New topic
Printable
|
YES it is a double meaning: Not in the RED as it not in dept, and not in the red as in not living under communism. It is a pro-American and patriotic song. Even if it points out some of the bad things going on. Even if some people are living in a "one room jungle monkey cage" it is better to live like that than under communism. "Keep on shilling for Big Pharm!" |
- E-mail - orgNote -  Report post to moderator |
geetee71 said: When I was younger I always thought that 'America' had an amount of irony about it - much the same as Springsteen's 'Born In The USA'.
However, during a recent listen it appeared to me to be a fairly crude and naive paean to the greatness of America's anti-communist ways. The messages I get from it now are: - The US government should support the rights of the wealthy to keep on amassing increasing fortunes. - Those who are poor and almost dead should just be happy that at least they aren't living in Russia. - If Jimmy Nothing, and others like him, aren't rabidly loyal to America then that will be the slippery slope to 3rd world war and annihilation. To say I was disappointed at this realisation is an understatement. Obviously the songs are of their time and the early to mid-80s was filled with a sense that global destruction was just around the corner. However, at least in 'Ronnie, Talk To Russia' which, although showing a similar political naivety, was open to a dialogue on the matter to resolve things, rather than sticking rigidly to the 'them and us' mentality shown a few years later in 'America'.  This is true - Although in Ronnie Talk 2 Russia, he does say "before they blow up the world" - As if it's the Russians who would be doing it (how ironic!) | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
REDFEATHERS said: L4OATheOriginal said: like how i c u? ..in that red ....   well, if you like..  u know i do  man, he has such an amazing body of music that it's sad to see him constrict it down to the basics. he's too talented for the lineup he's doing. estelle 81 | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
the key words in the 2nd verse where it's clearly about finance is "minimum wage" man, he has such an amazing body of music that it's sad to see him constrict it down to the basics. he's too talented for the lineup he's doing. estelle 81 | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
|
L4OATheOriginal said: the key words in the 2nd verse where it's clearly about finance is "minimum wage"
what about the line about communism? "Keep on shilling for Big Pharm!" |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Genesia said: Paris9748430 said: Being in the red means being in debt.
Being in the black means she's making a profit. The line means she's just making enough money to get by. No, it doesn't. Red is a euphemism for communism. The line is a play on words. It means, "She may be poor (not in the black), but at least she isn't living under communism (in the red)." [Edited 3/6/08 11:17am] That is how I always interpreted it. Stand Up! Everybody, this is your life!
https://www.facebook.com/...pope2the9s follow me on twitter @thepope2the9s | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
L4OATheOriginal said: the key words in the 2nd verse where it's clearly about finance is "minimum wage"
The key is the title of the song America....remember this was written back in the 80's when Russia was the El Queada of that time.. Stand Up! Everybody, this is your life!
https://www.facebook.com/...pope2the9s follow me on twitter @thepope2the9s | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
|
thepope2the9s said: That is how I always interpreted it. it is a little bit of both. Those that said it was a stupid line, seem to ignore the fact that we are discussing it. But again, the line is for both communism and dept. The line works both ways. One literal one in reference to the line about "communism is just a word." "Keep on shilling for Big Pharm!" |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
OnlyNDaUsa said: L4OATheOriginal said: the key words in the 2nd verse where it's clearly about finance is "minimum wage"
what about the line about communism? that in the 1st verse only 3rd verse is about something else man, he has such an amazing body of music that it's sad to see him constrict it down to the basics. he's too talented for the lineup he's doing. estelle 81 | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
thepope2the9s said: L4OATheOriginal said: the key words in the 2nd verse where it's clearly about finance is "minimum wage"
The key is the title of the song America....remember this was written back in the 80's when Russia was the El Queada of that time.. true but it was also about famine and the outbreak of the homeless in america. and poverty has always been a reality of low income families man, he has such an amazing body of music that it's sad to see him constrict it down to the basics. he's too talented for the lineup he's doing. estelle 81 | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
L4OATheOriginal said: the key words in the 2nd verse where it's clearly about finance is "minimum wage"
Thank you!  | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
The song is titled "America".
Obviously, the line is referring to communism. Remember, Prince wrote this in 1984 - the Cold War (and communism) were alive and well back then. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Dayclear said: L4OATheOriginal said: the key words in the 2nd verse where it's clearly about finance is "minimum wage"
Thank you!  "Sheeeeeeeeit" | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
RodeoSchro said: The song is titled "America".
Obviously, the line is referring to communism. thats what I always thought too but he does say in the red not in red so I'm thinkin it has a double meaning To Sir, with Love | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
L4OATheOriginal said: PEJ said: he says - - -
Little sister making minimum wage Living in a 1-room jungle-monkey cage Cant get over, shes almost dead She may not be in the black But shes happy she aint in the RED Does the reference to the color RED have anything to do with communism? no it's a financial account of being in the black (making a profit) and being in the red (financial loss) ding ding ding! yep | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Paris9748430 said: Being in the red means being in debt.
Being in the black means she's making a profit. The line means she's just making enough money to get by. yes | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
|
I think it's communism "better dead than red" |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
yeah.. in the middle. I can see it being interpreted as what the listener feels at 1st hear. follow the leader follow the leader | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I agree that it's a reference to not being in debt. I do not believe the reference to communism has anyting to do with Russia.
 | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Don't you mean "mo' poor?" LOL
Genesia said: Paris9748430 said: Being in the red means being in debt.
Being in the black means she's making a profit. The line means she's just making enough money to get by. No, it doesn't. Red is a euphemism for communism. The line is a play on words. It means, "She may be poor (not in the black), but at least she isn't living under communism (in the red)." [Edited 3/6/08 11:17am] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I wanna know, how many people listened to this song since the thread started "was i the first, was i your every fantasy" | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
jonty1975 said: I wanna know, how many people listened to this song since the thread started
I haven't yet. I just read the lyrics cuz I always wondered if my interpretation was wrong. To Sir, with Love | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |