What's all this I hear ...

From the New York Times today [really]:


To the Editor:

Now I've heard it all: Mick Jagger sitting in judgment of Condoleeza Rice, describing her as a "hypocrite" in a new song with the catchy title "Sweet Neo Con."
Mr. Jagger is a force of nature in the rock world, but for foreign policy assessment, I think I'll stick with the concert pianist with the foreign policy background and the sterling record in the State Department -- if it's all the same to you, Mick.


Maggie McGirr
Greenwich, Connecticut
August 10, 2005


Never mind ...

Also in today's Times:

The Rolling Stones Enter Political Fray

Mick Jagger is giving the White House a bit of lip. Treading political terrain covered already by artists including Eminem, Green Day and Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones' new album includes a song railing against well-connected contractors and the war on terrorism. In the song, "Sweet Neo Con," Mr. Jagger sings, "How come you're so wrong / My sweet neo con? / Where's the money gone / In the Pentagon?" according to lyrics provided by a band representative. The rock band, still one of the most successful touring attractions in the business, has touched on political themes before, in such classics as "Street Fighting Man." But the new song, which also references Halliburton, the energy-services company that employed Dick Cheney before he became vice president, comes at a time when the nation's sharp political divisions have left the recording industry uncertain about how to handle sensitive topics. The Rolling Stones may not find out how fans respond to "Sweet Neo Con," from their forthcoming "A Bigger Bang" album, unless they perform it on tour. Virgin Records, the Stones' label, is not promoting the song to radio stations. The N.F.L. plans to broadcast some of a taped Stones' concert in the pregame show before the New England Patriots take on the Oakland Raiders on Sept. 8, but it will not be selecting "Sweet Neo Con," said to Brian McCarthy of the N.F.L. "We're not asking them to throw passes or discuss politics," Mr. McCarthy said. "We can draw from an extensive list of songs." Fran Curtis, a spokeswoman for the band, said, "People can disagree and still be friends." JEFF LEEDS

From "Outside the Beltway"

The Rolling Stones are taking aim at elements of the American right with a new song on their upcoming album. The track, "Sweet Neo Con," boasts the line, "You call yourself a Christian, I call you a hypocrite/You call yourself a patriot, well I think you're full of ..." Newsweek reports.

"It is direct," Mick Jagger was quoted as saying, adding that bandmate Keith Richards was "a bit worried" about a backlash because the guitarist lives in the United States and Jagger does not.

The song also includes the line: "It's liberty for all, democracy's our style/Unless you are against us, then it's prison without trial." "It is certainly very critical of certain policies of the [Bush] administration, but so what! Lots of people are critical," Jagger told TV's "Extra" on Wednesday.

"Sweet Neo Con" is one of 16 tracks featured on the Stones' new album, "A Bigger Bang," which drops in the United States on Sept. 6.