With Death Of A Nation Hunter addresses social decline in the "cradle of civilization" and on a political LP this is certainly one song that qualifies as such if not one of the most politically astute in the Hunter canon. It is a protest and a love song. The song has almost a folkish tinge as Ian laments the death of England that Winston Churchill grasped; the current crop of second rate politicians are responsible but Ian notes they are getting away with it. As Hunter notes he would love to live in England but in a related song Ripoff it gets to him. Ian said that it's about a lack of confidence in the British ruling classes. He confesses that it was a difficult song to wrote but from his relative distance living the United States he had an opportunity to speak. Like many youth we believe our land is the best but once you develop a mature perspective you realize you are not as free as you thought. Hunter equates Bill Clinton and Tony Blair. It's clear the Hunter believes it is tragic and he still loves his native land and will never say goodbye. Kids in the UK and the USA believe we are free but as we mature we find out that we were used, molded, and not as free as we thought.
It is also available as a live version on Bag of Tricks, Vol. 1 from 2002.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1789523044?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_WOLGDN9AD6UWV1H4EG8O
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Death Of A Nation is next, some of you may remember it from last year's tour. Almost folkish in places with acoustic guitar, Ian laments the decline of the England that (WW2 leader) Churchill would have known, and has a message for the politicians responsible for it all: "But you've been getting away with it for far too long/Your promises ain't worth the paper they're written on". In terms of pace and delivery it is reminiscent of God (Take 1), I can see it becoming another live favourite.
Death of a Nation
(Ian Hunter)
I was having a drink with Prince Charles and the Queen
When Winston Churchill stepped into my dream
His head it was heavy, his voice was shakin'
He said, "Look what they've done - it's the death of a Nation"
I followed his shadow right out of the bar
And we talked all night 'neath the light of the stars
He said, "This used to be a cradle of civilization
Now look what they've done - it's the death of a Nation"
Everything's illusion now, nothing's what it seems
Money isn't everything, when you're turning your back on a dream
I held you together when you were breakin'
You can pull down the flags- it's the death of a Nation
Don't say goodbye, don't say goodbye,
'N we'll never die, no we'll never die
Don't say goodbye, don't say goodbye,
'N we'll never die, no we will never die
From the bottom of this ancient heart
I hate to see you falling apart
Cos I love you still, I love you still, I love you still
You've been getting away with it far too long
Your promises ain't worth the paper they're printed on
I had a love, but that love's been forsaken
Look what they've done, it's the death of a Nation.
Don't say goodbye, don't say goodbye,
'N we'll never die, no we'll never die
Don't say goodbye, don't say goodbye,
'N we'll never die, no we will never die
Don't say goodbye, don't say goodbye,
'N I'll never die, no I will never die
Don't say goodbye, don't say goodbye,
'N I'll never die, no I will never die
Ian's first studio album since The Artful Dodger finds him in a determined mood with a lot to say. Always at his best when he feels he has something to say, Ian is on the warpath with this one, his most politically charged in over 25 years. And boy has he delivered, an album that will stand the test of time mixing belting rockers with poingant ballads.
Opening track Still Love Rock 'n' Roll is a nod to the music that inspired Ian in the first place, a great mid-tempo rocker, Chuck Berry meets Little Richard covering all points in between but with a fresh perspective. I can see this being in the live set for years to come. Wash Us Away is a great slower number that grows on you, you'll soon find yourself humming the tune when you're busy doing something else.
Death Of A Nation is next, some of you may remember it from last year's tour. Almost folkish in places with acoustic guitar, Ian laments the decline of the England that (WW2 leader) Churchill would have known, and has a message for the politicians responsible for it all: "But you've been getting away with it for far too long/Your promises ain't worth the paper they're written on". In terms of pace and delivery it is reminiscent of God (Take 1), I can see it becoming another live favourite.
Morons is an up-tempo rocker, with plenty of piano, reminiscent musically of Marionette and lyrically Crash Street Kidds where Ian positively spits venom at the politicians and media for treating people like... well, morons: "Read moron newspapers, watch moron television... Etonians, Harovians think they're the chosen ones", and later "Look at those morons! They do nothing but whine and they're slow all the time... We can leave 'em behind, while we're dumbing them down we'll be robbing them blind!"
The subject of the high cost of living in England crops up again later, like in American Spy where Ian notes "Always in the red, never in the black/You make a bit of money and they take it all back/This ain't no way to spend the rest of my life" and in the more obvious Ripoff: "I really don't know why England's such a ripoff" and, he notes, "Some day you might win the lottery/Some day you might win the pools/But that's all you've got to live for" which for an awful lot of people isn't to far from the truth.
But it isn't all political, as Ian shows time and again he can write beautiful ballads that hit the emotional nail right on the head, such as Knees Of My Heart ("Slipped the ring on your finger/It's still there to this day" and "Honest and faithful, loyal and true/Where would I be if it were not for you".
Soap 'n' Water is direct and to the point, being directed at someone else entirely: "I can't believe what you did, you know how to hurt/All you do is drag old memories through the dirt".
This is a CD that takes a couple of plays to hit you (Ian never makes it easy for his fans!). But believe me, there is quality and depth here that will reward repeated playing. The (US) CD comes with an insert that folds out to reveal full lyrics and musician credits - I can only assume the UK CD will do likewise. All in all, highly recommended.
| Death Of A Nation | 5:35 | Originally issued on Rant. |
| Death Of A Nation (live 19th May 2002) | 7:15 | This live version (recorded Life Cafe, Manchester England) can be found on Bag Of Tricks (Vol 1) (box set only). |
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