I Raq And Roll Makes A War-Time Statement

Broadcast: Mar¹ 28 2003

 

Texan Clint Black wrote I Raq and Roll with his longtime collaborator² Hayden Nicholas. The song is only available as a free download from his website, www.clintblack.com. He explains what inspired them to compose I Raq and Roll.

"We were feeling great pride in America and thankfulness to the military who stands ready to defend our country, and help defend other peoples who want to be free," he said. "We're both big history buffs, and have a ¹⁾tremendous amount of respect appreciation³ for the veterans, all the way back to the founding fathers who have fought for this country and died, and those who continue to do it. We wanted them to have a song that said 'Thank you and we think you're the best, and take out the garbage and get home safely.'"

I Raq and Roll was written from a soldier's perspective. Clint talked about one of the most gratifying notes he's received in response to the song.

"I received an email that said, 'I just want you to know that I love your new song, I Raq and Roll. It's awesome⁴. I sent the lyrics⁶ and download to my son who is on the ²⁾USS Constellation⁷ in the Gulf⁸. He emailed me back and said he played it on the aircraft carrier and all the sailors were cheering.' To know that they heard that means more to me than anything that anyone wants to say on the negative side," he said.

Other artists are using their celebrity⁹ to speak out against the war. Clint appreciates their First Amendment¹⁰ right, but feels it's destructive for the country to be divided now that the war has begun.

"Everyone has the right to do that. But I think that we need to keep our eye on the ball here at home, and don't forget that we are vulnerable to attack and that we'd be better served letting our president and our troops prosecute¹¹ this war," he said. "History will bear out right from wrong, and they can place shame, if they will, at that point. But, right now, no protesting, no debate is going to change the decision, and I feel that we really need to just stand united. This is a war. We do have an emboldened¹² enemy, and we need to stand together behind our troops and behind our president."

Natalie Maines of The Dixie Chicks, also from Clint Black's home state of Texas, recently made a uncomplimentary remark about President Bush to an audience in Europe. Many Country radio stations in the U.S. are boycotting¹³ the trio's music, and some fans are burning tickets they bought for the Dixie Chicks' upcoming concerts. Does Clint have any concerns about negative reaction to his song from those who oppose the situation in Iraq?

"I can only hope that people can see that I'm a fair-minded person, and I have respect for everyone's rights, and that I'm speaking from the heart, and not being bitter and resentful and hateful," he said. "That's not where I'm coming from. I'm trying to express my patriotism¹⁴ and hopefully that's what I'll be known for."

Following the September 11 attacks on America, Clint Black traveled overseas to perform for military troops stationed in the Persian Gulf. Although all USO and AFE (Armed Forces Entertainment) tours have been postponed¹⁵ until further notice, Clint hopes he'll soon have another opportunity to play for troops. In the meantime, he has this message for the men and women stationed in the Middle East.

"You're the best! Thank you for the sacrifices that you may make, the ^3）ultimate sacrifice," he said. "You won't be forgotten. We will do what we can to look after those you leave behind. Keep your head down, stay safe, you're the best and you do it for the best reason."

In addition to the free download of I Raq and Roll, Clint designed and is selling a T-shirt that bears a lyric⁵ from the song. All proceeds will go to children of American troops lost in the war.

I Raq and Roll recently made its debut¹⁶ on Billboard's Country Singles chart. In one week, it jumped up 22 positions on that list.

I'm Mary Morningstar.

 

1)    tremendous [tri5mendEs]adj.极大的, 巨大的

2)    USS 美国军舰

3)    ultimate [5Qltimit]adj.最后的, 最终的, 根本的

 

1 mar   

vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟

参考例句：

• It was not the custom for elderly people to mar the picnics with their presence.大人们照例不参加这样的野餐以免扫兴。
• Such a marriage might mar your career.这样的婚姻说不定会毁了你的一生。

2 collaborator   

n.合作者，协作者

参考例句：

• I need a collaborator to help me. 我需要个人跟我合作，帮我的忙。
• His collaborator, Hooke, was of a different opinion. 他的合作者霍克持有不同的看法。

3 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

4 awesome   

adj.令人惊叹的，难得吓人的，很好的

参考例句：

• The church in Ireland has always exercised an awesome power.爱尔兰的教堂一直掌握着令人敬畏的权力。
• That new white convertible is totally awesome.那辆新的白色折篷汽车简直棒极了.

5 lyric   

n.抒情诗，歌词；adj.抒情的

参考例句：

• This is a good example of Shelley's lyric poetry.这首诗是雪莱抒情诗的范例。
• His earlier work announced a lyric talent of the first order.他的早期作品显露了一流的抒情才华。

6 lyrics   

n.歌词

参考例句：

• music and lyrics by Rodgers and Hart 由罗杰斯和哈特作词作曲
• The book contains lyrics and guitar tablatures for over 100 songs. 这本书有100多首歌的歌词和吉他奏法谱。

7 constellation   

n.星座n.灿烂的一群

参考例句：

• A constellation is a pattern of stars as seen from the earth. 一个星座只是从地球上看到的某些恒星的一种样子。
• The Big Dipper is not by itself a constellation. 北斗七星本身不是一个星座。

8 gulf   

n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂

参考例句：

• The gulf between the two leaders cannot be bridged.两位领导人之间的鸿沟难以跨越。
• There is a gulf between the two cities.这两座城市间有个海湾。

9 celebrity   

n.名人，名流；著名，名声，名望

参考例句：

• Tom found himself something of a celebrity. 汤姆意识到自己已小有名气了。
• He haunted famous men, hoping to get celebrity for himself. 他常和名人在一起, 希望借此使自己获得名气。

10 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

11 prosecute   

vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官

参考例句：

• I am trying my best to prosecute my duties.我正在尽力履行我的职责。
• Is there enough evidence to prosecute?有没有起诉的足够证据？

12 emboldened   

v.鼓励，使有胆量( embolden的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Emboldened by the wine, he went over to introduce himself to her. 他借酒壮胆，走上前去向她作自我介绍。
• His success emboldened him to expand his business. 他有了成就因而激发他进一步扩展业务。 来自《简明英汉词典》

13 boycotting   

抵制，拒绝参加( boycott的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• They're boycotting the shop because the people there are on strike. 他们抵制那家商店，因为那里的店员在罢工。
• The main opposition parties are boycotting the elections. 主要反对党都抵制此次选举。

14 patriotism   

n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• They obtained money under the false pretenses of patriotism.他们以虚伪的爱国主义为借口获得金钱。

15 postponed   

vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发）

参考例句：

• The trial was postponed indefinitely. 审讯无限期延迟。
• The game has already been postponed three times. 这场比赛已经三度延期了。

16 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。