Tugboat Jackson - 1984

 Tugboat Jackson, one of our most prolific artists here at Big And Tall Records has been absent for awhile, so it was with pleasure we saw this sound file in our email. The song 1984 compares the book by George Orwell, published in 1949, about  the dangers of big government and 'Big Brother' to modern times and the prolific lying that is going on.

Orwell's book was prophetic, as it took what was the current political turmoil of  the world at  the time, mainly Communism as practiced by the former Soviet Union and fast-forwarded what could happen to a society when state sponsored terror, control of history, and the cultural narrative could do. This warning applies equally to  the extreme political right and political left, as totalitarianism is itself a form of government that is evil in its own right. With totalitarianism comes the control of everything, usually to the deification of the wealthy that kowtow to the powers that be, and leads to blatant corruption and inequality to those who disobey in the slightest. Our business is music, not politics, so we defer any curiosity that Tugboat has stirred in the listener to the encouragement to read Orwell's book that is widely available in bookstores, online, and libraries, and see for yourself if there is or is not parallels in contemporary society and governments. 

In the past, Tugboat has been not only vocal in his lyrics but in words he had written for us. For whatever reason(s), he he declined further comment on any of his songs or opinions. He only tells us what he has to say he says in his songs. An honest enough response for an artist in any case. 

Ya think you’ve heard it all Then when ya git outta bed Lies float out over the airwaves Try to burrow in yo head Spewed out hard like the dry heaves Everything skewed all around Tryin' to make one take root The liar works on iffy ground Like a waterfall of nonsense Like the book written long ago George Orwell predicted it In his book nineteen eighty fo The bigger and fatter the lie The more outlandish and bold More that people will believe it The dirty lie that is told Repeat it loud and often Beat it hard into their ear Compassion is for the weak The only way is through fear Like a waterfall of nonsense Like the book written long ago George Orwell predicted it In his book nineteen eighty fo And the people are helpless So they have been led to believe Been lied to until they’re senseless Hardly any hope of reprieve The shadows will follow you Will tolerate no defiance It's almost too late for it For a rule of law reliance People united cannot fail Despite all the ones with riches Take back our country fight them all These lyin' sons of bitches!