Some disturbing news came across the transom today concerning Van Morrison’s new album, which contains a song called “They Own the Media.” Here are the lyrics:
They tell us that ignorance is bliss
I guess for those that control the media it is
They own the media they control
The stories we are told
You ever try to go against them, you will be ignored
Because they control
They control
They control the narrative they perpetuate the myth
Keep on telling you lies, telling you ignorance is bliss
Leave it all and you’ll never get, never get wise
To the truth
Cuz they control
Everything you do
Everything you do
Everything you do
Everything you doThey control the narrative
They perpetuate the myth
Keep on selling you lies
Tell you ignorance is bliss
Believe it all and you’ll never get the truth
Never get wise
Wise to their lies
To their lies
They control the media
They control the media
It is never actually stated who the “they” is, but one has suspicions. We all know who is usually accused of “owning the media”; I don’t think I need to repeat it here.
Frankly I’m not sure I’m motivated to keep writing about the man after this. Anti-lockdown songs were one thing; this is another. Thoughts?
Yeah, this broke my heart this morning. Some critics are saying, “well, he doesn’t say EXACTLY who ‘they’ are, so maybe he means something else!” And he has a long history of blaming others for everything, and I don’t believe this is the first time he’s used a generic “they.” But, like you said, this particular one is a loaded one with a usually very specific “they” in mind, and it’s hard to believe that Van would be oblivious to that.
I’ve been a fan for decades and have at least 20 albums by him. Most of those will always remain awesome. But this might be where I finally get off the train.
There is so much good music in his past but, boy, I don’t know…
He is really testing my ability to compartmentalize. This review is some pretty good criticizin’ https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/may/06/van-morrison-new-record-project-volume-one-review
maybe you can stop in say 2010
Jaybus, if y’all are gonna get off the Van train because of a lyric where you THINK he means something, then maybe you’re ready for time-travel to Rolling Stone circa 1974. They had every word sown with what he meant.
Meanwhile, I think he’s talking about Bavarians, don’t you? ;P