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Sound Opinions, being the scholarly work it is, has provided footnotes to help you navigate through the show's vast maze of musical knowledge.

Because, let's face it—sometimes even we have no idea what the heck Jim and Greg are talking about.
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07-04-08 Footnotes
Show 136: Songs About America

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1 First up in the news this week is the federal court ruling against RMG Technologies. Tickemaster accused the software company of selling software that floods their web site, preventing other customers from securing tickets. A judge ordered RMG to pay the ticketing giants $18 million dollars and banned them from further activity, but Jim and Greg are sure that there’s another software designer just waiting in the wings to pick up with the “scalping” where RMG left off.

2 Guns ‘N’ Roses fans haven’t heard a peep since 1991’s Use Your Illusion II, but now parts of the highly anticipated new album Chinese Democracy have leaked. But, Axl Rose doesn’t seem so happy about it. His label not only ordered the leaker to cease and desist, but he worked with the F.B.I. to seek him out and question him. That leaker, known as Skwerl, describes the agents as Mulder and Scully types, and Jim and Greg wonder why they don’t have anything better to do. They think Axl would be better off spending less time and money on alienating listeners and more on making music.

3 Sound Opinions celebrates Independence Day this week with Jim and Greg’s favorite Songs about America. These are great rock songs that capture our country’s spirit—the good, the bad and the ugly.

Jim
Bob Marley, “Buffalo Soldier
MC5, “Back in the U.S.A.
Talking Heads, “The Big Country
Robyn Hitchcock, “America

Greg
Chuck Berry, “Promised Land
Sam Cooke, “A Change is Gonna Come
Randy Newman, “Sail Away
Public Enemy, “Fight the Power

4 Some Sound Opinions listeners also chimed in with their favorite American-themed songs. Here are their nominations:

Jen from Brooklyn, NY Simon & Garfunkel, “America
Jim from Exton, PA Drive-By-Truckers, “Sink Hole
Paco from San Juan, PR James Brown, “Living in America

Songs Featured in Show #136
Cheap Trick, “Ballad of T.V. Violence,” Cheap Trick, 1977
Miley Cyrus, “7 Things,” Breakout, 2008
Guns ‘N’ Roses, “Chinese Democracy,” 2008
Devo, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!, 1978
Jimi Hendrix, "Star Spangled Banner," Woodstock I, 1970
Bob Marley, "Buffalo Soldier," Confrontation, 1983
Chuck Berry, "Promised Land," Reelin' & Rockin', 1959
Blur, "Magic America," Parklife, 1994
Woody Guthrie, "This Land is Your Land," This Land is Your Land, 1967
MC-5, "Back in the USA," Back in the USA, 1970
Sam Cooke, "A Change is Gonna Come," Ain't That Good News, 1964
Simon & Garfunkel, “America,” Bookends, 1968
Drive-by-Truckers, “Sink Hole,” Decoration Day, 2003
The Talking Heads, "The Big Country," More Songs About Buildings and Food, 1978
Neil Diamond, "America," The Jazz Singer, 1980
James Brown, “Living in America,” Rocky IV, 1985
Randy Newman, "Sail Away," Sail Away, 1972
Robyn Hitchcock, "America," Gotta Let This Hen Out!, 1985
Public Enemy, "Fight the Power," Do The Right Thing, 1988
Estelle, "American Boy," Shine, 2008
Rhymefest, “Thriller Skit” and “Get Up,” Man in the Mirror, 2008
Lupe Fiasco, “Kick Push,” Food and Liquor, 2006
My Morning Jacket, “Highly Suspicious,” Evil Urges, 2008


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