CHRIS CORNELL DISCUSSES THE GOVERNMENT AND MINDLESS POP MUSIC BEING MADE DESPITE ‘EVERYTHING BEING SO F***ED UP’
Here are a couple of quotes from ElPais.com‘s recent interview with Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell. A few of the words might be off since this is coming from a Spanish to English translation.
“We wonder how it is that everything is so fucked up and pop is just talking about going to clubs and flirting.”
“In Soundgarden I have always tried to avoid explicitly political lyrics, but there are metaphors. For example ‘Halfway There,’ on a more social level, talks about how corporations and governments have led us to where we are. I think about what will happen 40 years after I’m dead. What will happen to my children? And I see no expert, neither academic nor political, saying anything but: ‘we do not know how terrible it will be the evil that is coming, but it will arrive. Spain and Greece know this very well.”
This comment isn’t relating to the topic of the article but I wonder if Chris Cornell ever gets mistakes for Jesus when he looks like that?
He has returned!
It looks like even Chris Cornell himself has forgot about ‘Scream’ – his own half-assed attempt at pop music. Love the guy, but his credibility took a bit of a hit on that one…
Cornell and Corgan do agree on this one I suppose!
Dale, obviously you missed the point. ‘Scream’ may have been “pop” music, but for the most part, the lyrics were not about going to the club and getting fucked up like he said in this article.
RIF.
Soundgarden’s frontman talks about World.
Geesh, now “Halfway There” is supposed to be some deep ass social / political commentary? Cornell is the only one who gets that, I suppose.
Regarding pop music being so mindless, all I have to say is: “That Bitch Ain’t A Part Of Me!!!”
I have to agree with Chris here. Singing about going to clubs has its place, but there aren’t a lot of bands with relevant social commentary. I like metaphorical lyrics better than straight to the point lyrics a lot of times. They push you to figure it out for yourself. Seattle bands were known for crashing the hair band scene focus on fast cars and chicks. Rush and Rage Against the Machine have always had a lot of great social commentary. What new bands are known for that? I can’t think of any off the top of my head, but I am sure there have got to a few anyway.
Some lyrics, even metaphorical, are obvious. But I like when they can be interpreted in a personal way as well. Where you get where they’re coming from, but apply them to something that you relate to, or an opinion or observation that the lyrics make think of. Some lyricists like people to interpret a song that way, hence the use of a lot of generalized metaphor. Whereas songs that they want to be flat out obvious about getting their point across are a little more bold and less cryptic.
Thats my Lord Cornell!
Its funny how he talks about how things are so screwed up, but supports Obama?!? He should have been at Ron Paul/Gary Johnson rallies if he really cared. I see a lot of hypocrisy in this statement. Mindless Pop= Scream….Obama/Romney = fascism, which is what he is talking about.
I do wonder why all these songs about going to the club are so popular in both pop and rap music, etc. Do that many people really go clubbing that songs about it have become the most prevalent? I’ve never been to a club in my life, nor do I desire to go to one. Are there really that many people that can afford that lifestyle either? The whole thing quite baffles me.
Mike, I agree regarding Obama. The way Cornell talks here, I have no clue why he supports Obama.
Mark I agree regarding the actual songs on Scream. The video to ‘Part of Me’ on the other hand…
“Seattle bands were known for crashing the hair band scene focus on fast cars and chicks.”
There is a cool way to do that line of lyrical/ song subject matter, though I completely agree the 80′s hair bands did it in cheesiest ways possible, and thank god they are all gone. Take Fu Manchu’s approach to cars, hot rods & girls. THAT is an example of how to do it classic, cool & timeless.
Yeah, it’s best not to put too much politics in the lyrics but sprinkling in some strange thoughts with fantasy too, and something different is what I do and also enjoy in songs by the best grunge bands and progressive rock bands. Mix in lots of weird thinking and that keeps the attention of listeners who can’t figure out the lyrics of the songs.
Lately (and this is my criticism of pop songs on the radio) I’ve been hearing several songs with some of the same words and maybe there’s some inside joke I’m not getting.
I agree with the bit about the lack of angry rock bands with substance today but….this is a bit rich coming from a guy who supported the enemy (obama’s big ass gov) and who get paid Over $1 MILLION dollars per show (thats $50,000 per song)!!!!!! Chris dude you are the fucking corporation!!!! oh god the the irony is fucking killing me…rich white people bitching about other rich white people who lost a few trillion acting like rich white people while claiming not be rich white people and then supporting a guy whos friggen black but is like rich white people. oh my.
Fuckin’ A… Rebelfighter101, you are a complete, stupid fucking ass. Would you listen to yourself?
“A guy who supported the enemy”? Whose enemy? Yours fuckass? How is that exactly?
Your argument is childish and the asshole spewings of someone glued to Fox News on a 24/7 cycle, worshipping at the alter of Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh. You’re a fucking child. Let me ask you this- and this goes for you TOO Brett with your own comments- how exactly has the Obama administration personally had a negative impact on your life? How has your OWN life been marginalized or made worse by Barack Obama’s social and/ or economic policies? This I think we’d all like to hear. From any of you who thought everything would have been just keen and hunky dorry neato if Romney were now running things instead.
Cunt. Most of the super rich backed Romney you cunt. And that had absolutely NOTHING to do with right, wrong, the good of the country, the people, NONE of that. Was only so they could weasel-out of paying their appropriate share of income taxes. Fuck you.
“Big ass government” as you call it by the way ensures the upholding of the social contract the government owes its people who elected them. To maintain all the social programs we have fought for over 100 years. Your ancestors you asshole. Not to have it all stripped and destroyed so we can all “fend for ourselves, fuck everyone but me, I’m gonna get what’s mine and fuck all the rest.” Yeah, that’s totally the way to live. You conservo-Bible-backward-no education fuck.
Look at this way if your asshole still stings- this country had put up with, suffer, endure, and barely live through 8 years of George “chimp face” Bush Jr. EIGHT long years that pushed us into the abyss. You fucking bet we need two-terms of Obama as an antidote to that insanity. Glad to have it. Even if you don’t like it- eat it. Eat a dick. He still won a 2nd term. You can voice your gripes into your toilet bowl. Eat your own shit.
Fucking A right @Back at you! Chris Cornell is a democrat! Endorses Obama , believes in what Obama stands for, Is a liberal person in his values no matter how much money he has made. So Suck it!
To clarify, I agree with “back at you”s post!
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