Thumbing through the New York Times today, and, naturally, “All the News That’s Fit to Print,” I came across one of the most absurd and downright laughable pieces of “journalism,” I’ve seen in some time. However, this one can’t be blamed on the Times.  Reporting on a recent article published in the National Review â€" the nation’s leading conservative magazine â€" and accompanied by a picture of Pete Townshend in mid windmill, the story regards conservative themes in rock ‘n’ roll, and reprints a list compiled by John J. Miller of the Review, of the Top 10 Conservative Songs in Rock.
The list goes like this:

• “Won’t Get Fooled Again” â€" The Who
• “Taxman” â€" The Beatles
• “Sympathy for the Devil” â€" The Rolling Stones
• “Sweet Home Alabama” â€" Lynyrd Skynyrd
• “Wouldn’t it be Nice” â€" the Beach Boys
• “Gloria” â€" U2
• “Revolution” â€" the Beatles
• “Bodies” â€" the Sex Pistols
• “Don’t Tread on Me” â€" Metallica
• “20th Century Man â€" the Kinks

Need I even comment on the silliness? Need I even point out what a desperate attempt this is, by the Right, to gain back a little ground in the culture war they’ve obviously lost? Need I even point out that John Lennon is likely laughing his ass off somewhere, at the idea of “Revolution” as a conservative anthem?
Listen, Right, you’ve got your Brooks and Dunn; you’ve got your Toby Keith. While it might be fun to listen to the Who on your way to an anti immigration rally, or pump a little Metallica while discussing the merits of Intelligent Design, these songs are not for you. Rock is not for you. It’s never been conservative, and it never will be.
Give it up. â€" Matt Driscoll