Roger:

The Stones have always stayed clear of most political positions in their music. Some of their tunes have brushed by current events in the past but it was more about internal reactions to the world rather then poli-sci treatments. Sex drugs and rock ‘n blues has made them bohemian millionaires and this song is not the beginning of their Joan Baez phase of their music life. They are the shrewdest buisnessmen in popular music and they saw the sales of the recent Green Day CD and clever Mick saw another hook to boost sales. This is no different then when they mixed a bit of disco into their songs during the dance craze. Critics will praise them for their heightened political stance and Mick and Keith will cash their checks and go back to their mansions, laughing all the way. The Stones will always be great because of Keiths licks and Micks persona. I can’t get into a huff about this song because I can see the sales plan behind it and I admire the way they have been able to ride the changing currents of pop music for decades. Plus Keith will get drunk one night and say that Bush, Mick, and the left are all full of crap and go back to playing the blues.

Kevin Peters