User talk:Wrp103/Cockburn

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Difficult to Categorize

Cockburn's music is difficult to fit into a single category. Likewise, it is difficult to identify any single reason for his popularity. Humans [3] is an e-mail list that discusses his work and various aspects of his life.[1] This group has a diverse membership,[2] and can seldom reach a consensus about why people like Cockburn, nor can they agree on which album or song represents his best work.[3]

Some of the aspects of Cockburn's work that fans mention include:

  • Christian themes
Since Cockburn became a Christian, many of his songs contain Christian and spiritual references, although many are abstract or oblique references.[4]
With the Christian themes of his songs, Cockburn was initially embraced by the
Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) industry in the USA, with his albums available for sale in Christian bookstores in that country. But with the USA release of his album World of Wonders, which included the tracks "If I Had A Rocket Launcher", "Nicaragua" (which were on the earlier album Stealing Fire, but not the USA release) and "Call It Democracy", all of which were critical of both USA and multinational economic and political involvement in Central America (compounded by the use of "the 'F' word" in the lyrics of "Call It Democracy"), Cockburn found himself harshly criticized by the same Christian organizations that embraced him, one of which openly called his music an "endorsement of Godless communists".[4]
Around the time when the religious right (composed of fundamental christians) was gaining political power in the U.S., Cockburn wrote the song "Gospel of Bondage". When introducing Gospel of Bondage at concerts, he would often make comments like "I'm a Christian, but not one of those," and "Christianity has nothing to do with a strong nuclear defense."[5] The song contains the lyrics "But God must be on the side of the side that's right / And not the right that justifies itself in terms of might / Least of all a bunch of neo-nazis running hooded through the night / Which may be why He's so consipicuously out of sight / Of the gospel of bondage".
It is interesting to note that although Cockburn professes to be a Christian and includes Christian references in his lyrics, there are a number of Buddhists on his e-mail list humans that consider many of his lyrics Buddhist in nature.[6]
  • Political Themes
Cockburn frequently addresses political issues in both his songs as well as when introducing such songs during concerts.[7] It is not uncommon for one or more humanitarian charitable organizations with a display in the lobby of a venue on the night of his concert. In some cases this is with Cockburn's permission, but at other times it is a requirement to the venue.[8]
Although Cockburn frequently opposes wars and military actions, he is not really a
pacifist, as hinted at in his song "If I Had a Rocket Launcher".[9] He also collects knives and guns and enjoys shooting.[10]
This trend has continued up through his most recent release, Life Short Call Now, which contains charged political songs such as "Tell the Universe", "This Is Baghdad" and "Slow Down Fast".[11]
  • Complex and Intellectual Poetry
Cockburn's lyrics tend to contain complex ideas, and seldom contains the "fluff" that often appears in pop songs. (How many songs do you know of that contain the phrase "thousand year old petroglyph"?)[12] College papers, including a PhD dissertation, discuss his lyrics, and college courses have used Cockburn's lyrics for various social situations.[2]
  • Explicit and Suggestive Lyrics
Although Cockburn is a Christian, he doesn't shy away from using explicit lyrics, either in songs nor in stage patter or interviews.[13] In addition to expletives,[14] some songs contain lyrics suggestive of the sex act.[15]

Notes

  1. ^ Humans is one of the oldest e-mail list devoted to a specific musician, although it has gone through a number of incarnations, starting off on private servers before eventually moving to yahoo-groups.
  2. ^ a b In December 1991, a binder containing printout of the discussions from the humans group was presented to Cockburn by Bill Pringle, a member of the humans group with the following cover letter:

    Dear Bruce:
    My name is Bill Pringle. I am a member of an electronic mailing list (bulletin board), called humans, that is dedicated to you and your work. This book contains some of the messages that we have been sending around the globe. We are connected via Usenet, a world wide network of computers.
    Some of us are Christians; some are not. Some of us are musicians; some are not. Some are from colleges and universities; some are from corporations; some are from military institutions. What we do have in common, however, is an appreciation for you: your poetry, your songs, and most of all your dedication to the betterment of humanity.
    In the pages that follow you will see transcriptions of interviews you have given, words and music of your songs, lists of your albums, and other information about you. You will also find opinions and lively discussions over the meanings behind your songs. There is even a college class lecture on South American politics that uses your songs to illustrate major points!
    You have been a great influence to a lot of people. This is evident from the pages that follow. I would like to thank you for your work and the example that you set.

    Pringle continued to provide updates to Cockburn until the list was moved to yahoo groups, at which time he (actually, his people) could follow the discussions.

  3. ^ At one point, a poll was taken for the top 10 best and worst albums that he made. One album was on both lists.
  4. ^ For example, in "Creation Dream", God is pictured dancing and singing while creating the universe, with sparks flying from his body. HIs song "All the Diamonds" contains the lines: "2,000 years and half a world away / dying things still grow greener when you pray."
  5. ^ Such comments appear often within the humans list, but can also be found at the Cockburn Project web site [[1].
  6. ^ At least one was surprised to find out that Cockburn was a Christian, since she assumed he was Buddhist from his lyrics.
  7. OXFAM. See [2]
    for more information.
  8. ^ Cockburn was very active promoting a ban on landmines, and would frequently insist that a booth be located in the lobby. As of 2006, a series of photographs of Cockburn are for sale where the proceeds go to charitable organizations.
  9. ^ This song contains a number of possible actions the singer would take if he had a rocket launcher. Cockburn doesn't condone violence, but he recognizes the reason that some people resort to violence.
  10. ^ His song "Great Big Love" contains the lines: I ride and I shoot and I play guitar / And I like my life just fine / If you try to take one of these things from me / Then you're no friend of mine.
  11. ^ His album "Dart to the Heart," however contained more love songs than political songs, which was atypical for Cockburn.
  12. ^ From the song "Wondering Where the Lions Are," which made it into the top 40 in the US.
  13. ^ During a live broadcast of "Christmas with Cockburn" for Columbia, Cockburn made the comment: "If they don't like it, f**k them." Apparently he was unaware that the word was not permitted on US broadcasts.
  14. ^ The song "Call It Democracy" contains the "F" word, and several songs contain the words p*ss", "sh*t", etc.
  15. ^ The song "The Charity of Night" contains the lines: Tongue slides over soft skin / Love pounds in veins brains buzzing balls of lust / Fingers twine in wet hair / Limbs twist and roll"
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