There is an alternate version although it is unclear if this is just another studio take or a demo and the song of unknown provenance is simply entitled Apathy; while the regular release of the song Apathy 83 emerged on Hunter's second solo album. The number 83 has no obvious reference.
With accordion and congas Hunter captured aspects of Dylan's work but he makes it his own by describing the decline of rock 'n' roll to give way to the music of the young and the sickly sound of greed. There are several intriguing aspects of the lyrics in this song and as typical on the album release Ian is making profound social observations. Most importantly is Ian's observation that the music business was declining drastically replaced by coke and corporates. In several verses he states that there is "no rock 'n' roll no more just the music of the youth," "greed," and "rich."
In 1976, the music industry was dominated by a few major record labels such as CBS, RCA, and Warner Communications. The industry was highly centralized, with record labels controlling most aspects of the business. This meant that artists had little bargaining power when it came to contracts and royalties. Touring allowed artists to promote their albums and connect with fans while generating revenue from ticket sales and merchandise. However, touring was also expensive, with artists often paying for their own travel and accommodations.
With the title, Hunter makes an off hand reference to "Sympathy for the Devil" by The Rolling Stones. "Sympathy" is a track from The Rolling Stones' 1968 album "Beggars Banquet." The song is known for its controversial lyrics that depict the devil's role in various historical events, including the crucifixion of Jesus and the Russian Revolution. The song's percussion section, featuring congas and bongos, is particularly notable and creates a driving rhythm that underpins the entire track. The song's lyrics also touch on themes of power, violence, and revolution, suggesting that these are recurring themes throughout history.
Hunter confirms that the song is related to the Stones. He relates a story that he had just seen the Stones at Madison Square Garden, and who should he meet at the concert but Bob Dylan. Bob asked him what he thought of their show and Ian responded: "Insipid"and Dylan responded "apathy for the devil." Dylan gave Hunter the idea for the song. The rock 'n' roll of Little Richard and Fats Domino according to Hunter was associated with innocence while the 1970s apathy was only punctuated by David Bowie.
Another important theme is social upheaval by punk rock. Bands such as the Sex Pistols, The Clash (big fans of Mott The Hoople), and The Ramones gained popularity with their anti-establishment message and DIY approach to music production.
References to the American Civil War and "gone with the wind" tie in with the themes of power and violence in the song. Rhetorically he asks: "Was it your General Sheridan who once said, "The only good, good man is a dead good man." It wasn't Sheridan because he transferred from command of an infantry division in the Western Theater to lead the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac in the East thus he was not in the March to Atlanta associated with the phrase gone with the wind. Sherman's March to the Sea was a military campaign conducted through Georgia in 1864 by William Tecumseh Sherman.
Moreover, the quote "The only good, good man is a dead good man" fits in well with ideas of power and violence and is commonly attributed to the character Deke Thornton, played by Robert Ryan, in Sam Pekinpah's 1969 film "The Wild Bunch." Hunter must like the film so much he wrote a song entitled, The Wild Bunch.
The phrase "gone with the wind" refers to the well-known book and film of the same name when the tide of war turns against the Confederacy after the Battle of Gettysburg. In one of the most brutal experiences during war Sherman commanded a scorched earth policy against the South and the phrase `war is hell' is usually attributed to him. As experienced by many Southerners Scarlett the leading character loses her beau Rhett to the war, her home deserted and pillaged by Union troops, the fields untended, and finding out that her mom died of typhoid fever while her father lost his mind. Scarlett vows to ensure her and her family's survival.
SIGN UP NOW FOR THE PRE-RELEASE OF IAN HUNTER ON TRACK FOR SONICBOND PUBLISHING AT THEDOCTOROFDIGITAL@PM.ME!
Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me
Ian recorded his second solo album in NYC, and this finds him in an altogether softer mood - there are none of Ian's trademark rockers on this album. Management differences meant that Mick Ronson was absent ("I'll never work with Mick again so long as Tony DeFries is his manager" - Ian), so Ian brought in Chris Stainton on keyboards to act as a balancing force in the studio ("I need someone who'll argue with me").
Highlight of the album is Irene Wilde (which Ian maintains is a true story), and You Nearly Did Me In (which features Queen's Freddie Mercury, Brian May and Roger Taylor on backing vocals).
The 2006 reissue sees excellent sound quality, and a host of bonus tracks none of which have been released before. It also comes with an excellent booklet written by Campbell Devine. The original version of Rape has been restored, which some may see as a disappointment compared with the rare intro on the previous 1998 CD.
This is the third release of this album on CD. This album was previously available on a USA CD. Sound quality was good, considering that by all accounts the master tapes were not in good shape. No bonus tracks. In 1998 this album was issued in the UK as part of Sony's Rewind series. Sound quality was excellent, audibly better than the USA CD. The 1998 CD also came with a previously-unavailable version of Rape, which had the Singin' In The Rain intro. This version was previously available only on a few US test pressings and had never been issued officially before!
Sheridan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Sheridan)
William Tecumseh Sherman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherman%27s_March_to_the_Sea).
(https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065214/)
book and film of the same name (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031381/)
"The Wild Bunch" is a Western film that explores the lives of a group of aging outlaws who are looking to pull off one last heist. The film is known for its graphic violence and gritty realism, depicting the harsh realities of life on the American frontier. The character who utters the quote, Deke Thornton, is a former member of the Wild Bunch who has been hired by the authorities to track down his former comrades and it captures the film's underlying themes of violence, death, and betrayal, and reflects the harsh realities of life on the American frontier.
Apathy 83
(Ian Hunter)
Standin' on the edge of Vesuvius - my mouth is runnin' dry
Drunk on wine & wisdom - giving it all away
Old enough to hate tomorrow - young enough not to know where to run
Oh there ain't no rock'n roll no more - just the music of the young
Apathy for the devil Apathy for the devil
Apathy for the devil 'N Apathy for the son.
The moon shines brightly on some summer lawn - and envy caught like a leaf
Comes floating down upon this frozen desert sand -
spitting bullets through the night
The siren wails on the ambulance - compassion touches my head 'n it bleeds
There ain't no rock'n roll no more just the sickly sound of greed.
And it's Apathy for the devil And it's Apathy for the devil
And it's Apathy for the devil 'N Apathy for the creed
No more gardens for the gardenless - no more - havens for the havenless
No more helpers for the helplessness - no more - somethings for a less
For the law is now the lawless
'N the flaw is now the flawless
'N the crime is now accepted
'N the criminal respected
'N now evil gets elected
'N now sinful get selected
Heed a president proven rotten Now officially forgotten
Was it your General Sheridan who once said
"The only good, good man is a dead good man."
It was not me babe
I just said keep your head 'n your bread well down under them floorboards
'N you - you look like you gone with the wind
Running naked through the streets
Wired out - tired out - transcendental mental - only laughing in your sleep
Nostalgia is starting to focus too late, imagination is starting to itch
There ain't no rock'n roll no more just the music of the rich
'N it's Apathy for the Devil 'N it's Apathy for the Devil
'N it's Apathy for the Devil Apathy's at fever pitch
| Apathy 83 | 4:43 | Originally issued on All American Alien Boy. It can also be found on the compilations Gold and Once Bitten - the CBS Collection. |
| Apathy 83 (alternate version) | 4:40 | An alternate version (called just Apathy) is on the 2006 and 2016 CD reissues of All American Alien Boy. |
Posts
