Just as listening to "1999" after the year 1999 sort of devalues the meaning and spirit of the song, I believe the post-President Obama world may not get the true meaning of "Dear Mr. Man".

Anyone agree?

When I first heard "1999" in 1983 it was EXCITING! 1999 seemed so far away that it may never actually come.

"Dear Mr. Man" kind of has undertones of racial inequalities, with "Mr. Man" being the caucasian-led government.

Generations from now, after "Mr. Man" is no longer necessarily "caucasian", will young listeners really grasp the true intent behind the song?

A young person listening to "1999" now hears the context of the song as a time in the past, when the song was really written about seeing into the FUTURE.

Thoughts?
[Edited 11/6/08 22:20pm]

Though I definitely see where you're coming from, I feel I should point out that the song 1999 is less about the literal year 1999, and more about a half Biblical/half Princey-styled mythos of the Apocalypse.

Dear Mr Man sounds hopelessly outdated now. it did before, but now?
[Edited 11/7/08 1:36am]

It's 2008, wake up!

What makes you think Obama won't fuck things up just like all other politicians?

meow85 said:

agreed

"Dear Mr. Man," is colorless...The world's conditions are realized, especially by the people that reach the cheif executive office.

Let's face one thing...America is only one country...There is a World that hasn't fed the world.

NouveauDance said:

I AGREE with You 100%!

I 100% AGREE!

I did not vote for Obama because I do not share the same beliefs as he NOR policies. If he didn't win I believe that a majority of the people would have called America racist for not voting an African American into the White House but think for just ONE moment...how many people did vote for him regardless of his "questionable" policies, factual Senate voting record, associations, judgment and qualifications just because of race/skin color.

There were too many people that had no idea what he stood for or who he really is but didn't care...they wanted the 1st African American as President instead. BUT, is he the "right" African American to be in office?

Time will most defiantly tell very soon. He sold the public a GRAND whopper...95% Tax cuts = welfare checks, ending the war very soon and also "CHANGE".

Change is coming...but is it what the people really believed he promised? I have a strong feeling that the liberal biased media that helped get him in office will soon turn on him....for he IS NOT the Messiah.

For now, as an American I will extend my support for him. I do want him to succeed.

PRAYER is what this country needs for him. We all need to be on the side of GOD.

We ALL need to be UNITED and we don't need Obama to be the one how does it.

"All The GLITTERS, Ain't GOLD"

TikiColadas said:

Dear GOD no! Sure, please support Obama, but the country does not and should not be on the side of God. Keep God out of politics, please! Look at all these third world countries at war because their "god" is on their side. If every government acts based on a particular "god" we will never stop fighting.

Dear Mr Man has the same meaning it did when it came out...just because (and I do support Obama) we have a new Prez does not chg that we all still struggle with the basic needs....I personally think Housing/Healthcare (holistic)/and Education should be free....PERIOD!

Completely off topic, but on listening to Obama's promises of change (and though not American, I am rooting for this guy) did anyone else have brought to mind Aaron Eckhart's speech as Harvey Dent in The Dark Knight about "a new dawn coming"?

Or am I just a lame-ass dork?

meow85 said:

Well, maybe not a lame-ass dork. But your dorkdom is quite likely.

ElCapitan said:

Will someone kindly explain "Dear Mr. Man". I always thought the song was about George Bush/Wars/9/11 etc. Pls, clarify.