Early last year, the then-freshman Oregon House member from Portland was getting ready for bed when he and his wife, Katy, began bantering back and forth about what might be the ultimate political prank, something that could lighten the increasingly divisive political mood among his colleagues.
As Smith recalls, the idea came almost instantly. “What if we were to Rick Roll the legislature without anybody noticing?” he wondered.
And that was the seed for what may ultimately prove to be one of the most elaborate political jokes of all time: A nearly two-minute long video of members of the Oregon House of Representatives saying the lyrics of Rick Astley’s ubiquitous ’80s pop ballad, “Never Gonna Give You Up,” literally one word or phrase at a time while in session.
Well besides for it having just been Cheap Trick day in this fine state the image of Mike Madigan saying “They get inside of my head” alone would make it worth it.
Ramble On by Led Zeppelin: “Thanks to you I’m much obliged for such a pleasant stay…the autumn moon lights my way but with it pain and it’s headed my way”…
Highway to Hell, AC DC. the entire first verse reads like it was written for a supermajority party:
Living easy, living free
Season ticket on a one-way ride
Asking nothing, leave me be
Taking everything in my stride
Don’t need reason, don’t need rhyme
Ain’t nothing I would rather do
Going down, party time
My friends are gonna be there too
Even the second verse has the line…
Like a wheel, gonna spin it
Nobody’s gonna mess me round
Rick Astley is so 2008. It’s all about Rebecca Black’s “Friday” now. I imagine it’d be much harder to subtly slide in lines like, “Gotta have my bowl, gotta have cereal,” into floor debate.
Talking Heads - Road To Nowhere - the lyrics say it all, including gems “and the future is certain, give us time to work it out” and “and we know what were knowin’, but we can’t say what we’ve seen”
- Joe from Joliet - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:26 am:
Continuing with the Beatles - “Taxman”.
Should five percent appear too small,
Be thankful I don’t take it all.
‘Cause I’m the taxman,
Yeah, I’m the taxman.
I’ll tax the street;
I’ll tax your seat;
I’ll tax the heat;
I’ll tax your feet.
Of course it is overstating the case, but it still seems relevant to Illinois politics. Plus it goes after Rick Astley. Tough, cynical, but with a sense of humor.
All Men, All Men are liars their words ain’t worth no more than worn out tires.
Do you remember Rick Astley?
He had a big fat hit that was ghastly.
He said I’m never gonna give you up or let you down.
Well I’m here to tell ya that Dick’s a clown
Though he was just a boy when he made that vow.
I’d bet it all that he knows by now.
- Are Ya Kiddin' Me? - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:29 am:
MONEY FOR NOTHING
By Dire Straights
Now look at them yo-yo’s, that’s the way you do it
You play the Lobbyists on the 3rd Floor Rail
That ain’t working, that’s the way you do it
Money for nothing and your chicks for free
Now that ain’t working, that’s the way you do it
Let me tell you them guys ain’t dumb
Maybe get a Free Dinner
Maybe Play Some Free Golf
“Louie, Louie”–no one knows exactly what the words are, no one knows what it really means, no one is exactly sure where it came from, but everyone seems to like it.
In the interest of unity and silliness, politically loaded “message” songs should not be considered. Thats why I nominate either “Walkin on Sunshine” or “Safety Dance”. Plus I just love those two crappy 80s songs.
There is unrest in the forest,
There is trouble with the trees,
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas.
The trouble with the maples,
(And they’re quite convinced the’re right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light.
But the oaks can’t help their feelings
If they like the way they’re made.
And they wonder why the maples
Can’t be happy in their shade.
There is trouble in the Forest,
And the Creatures all have fled,
As the Maples scream oppression,
And the Oaks just shake their heads.
So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights.
“These oaks are just too greedy;
We will make them give us light.”
Now there’s no more oak oppression,
For they passed a noble law,
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw.
we could solve partisan politics with hatchet axe and saw
How about the GA crooning to Our Boy Pat, Cole Porter’s I’ve Got You Under My Skin:
I’ve got you under my skin
I’ve got you deep in the heart of me
So deep in my heart that you’re really a part of me
I’ve got you under my skin
I’d tried so not to give in
I said to myself, “This affair never will go so well”
But why should I try to resist when, baby, I know so well
I’ve got you under my skin
I’d sacrifice anything come what might
For the sake of havin’ you near
In spite of a warning voice that comes in the night
And repeats, repeats in my ear
“Don’t you know, little fool, you never can win?
Use your mentality, wake up to reality”
But each time that I do just the thought of you makes me stop
Before I begin ’cause I’ve got you under my skin
I would sacrifice anything come what might
For the sake of havin’ you near
In spite of the warning voice that comes in the night
And repeats, how it yells in my ear
“Don’t you know, little fool, you never can win?
Why not use your mentality, step up, wake up to reality”
But each time I do just the thought of you makes me stop
Just before I begin ’cause I’ve got you under my skin
Yes, I’ve got you under my skin
Should I stay or should I go. cause The Clash could be a good description of the work in the Patch, “you’re happy when I’m on my knees, …..so if you want me off your back…” sounds like an unhappy rep grousing about Madigan, and the title describes whether to leave the floor when a problematic vote is happening. ok, that’s all WEV, I just love the song.
And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
And you may find yourself in another part of the world
And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself-Well…How did I get here?
Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money’s gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground.
And you may ask yourself
How do I work this?
And you may ask yourself
Where is that large automobile?
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful house!
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful wife!
Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money’s gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground.
Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…
Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…
Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…
Water dissolving…and water removing
There is water at the bottom of the ocean
Carry the water at the bottom of the ocean
Remove the water at the bottom of the ocean!
Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/in the silent water
Under the rocks and stones/there is water underground.
Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money’s gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground.
And you may ask yourself
What is that beautiful house?
And you may ask yourself
Where does that highway go?
And you may ask yourself
Am I right?…Am I wrong?
And you may tell yourself
MY GOD!…WHAT HAVE I DONE?
Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/in the silent water
Under the rocks and stones/there is water underground.
Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money’s gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground.
Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…
Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…
Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…
- Live from Kasich Walker, Jr.'s Elbow Room - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 1:31 pm:
Not that Illinois voters would or should of mimicry, but if it were to be done, I’d recommend Leonard Cohen’s “First We Take Manhattan”.
Well, Aloe Blacc’s “I Need A Dollar” would work pretty well.
“. . . Bad times are comin and I reap what I don’t sow
hey hey
Well let me tell you somthin all that glitters ain’t gold
hey hey
It’s been a long old trouble long old troublesome road
And I’m looking for somebody come and help me carry this load
I need a dollar dollar, a dollar is what I need
hey hey
Well I need a dollar dollar, a dollar is what I need
Well I don’t know if I’m walking on solid ground
Cause everything around me is falling down
And all I want - is for someone - to help me”
Send in the clowns. Read these lines, how appropriate:
Don’t you love a farce; my fault I fear
I thought that you’d want what I want - sorry my dear
But where are the clowns - there ought to be clowns
Maybe next year
I don’t wanna worry about dying
I just wanna worry about those sunshine girls.”
Dreaming up free rides for old folks, free medical care for kids and next thing you know we’re dead broke. But why worry when the Governor thinks we can spend nearly $2 billion more.
I would like to make it clear that I would only be for reading a song into the record if it was also accompanied by interpretive dance. Something in the realm of Hard Rock or Classic Metal would be required to capture the mood.
I would suggest Tyrant by Judas Priest.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 10:58 am:
Cheap Trick’s Dream Police.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 10:59 am:
Explain, please.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:08 am:
Well besides for it having just been Cheap Trick day in this fine state the image of Mike Madigan saying “They get inside of my head” alone would make it worth it.
- Cincinnatus - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:16 am:
For obvious reasons, the GA should sing Money (That’s What I Want) by The Beatles. Pat Quinn could lead the chorus.
- Loop Lady - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:16 am:
Ramble On by Led Zeppelin: “Thanks to you I’m much obliged for such a pleasant stay…the autumn moon lights my way but with it pain and it’s headed my way”…
- Captain Illini - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:20 am:
Highway to Hell, AC DC. the entire first verse reads like it was written for a supermajority party:
Living easy, living free
Season ticket on a one-way ride
Asking nothing, leave me be
Taking everything in my stride
Don’t need reason, don’t need rhyme
Ain’t nothing I would rather do
Going down, party time
My friends are gonna be there too
Even the second verse has the line…
Like a wheel, gonna spin it
Nobody’s gonna mess me round
Which again can be professed by either party…
- piling on - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:22 am:
Illini, I believe that was Emil’s innaug speech at the start of 07.
- MKA1985 - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:22 am:
Rick Astley is so 2008. It’s all about Rebecca Black’s “Friday” now. I imagine it’d be much harder to subtly slide in lines like, “Gotta have my bowl, gotta have cereal,” into floor debate.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:24 am:
Cinci, I’d go with Pink Floyd’s Money.
Money
It’s a crime
Share it fairly
But don’t take a slice of my pie
Sounds close to some recent floor debates I’ve heard so it shouldn’t be too tough to put a video together.
- LincolnLounger - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:24 am:
“Tragedy” by the Bee Gees seems in order:
Tragedy
When you lose control and you got no soul, it’s tragedy
When the morning cries and you don’t know why, it’s hard to take . . . .
- LakeviewJ - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:24 am:
The Fish Head Song from Dr. Demento.
It could be disguised as debate over Asian carp measures.
- Mr. Ethics - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:25 am:
Talking Heads - Road To Nowhere - the lyrics say it all, including gems “and the future is certain, give us time to work it out” and “and we know what were knowin’, but we can’t say what we’ve seen”
- Joe from Joliet - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:26 am:
Continuing with the Beatles - “Taxman”.
Should five percent appear too small,
Be thankful I don’t take it all.
‘Cause I’m the taxman,
Yeah, I’m the taxman.
I’ll tax the street;
I’ll tax your seat;
I’ll tax the heat;
I’ll tax your feet.
- Martha - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:26 am:
“All Men are liars” by Nick Lowe
Of course it is overstating the case, but it still seems relevant to Illinois politics. Plus it goes after Rick Astley. Tough, cynical, but with a sense of humor.
All Men, All Men are liars their words ain’t worth no more than worn out tires.
Do you remember Rick Astley?
He had a big fat hit that was ghastly.
He said I’m never gonna give you up or let you down.
Well I’m here to tell ya that Dick’s a clown
Though he was just a boy when he made that vow.
I’d bet it all that he knows by now.
- Stones - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:29 am:
Touche’ Joe from Joliet! Can’t top that one!
- Are Ya Kiddin' Me? - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:29 am:
MONEY FOR NOTHING
By Dire Straights
Now look at them yo-yo’s, that’s the way you do it
You play the Lobbyists on the 3rd Floor Rail
That ain’t working, that’s the way you do it
Money for nothing and your chicks for free
Now that ain’t working, that’s the way you do it
Let me tell you them guys ain’t dumb
Maybe get a Free Dinner
Maybe Play Some Free Golf
- Aldyth - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:35 am:
The Money song from Cabaret:
Money makes the world go around
The world go around
The world go around
Money makes the world go around
It makes the world go around
- D.P. Gumby - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:38 am:
“Louie, Louie”–no one knows exactly what the words are, no one knows what it really means, no one is exactly sure where it came from, but everyone seems to like it.
- Cincinnatus - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:39 am:
47th Ward,
I considered it, but I never could figure out the true meaning of the Pink Floyd song, are they playing it straight or being ironic.
I did however consider George Harrison’s Taxman (I prefer the Stevie Ray Vaughan cover).
- Our Magician - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:52 am:
“It’s the end of the world as we know it” by REM so Mike Madigan can say Leonard Bernstein.
- Ben Gazzara - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:54 am:
In the interest of unity and silliness, politically loaded “message” songs should not be considered. Thats why I nominate either “Walkin on Sunshine” or “Safety Dance”. Plus I just love those two crappy 80s songs.
- Ghost - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 11:56 am:
The Trees - by RUSH
There is unrest in the forest,
There is trouble with the trees,
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas.
The trouble with the maples,
(And they’re quite convinced the’re right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light.
But the oaks can’t help their feelings
If they like the way they’re made.
And they wonder why the maples
Can’t be happy in their shade.
There is trouble in the Forest,
And the Creatures all have fled,
As the Maples scream oppression,
And the Oaks just shake their heads.
So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights.
“These oaks are just too greedy;
We will make them give us light.”
Now there’s no more oak oppression,
For they passed a noble law,
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw.
we could solve partisan politics with hatchet axe and saw
- Ben Gazzara - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 12:00 pm:
I love “Our Magician”’s idea.
- Cincinnatus - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 12:08 pm:
How about the GA crooning to Our Boy Pat, Cole Porter’s I’ve Got You Under My Skin:
I’ve got you under my skin
I’ve got you deep in the heart of me
So deep in my heart that you’re really a part of me
I’ve got you under my skin
I’d tried so not to give in
I said to myself, “This affair never will go so well”
But why should I try to resist when, baby, I know so well
I’ve got you under my skin
I’d sacrifice anything come what might
For the sake of havin’ you near
In spite of a warning voice that comes in the night
And repeats, repeats in my ear
“Don’t you know, little fool, you never can win?
Use your mentality, wake up to reality”
But each time that I do just the thought of you makes me stop
Before I begin ’cause I’ve got you under my skin
I would sacrifice anything come what might
For the sake of havin’ you near
In spite of the warning voice that comes in the night
And repeats, how it yells in my ear
“Don’t you know, little fool, you never can win?
Why not use your mentality, step up, wake up to reality”
But each time I do just the thought of you makes me stop
Just before I begin ’cause I’ve got you under my skin
Yes, I’ve got you under my skin
- titan - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 12:20 pm:
Eve of Destruction
or
Ball of Confusion
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 12:22 pm:
“The future’s uncertain and the end is always near — let it roll, baby, roll!”
- IL Yeezy - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 12:29 pm:
I’m with MKA1985 on doing Rebecca Black’s “Friday,” if only to watch legislators debate which seat they should take.
- x ace - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 12:39 pm:
“Lord Won’t You Buy Me a Mercedes Benz” by J. Joplin , just like lawmakers sitting on their rears Dialing for
Dollars
- amalia - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 12:42 pm:
Should I stay or should I go. cause The Clash could be a good description of the work in the Patch, “you’re happy when I’m on my knees, …..so if you want me off your back…” sounds like an unhappy rep grousing about Madigan, and the title describes whether to leave the floor when a problematic vote is happening. ok, that’s all WEV, I just love the song.
- piling on - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 1:19 pm:
– Talking Heads, Once in a Lifetime.
And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
And you may find yourself in another part of the world
And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself-Well…How did I get here?
Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money’s gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground.
And you may ask yourself
How do I work this?
And you may ask yourself
Where is that large automobile?
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful house!
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful wife!
Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money’s gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground.
Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…
Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…
Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…
Water dissolving…and water removing
There is water at the bottom of the ocean
Carry the water at the bottom of the ocean
Remove the water at the bottom of the ocean!
Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/in the silent water
Under the rocks and stones/there is water underground.
Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money’s gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground.
And you may ask yourself
What is that beautiful house?
And you may ask yourself
Where does that highway go?
And you may ask yourself
Am I right?…Am I wrong?
And you may tell yourself
MY GOD!…WHAT HAVE I DONE?
Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/in the silent water
Under the rocks and stones/there is water underground.
Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money’s gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground.
Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…
Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…
Same as it ever was…Same as it ever was…
- Live from Kasich Walker, Jr.'s Elbow Room - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 1:31 pm:
Not that Illinois voters would or should of mimicry, but if it were to be done, I’d recommend Leonard Cohen’s “First We Take Manhattan”.
- Both Sides Now - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 1:59 pm:
Love this idea - someone should get started on this project NOW!
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 3:14 pm:
Well, Aloe Blacc’s “I Need A Dollar” would work pretty well.
“. . . Bad times are comin and I reap what I don’t sow
hey hey
Well let me tell you somthin all that glitters ain’t gold
hey hey
It’s been a long old trouble long old troublesome road
And I’m looking for somebody come and help me carry this load
I need a dollar dollar, a dollar is what I need
hey hey
Well I need a dollar dollar, a dollar is what I need
Well I don’t know if I’m walking on solid ground
Cause everything around me is falling down
And all I want - is for someone - to help me”
- Bman - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 3:28 pm:
Send in the clowns. Read these lines, how appropriate:
Don’t you love a farce; my fault I fear
I thought that you’d want what I want - sorry my dear
But where are the clowns - there ought to be clowns
Maybe next year
- Jake From Elwood - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 3:33 pm:
Courtesy of William Elliott Whitmore…
“The old devils are at it again.
Who knows what they’ll do.
It’s true right now like it was back then.
The old devils are at it again. Oh Oh.”
- Plutocrat03 - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 3:34 pm:
Lawyers, Guns and Money - Warren Zevon
I took a little risk
Send lawyers, guns and money
Dad, get me out of this, hyeah
- Boone Logan Square - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 4:16 pm:
Hard times are never over
Trouble always comes
Still, I’m looking forward
To tomorrow, when it comes
I’ve done a little damage
To myself, I didn’t care
There are things a man can’t manage
That’s the devil’s share
Little decisions
Are the kind I can make
Big resolutions
Are so easy to break
I don’t wanna hear about your big decisions.
-Paul Kelly
- Pat Robertson - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 4:42 pm:
The sound of silence would be nice, and I don’t mean the song.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 4:48 pm:
“Young Hearts Spark Fire” from the Japandroids.
“We used to dream
Now we worry about dying
I don’t wanna worry about dying
I just wanna worry about those sunshine girls.”
Dreaming up free rides for old folks, free medical care for kids and next thing you know we’re dead broke. But why worry when the Governor thinks we can spend nearly $2 billion more.
- Bemused - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 7:34 pm:
Country Joe & The Fish
Well it’s one two three what we fighting For?
- Timmeh - Tuesday, Apr 12, 11 @ 8:01 pm:
I would like to make it clear that I would only be for reading a song into the record if it was also accompanied by interpretive dance. Something in the realm of Hard Rock or Classic Metal would be required to capture the mood.
I would suggest Tyrant by Judas Priest.
- MKA1985 - Wednesday, Apr 13, 11 @ 8:22 am:
Hell YEAH Precinct Captain!