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:: The Stars and Stripes Forever ::

:: I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing ::

:: Put Your Hand in the Hand ::

This Korean Children’s Choir record might have made a fine Independence Day post. Alas, posting anything around that date would have interfered with my personal pursuit of happiness (alcohol consumption) and that is surely something our forefathers would have frowned upon.

Put out in 1972 by those wacky wackos from Waco, Word Records (the finest name in sacred music, according to the copy), the album offers up three examples of songs that embody the ideals of the American Way: God, Country, and Capitalism. First up is the innocent youngsters’ take on “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” Perhaps it’s meant to be heartwarming, but I get a decided feeling of absolute wrongness in hearing little children of foreign lands singing the praises of our flag. Let’s leave that sort of business to our own chest-thumpers, parade marchers, and Tennessee Ernie Ford. The kids then tackle, “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing,” the advertising jingle for Coca Cola. Ahh, it’s much more satisfying when little Korean kids sing about our products, isn’t it? The entire world loves a Coke and smile. And finally, we’re treated to a cover of “Put Your Hand in the Hand,” originally recorded by that hippy-dippy, Toronto band Ocean, which concerns every patriot’s favorite Lord and Savior, Jesus H. Christ. I’ve always dug that other Lord and Savior, Elvis A. Presley’s version, but the Korean Children’s Choir does a fine job here. Make sure to enjoy these songs with a slice of left-over apple pie for a maximum overdose of Americana.


Phil

This entry was posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 at 5:50 AM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.