This song is black comedy like so many Zevon songs. It contrasts the heroic image of soldiers and war that his generation received from their WW2 generation parents with the ugly realities of modern dirty proxy wars. Remember that the country is completely disillusioned in 1978 with the CIA and the cold war proxy wars in Vietnam and other "third world" countries. The story of the the life and death of a single mercenary soldier. Was he defending his country? Why did he want to go to Africa and kill for money? Very dark. the heroic tone of the music is ironic, yet we are drawn into a sympathy, especially when the CIA beheads him and he becomes a legend. Roland is just a bit of a psychopath who wanted to kill and he ends up dying at the hands of larger mor organized psychopath group, the CIA.
I cry "Bullshit!" In what way is the CIA more organized? Otherwise, I agree. Civilization is about individuals believing in something bigger than just themselves - it's about patriotism, and contributing to the welfare and security of your society/country. So every society has it's legends of heroism in battle... WZ notes how this stuff gets twisted to promote carnage in every diverse culture.
I cry "Bullshit!" In what way is the CIA more organized? Otherwise, I agree. Civilization is about individuals believing in something bigger than just themselves - it's about patriotism, and contributing to the welfare and security of your society/country. So every society has it's legends of heroism in battle... WZ notes how this stuff gets twisted to promote carnage in every diverse culture.
This song is black comedy like so many Zevon songs. It contrasts the heroic image of soldiers and war that his generation received from their WW2 generation parents with the ugly realities of modern dirty proxy wars. Remember that the country is completely disillusioned in 1978 with the CIA and the cold war proxy wars in Vietnam and other "third world" countries. The story of the the life and death of a single mercenary soldier. Was he defending his country? Why did he want to go to Africa and kill for money? Very dark. the heroic tone of the music is ironic, yet we are drawn into a sympathy, especially when the CIA beheads him and he becomes a legend. Roland is just a bit of a psychopath who wanted to kill and he ends up dying at the hands of larger mor organized psychopath group, the CIA.
I cry "Bullshit!" In what way is the CIA more organized? Otherwise, I agree. Civilization is about individuals believing in something bigger than just themselves - it's about patriotism, and contributing to the welfare and security of your society/country. So every society has it's legends of heroism in battle... WZ notes how this stuff gets twisted to promote carnage in every diverse culture.
I cry "Bullshit!" In what way is the CIA more organized? Otherwise, I agree. Civilization is about individuals believing in something bigger than just themselves - it's about patriotism, and contributing to the welfare and security of your society/country. So every society has it's legends of heroism in battle... WZ notes how this stuff gets twisted to promote carnage in every diverse culture.