by Tanta on 9/01/2007 07:46:00 AM

Oh, man. Tanta's rockitorializing again.

Deal with it.

The thing I like best about the following video is how it provides a compelling visual metaphor for the hearts and minds of those who wish to convince themselves that business cycles are a secular morality play in which the Elect are rewarded and the Damned punished, and "we" is a meaningless pronoun because the only valid point of view is "I." In a time of war, no less.

The lyrics, of course, need no particular exegesis. At certain historical moments there is something quite aesthetically sufficient and necessary about stark and unsubtle metaphor.

Translation: yes, apparently we do sometimes need to be beaten over the head with it.

And it's still a great song, after all these years. There is a legend that the composer came up with the main rhythm while working on a piano with partially broken action. You find the music that a failing instrument will play. And then you play it.

CR, my friend, crank it up. After the week we've had, we deserve something with a better beat. Dance, dance, but try not to step on the cat. That's my motto and I'm sticking to it.