We feel that, at least in places, there is more to some of the lyrics than might meet the ear, as it were. In the opening song (which was our very first single), there is a distinct nod to Bruce Springsteen’s 1984 classic, “Born in the U.S.A” .
However, even to this day, many believe it to be a pro-America anthem, when the reality is that it is an anti-Vietnam war song. We are therefore giving it a modern-day twist by warning of the dangers of putting “troops on the ground” in relation to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The discrepancies between legal drinking ages and call-up ages are well documented, as well as the fact how they vary from State-to-State. Today, when people hear the phrase “tote bag”, they think of a bag containing some beach towels and some sunscreen lotion, when in the classic sense, they are an US Army “grip”. This play on words is deliberate.
The stark contrast between a couple holding hands strolling through a ripe cornfield in the evening sunshine to be immediately followed by a US Army personnel carrier hit by an IEB (improvised explosive device), was designed to emphasize the random brutality of war and how lives can be changed in a split second.
Long expensive wars which often underestimate the strength and resolve of the country being invaded or even its ancient culture, such as with Iran, (formerly known as Persia) which dates back to around 3200 BC.
We both think that the money spent on bombs, rockets and fighter jets would be much better spent on Medicare or going towards the chronic shortfall in the national food stamp program (SNAP).
Before we get off our soap boxes, the Secretary of State for War (!) has that the official cost of the conflict has been $37.5 billion, whereas independent estimates put the figure at $113 billion; in addition, the conflict is one of the most expensive-ever US and cost between $890 million to $2 billion per day due to a heavy reliance on firing scarce air defense interceptors against cheap drones and missiles. What a total waste of money !
As fat the “can’t place on the map” comment, that’s not aimed directly at the soldier as such but the fact that between 160-175 million Americans do not have a valid Passport (that’s between 47-52% of the population).
Then there was the somewhat embarrassing moment in August 2025, when President Trump said that he was going to Russia to meet with Vladimir Putin, when the summit was being held in Anchorage, Alaska. So, if it can happen to the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (the White House) it can happen to anyone !
