It Just So Happens....

If you want to find my political leanings
one need not even talk
for my cds and records tell it all
so those of you so tilted right
you may find this a challenge
or maybe you can inform me of where I went wrong

For several artist will only give hints
don't call them slaves to the traditional left
but fair to say those in my collection
would cringe if tagged by the right

By far the most frequent has to be Santana
spiritually inclined to advocate peace and tranquility
no doubt an aversion to military excursions
the only frustration is when I try to play like Carlos
a broken string is all you will see

U2 frequently is placed in the collection
my heroes in advocating Amnesty International's beliefs
Bono gets ridiculed for being sanctimonious
but in global issues he extends a hand to all
"MLK, Mothers of the Disappeared" say what is needed
only the closed off heart doesn't hear the call

The Beatles are well represented
both as a group and individuals in their own right
the idealism fashioned by Sir Lennon
spoke to a world that isn't nice and tight

Give me a pass for Kenny G
for those were obtained before he got bland
not sure where his views line up
I do know he likes Clinton the man

Then we have the singers not shy about left leanings
The Boss, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, and the like
to this day Peter Gabriel's "Biko" still  
causes my temper to spike

Seeger and Dylan painted pictures of societal wrongs
gave soundtracks to things that would change
including the plight of the Native Americans
so brutally removed from roaming on the range

Not to say the collection is "lefties" only
for Sinatra went right after the friendship with JFK went cold
proof positive it isn't fair to tag all conservatives bigots
old Blue eyes hatred of racism suggested a heart of gold
And I have always loved Glen Campbell's singing and guitar playing
a most underrated picker of strings
his solos are searing when he played in concert
how crisp and clear his notes so ring

A special note of the voice from heaven
Nat King Cole who has a unique place
performed at both Republican and Democratic conventions
such the epitome of style and grace

True I am not a hard core country-western lover
so "red" America won't be invading my collection anytime soon
Lee Greenwood, Kid Rock, and Ted Nugent aren't on my "must have" list
and I do invite their stalwart followers
to let me hear what I may have missed

A special place in my thoughts to one guitarist/writer/singer
whom I met at a show and will never forget
Dave Wakeling the kindest of gents
even manned the souvenir table at the gig's start
so humble and down to earth
for a time he even stopped touring
when Greenpeace captured his heart

So while not intentional in my spending decisions
for the music is what still determines my proclivity to spend
maybe it is just a similar wavelength
that encapsulates this political trend