chorus]
It's ringing hollow
It's ringing deep
It's ringing loud
And there's always a scoundrel
Trying to whip up the crowd
What do you think about that?
The clocks never gonna turn back
Lady Liberty don't look so good
When she's wearing a frown

[Verse 2]
And I wandered the cities
And I hit all the bars
I drove through the suburbs
And I lounged in the malls
Let the dreamers get the dream they want
My favorite joke
So pass around the fenty
Pass around the coke

[Chorus]
It's ringing hollow
It's ringing deep
It's ringing loud
And there's always a king
Trying to pick up the crown
But what do you think about that?
They took away the welcome mat
Lady Liberty don't look so good
When there's a tear in her gown

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 3]
And I drove through the desert
With the dust in my face
And I lived outside of Dallas
Rundown shack of a place
I was handcuffed and arrested
It don't make no sense
Went up to the White House
Shook hands with the president

[Chorus]
Well, it's ringing hollow
It's ringing deep
It's ringing loud
When voices are stifled
I wanna scream out loud
Liberty's not looking too well
She's got another crack in her bell
Lady Liberty don't look so good
When she's wearing a scowl
What do you think about that?
What do you think about that?
There's no turning back
Buy me a brand new hat


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11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The Rolling Stones have a new record out with a wistful song on it about the current state of things in the USA (Original Post) darkstar 8 hrs ago OP
Take that Mr. Trump hookaleft 8 hrs ago #1
I am, as they say, gobsmacked. Probably zero effect on the RWNJs but still pretty awesome. FadedMullet 8 hrs ago #2
Went to White House, shook hands with the president? (trumpass) jimmy the one 6 hrs ago #3
It is a tad incoherent. Susan Calvin 6 hrs ago #5
The Stones have always been a bit incoherent. zanana1 5 hrs ago #6
This seemed like one of their moments of coherence? kentuck 1 hr ago #8
I think it's a comparison of the Kennedy era and Dump's living hell. Talitha 1 hr ago #9
Good interpretation, I hope you are right jimmy the one 50 min ago #11
Goddamn. Susan Calvin 6 hrs ago #4
Dupe bif 3 hrs ago #7
Just thought - Mick Jagger handed the mic to President Obama so he could sing 'Sweet Home Chicago'. Talitha 1 hr ago #10

jimmy the one

(2,870 posts)
3. Went to White House, shook hands with the president? (trumpass)
Sat Jul 11, 2026, 06:20 AM
6 hrs ago

... after being arrested? Do not understand, no comprendo, conjecture anyone?
Song is too implicit as well, gaslighting it seems as to diluted criticism.
Bruce Springsteen song Minneapolis much more critical and SPOT ON.

Susan Calvin

(2,491 posts)
5. It is a tad incoherent.
Sat Jul 11, 2026, 06:26 AM
6 hrs ago

But it's a good song as a song, and their heart seems to be in the right place.

Talitha

(8,277 posts)
9. I think it's a comparison of the Kennedy era and Dump's living hell.
Sat Jul 11, 2026, 11:40 AM
1 hr ago

Maybe there's a break in time between the verses.

And I lived outside of Dallas
Rundown shack of a place

The fact that Dallas is mentioned suggests to me the Kennedy era.
Went up to the White House
Shook hands with the president

I think this is an afterthought - even though the singer was dirt poor, they were still welcomed to shake hands with Kennedy.

"I was handcuffed and arrested
It don't make no sense"

Same singer, decades later in a different era and administration. Of course "It don't make no sense" ... but here we are.

Not sure this is right, but it's my take on it.

jimmy the one

(2,870 posts)
11. Good interpretation, I hope you are right
Sat Jul 11, 2026, 12:09 PM
50 min ago

That would make more sense if shaking hands with Kennedy; .. and in context, is within reason - rolling stones version of reason.
Mick might be serenading me now with 'get offa my cloud' if he were to read this.

Susan Calvin

(2,491 posts)
4. Goddamn.
Sat Jul 11, 2026, 06:25 AM
6 hrs ago

I'm on the floor. That really hit this Boomer hard. When I think about what they were singing to my generation 60 years ago and the mess this country and the kids are in now.

Talitha

(8,277 posts)
10. Just thought - Mick Jagger handed the mic to President Obama so he could sing 'Sweet Home Chicago'.
Sat Jul 11, 2026, 11:46 AM
1 hr ago

And now Mick sings this scathing kick in the teeth about Dump.

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