ballot or the bullet

[topik killer]

did anybody see this song live?

[Glenn]

I'm pretty sure they never did that song live.

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The Michael Jordan of Van Halen websites!!!
www.vhlinks.com

[topik killer]

it was problably because of the two different guitars needed to do that song.

like ED said "i'm not an octapus".

[Glenn]

Maybe Eddie should have gotten one of those three neck guitars like Steve Vai had in the Just Like Paradise video.

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The Michael Jordan of Van Halen websites!!!
www.vhlinks.com

[Rat Salad]

I agree that the chorus to this tune is cheesy, but the riffs on that tune kick some ass.

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Here's to your thin red line....MMMMMM I'm stepping over!

[diggyd]

I would have rather heard that one live than Josephina...yuck!

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GO PACKERS !!!

[Garywascooltoo]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rat Salad:
I agree that the chorus to this tune is cheesy, but the riffs on that tune kick some ass.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Cheesy? Those lyrics came from a deep place. Much of the song was inspired by Malcom X and other socially and culturally important people and what their messages were. It's too bad that GC had to suffer for the fact that many fans didn't get or try to get what he was saying. I guess you can only get a message out without any ramifications if you are Creed or Rage Against the Machine.

IMO this was a great song all around: musically and lyrically. Guess I'll just stay in the minority.

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"Forked tongue in double-speak"

"Your iron lung's a bag of wind"

[Rat Salad]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Garywascooltoo:
It's too bad that GC had to suffer for the fact that many fans didn't get or try to get what he was saying.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I said the CHORUS was cheesy. Believe me I understood the song. I am sure Gary Cherone can do better to send the message of having a peaceful revolution through voting then :
"Ballot or the Bullet, the choice is up to you.....Sword or the pen can be held by the same hand"
That chorus did not fit well with the aggressive music on the song.


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Here's to your thin red line....MMMMMM I'm stepping over!

[Garywascooltoo]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rat Salad:

Originally posted by Garywascooltoo:
It's too bad that GC had to suffer for the fact that many fans didn't get or try to get what he was saying.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I said the CHORUS was cheesy. Believe me I understood the song. I am sure Gary Cherone can do better to send the message of having a peaceful revolution through voting then :
"Ballot or the Bullet, the choice is up to you.....Sword or the pen can be held by the same hand"
That chorus did not fit well with the aggressive music on the song.

Gotcha. My bad. I suppose I can see your point. I misread. I thought the chorus fit, and it actually was taken as a quote. What kinda title would have fit better though?




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"Forked tongue in double-speak"

"Your iron lung's a bag of wind"

[Garywascooltoo]

And if I'm not mistaken, ballot or the bullet comes as a quote from a well known politicial in the 19th century and the "sword and the pen.." comes as a quote from Malcolm X.

Any history buffs out there can correct me.

My point is that Gary will take quotes and infuse them into his lyrics. Take for example his open letter. He directly quotes a scientist (the name is cited at the end and I forget who it is). He almost encourages people to go out and read up on those things in the way he presents the ideas in his work...not in every song, but when he is really trying to get a point across. It shows that he is putting out messages with some degree of credibility behind it. That is quite original. IMO.

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"Forked tongue in double-speak"

"Your iron lung's a bag of wind"

[Rat Salad]

I agree that Gary is an intelligent guy and he writes some thought provoking lyrics. I really don't know what the title should have been "Ballot or the Bullet" isn't a bad song at all, the chorus just didn't seem to flow well with Ed's playing ya know what I mean.
I guess Gary should have just said in the chorus: " The Government sucks so fuck you and here is Ed's solo"

I am not rippin on Gary.....I think he and Ed could really work out without the Van Halen name hanging over their heads.

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Here's to your thin red line....MMMMMM I'm stepping over!

[Rat Salad]

One thing I did not like is when Gary ripped Eddie Vedder about the whole pro-choice thing though...not cool at all. I don't think the VH Bros liked it either.

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Here's to your thin red line....MMMMMM I'm stepping over!

[Garywascooltoo]

Yeah, it wasn't the best thing to do public relations wise. I am pro-choice, but I have to say that his open letter is very respectfully written. He didn't seem to rip Vedder (or pro-choice people for that matter) at all. I have read it and though I am pro-choice, Gary made a helluva argument there. It made me stop and think about what I believe, and I respect that. I also respect the balls he had to come out and speak his mind when it definitely is not the most popular thing to be publically pro-life, and especially when he knew the lights were on him tenfold being in VH. It was a "this is who I am and that's the way it is" kinda thing. No sweet-talking or apologies. No different from Roth in that respect (although different in about every other way, which isn't bad).

I won't say I agree with all his view points, but he is one person that can present opposite viewpoints to mine, and make me stop and think and challenge my own comfort zone. I guess Gary appeals to me lyrically the way Eddie appeals to me musically...they both challenge my senses and emotions through their art.

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"Forked tongue in double-speak"

"Your iron lung's a bag of wind"