Rich Zweiback: March 20, 2011

PHIL OCHS now more than ever!

Phil Ochs was a 100% Punk Rocker – even though he died before the Ramones’ first album. Here’s why.

1. “I Ain’t Marching Anymore”

   Neatly catalogs past wars in an effort to stop the current one (at that point Viet Nam)

2. “Love Me, I’m A Liberal”

   Later revised and covered with maximum efficiency by Jello Biafra.

   _Once I was young and impulsive
   I wore every conceivable pin
   Even went to the socialist meetings
   Learned all the old union hymns
   But I’ve grown older and wiser
   And that’s why I’m turning you in_

3. “What Are You Fighting For”

   Nothing has changed. Nothing!

4. “Outside Of A Small Circle Of Friends”

   As America watches with detachment about Wisconsin and actually concerns itself with Charley Sheen:

   “Now maybe we should ask some questions, maybe shed a tear
   But I bet you a copper penny, it cannot happen here
   And I’m sure it wouldn’t interest anybody
   Outside of a small circle of friends”

5. “Tape From California”

   My favorite. Later covered in all it’s glory by Squirrel Bait

6. “Here’s To The State Of Mississippi”

   The ultimate in skewering a state, and a state of mind. And the wonderfully optimistic insight is that this sentiment can be applied to, oh, another 20 or so states!

   _And here’s to the laws of Mississippi
   Congressmen will gather in a circus of delay
   While the Constitution is drowning in an ocean of decay
   Unwed mothers should be sterilized, I’ve even heard them say
   Yes, corruption can be classic in the Mississippi way
   Oh, here’s to the land you’ve torn out the heart of
   Mississippi find yourself another country to be part of_

7. “Draft Dodger Rag”

   _ but one thing you gotta see That someone’s gotta go over there and that someone isn’t me So I wish you well, Sarge, give ‘em Hell Yeah, Kill me a thousand or so _And if you ever get a war without blood and gore Well I’ll be the first to go_

8. “One More Parade”

   _Cold hard stares on faces so proud Kisses from the girls and cheers from the crowd And the widows from the last war cry into their shroud Here comes the big parade Don’t be afraid Price is paid Don’t be ashamed War is a game World in flames So start the parade_

9. “Cops Of The World”

   Has anything changed?

   _When we butchered your son, boys
   When we butchered your son
   Have a stick of our gum, boys
   Have a stick of our buble-gum
   We own half the world, oh say can you see
   The name for our profits is democracy
   So, like it or not, you will have to be free
   ‘Cause we’re the Cops of the World, boys
   We’re the Cops of the World_

10. Phil Ochs- There But For Fortune – The Movie

    see it! http://philochsthemovie.com/