Brooks and Dunn - Only in America [Week 3: Country]

Alright. Here is Brooks and Dunn with Only in America. I saw this in concert, and cheered along, loud as the rest, when they had a member of each branch of the armed forces come on stage in uniform. When this comes on the radio, I sing along and think about how much I like the 4th of July, too. Is it reality? Not really.

Only in America
Dreaming in red, white and blue
Only in America
Where we dream as big as we want to
We all get a chance
Everybody gets to dance
Only in America

After that, America may seem like all sunshine and roses for a minute or two. Isn't it nice? It doesn't bring to mind any of the real, unavoidable, hard-hitting issues. It doesn't call anyone to action. I can hardly believe this song makes most people think about the word "politics" at all. As a protest song, it would be basically useless.

But someone has to point out the good left in our country. Standing alone, I would agree that this song does little to better the country. At most it may re-kindle some dwindling patriotism. But this is not the only song in the world, nor the only one about America. This summer our class has watched and read and listened to example after example of political music, and I don't think it would be a stretched to say it is more negetive than positive. Maybe it is human nature to focus on the flaws, and maybe we do have to be reminded of the issues before we will work for change - but we also need to remember why we care in the first place. Somewhere someone needed to sing about all the good things in America so that we don't all lose hope and give up. Last class I made the comment that those who were educated enough about the issues also knew enough to keep their distance from the messy political scene. I think it comes to a point where the attitudes expressed in songs like this one are the driving force that keeps the fighters in the fight.