Celebration of "The Allnighter"

[Freypower]

I swear there's something wrong with me...I always liked Better in the USA. Mostly, I'll admit, because it's so easy to dance to. I have it on my workout CDs, and you can dance the 50's dances to it, which makes it fun and not so much like exercise.

Also, given where we were in the early and mid 80's, and the things going on in the Cold War, I liked the statement it made. Maybe because I worked in the defense industry I paid more attention to things, but there were a lot of people right here in our own country who criticized our part in it. There were a lot of people here who blamed our part in it for Russia backing out of the 84 Olympics, and of course the US backing out of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. We drew a lot of criticism from our own people over a lot of things, and so to me, this was a fun song that brought up some good points.

As for the spoken parts at the end, I don't see what's so deplorable about those, either.

It's the 'nice sweater, baby/what do you say you & me go for a little drive' bit. It makes me cringe.

I could list what annoys me about the song but it's best as you say to see it as a bit of fun. If Americans like it, that's good.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

It's the 'nice sweater, baby/what do you say you & me go for a little drive' bit. It makes me cringe.

I could list what annoys me about the song but it's best as you say to see it as a bit of fun. If Americans like it, that's good.

I'm not sure how most people feel about it, I've never discussed it with anyone.

As for the line at the end, I usually grin when I hear it and shout 'yes!'

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Good on you, chaim for your reacquisition! This isn't my favorite Glenn solo album by far, but it definitely has some good moments.

And I agree with VA about Better In the USA. While I don't think it's nearly as good as Partytown, I do get a kick out of listening to it. I enjoy it as the shallow, light-hearted little romp that it is intended to be. I figure it's good for the soul for me to be so easily entertained.

[chaim]

I wasn't aware that there are two versions of this album. I have a version where Living in the Darkness is replaced with The Heat Is On. I must get the other version.

Whenever Glenn says something about some issue (Better In The USA, for example), it's a "Frey/Tempchin" song. It seems that, no matter what the issue is, Glenn and Jack think alike.

[GlennLover]

VA, I agree with your opinion as well. I enjoy it. As you said, consider the times when it was written. Even though I find a bit of humour in it, it has it's serious side as well with lyrics referring to the Cold War.

[sodascouts]

I don't think it's jingoistic to be proud of one's country and consider freedom preferable to life behind the iron curtain.

That said, the sweater line makes me cringe, too.

[chaim]

I think the fact that Glenn praises some rather hollow things (burgers and fries) - and things that can be found anywhere (like beautiful girls) - makes it a bit Newmanesque. He keeps telling how great the U.S.A. is. Then comes this:

We got the burgers and fries in the U.S.A.
We got the friendly skies in the U.S.A.
We got the beautiful girls in the U.S.A.
Got the beautiful curls in the U.S.A.

We're drivin' beautiful cars in the U.S.A.
We're diggin' movie stars in the U.S.A.
We get to make romance in the U.S.A.
Let the little girl dance in the U.S.A.

Very Newmanesque, although I understand that Glenn was serious.

Reminds me a bit of Randy's Roll With The Punches and, of course, I Love LA, which Freypower mentioned. Something like I Love LA was what I meant when I said "a joke song, but not without affection underneath". I'm sure Randy does have a soft spot for LA.

[UndertheWire]

They can't be serious. Why else would the comparisons be so superficial? It just isn't clever enough. I usually skip it.