Tomorrow, the 19th, would've been the birthday of one of classic rock's best guitarists, Alvin Lee. And his song, "I'd Love to Change the World," from his band Ten Days After, is one of my all-time favorite songs. It's a brilliant song because it perfectly captures the confusion of political ideology, and the ultimate lack of courage in many of those activists who call for change. Though the song came out in 1971, at the height of the Vietnam War, its message is just as applicable today. Here are the lyrics:
Everywhere is freaks and hairies
Dykes and fairies, tell me where is sanity
Tax the rich, feed the poor
'Til there are no rich no more?
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
Population keeps on breeding
Nation bleeding, still more feeding economy
Life is funny, skies are sunny
Bees make honey, who needs money, Monopoly
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
World pollution, there's no solution
Institution, electrocution
Just black and white, rich or poor
Them and us, stop the war
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
The song bounces back and forth from views commonly held on the right and those on the left. But all of the messages are platitudes, common complaints that seem to have lost significance. When each side simply argues the same points over and over, pretty soon everybody stops listening. But the best part of the song is the chorus, which starts with the optimism of youth. As reality of how complicated our world is starts to set in, and how it can't be solved by trite slogans, the powerful final line drives home the ultimate point: most activists want other people to do the work for them. The lack of conviction, to take the first step and show leadership for social changes, is the hardest part. And it's where most idealistic young protesters end up--chanting meaningless cliches, but not really doing anything.
It's a brilliant song with a super-sweet chord progression and an addictive melody, and it deserves recognition as Alvin Lee's best work and one of the greatest rock songs in history. It's also a great example of the literary quality of well structured songs. Take a listen, and I dare you not to start bouncing your head. Enjoy!
Everywhere is freaks and hairies
Dykes and fairies, tell me where is sanity
Tax the rich, feed the poor
'Til there are no rich no more?
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
Population keeps on breeding
Nation bleeding, still more feeding economy
Life is funny, skies are sunny
Bees make honey, who needs money, Monopoly
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
World pollution, there's no solution
Institution, electrocution
Just black and white, rich or poor
Them and us, stop the war
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
The song bounces back and forth from views commonly held on the right and those on the left. But all of the messages are platitudes, common complaints that seem to have lost significance. When each side simply argues the same points over and over, pretty soon everybody stops listening. But the best part of the song is the chorus, which starts with the optimism of youth. As reality of how complicated our world is starts to set in, and how it can't be solved by trite slogans, the powerful final line drives home the ultimate point: most activists want other people to do the work for them. The lack of conviction, to take the first step and show leadership for social changes, is the hardest part. And it's where most idealistic young protesters end up--chanting meaningless cliches, but not really doing anything.
It's a brilliant song with a super-sweet chord progression and an addictive melody, and it deserves recognition as Alvin Lee's best work and one of the greatest rock songs in history. It's also a great example of the literary quality of well structured songs. Take a listen, and I dare you not to start bouncing your head. Enjoy!