OK, I think I'm definately not getting the hang of blogging. But I've been working my head off to finish my first ever manuscript, as well as applying to the EMBL PhD symposium and compiling a list of mutations for the human ABCC6 gene, which meant reading through 40something papers within a week. The last task at least I finally finished. Now it's 4 in the morning and I'm collecting energy to get back to the manuscript. Meanwhile I'm listening to the UK Singles Chart on Radio 1. It's one of my favorite shows. Not because the DJs are particularly appealing, but there's something about the selection of songs. It's so... random.
Well, this week there's a real jem in the Top 40. It's seeded at position 16 and it's called Illegal Attacks by Ian Brown, the former lead singer of The Stone Roses.
So why is this song special? Well, it's one of those rare songs that has real meaning to it. It is a very political anti-war song. And although in general I'm not a big fan of politics, I do think it is important to talk about issues like the war in Iraq. Just because it's far away doesn't mean it's not happening. So it's great to see that this topic has finally infiltrated musical pop culture, and that people are actually buying the single...
So what the fuck is this UK
Gunnin’ with this US of A
In Iraq and Iran and in Afghanistan
[...]
‘Cause as a matter of facts
It’s a pact, it’s an act
These are illegal attacks
So bring the soldiers back
These are illegal attacks
It’s contracts for contacts
I’m singing concrete facts
So bring the soldiers back
