11/9/06: Jerry Reed: “Rockin’ In Bagdad” (1957)

So the election returns weren’t so bad. Conservative causes did well. We got rid of some lousy Republicans. And wasn’t it nice to see those news reporters finally happy about something? We saw Wolf Blitzer backstage on Election Night 2004, and he looked like he was going to cry.

There’s still a lot to celebrate today—as the Iraqi people will be glad to remind us. That’s why it’s time to talk about “Rockin’ In Bagdad.” We’ve avoided writing anything about this fine tune for the past three years, despite the song being in heavy rotation around the office. It just seemed wrong to enjoy a fictional Western liberation while our soldiers remain at risk.

Saddam Hussein, however, is finally getting what should thus always be to tyrants. It’s okay to party along with the formerly oppressed.

“Rockin’ In Bagdad” comes from Jerry Reed’s brief stint as a struggling rockabilly act, and he was as gifted then as he would later be as a philosophical country jester. Here’s the start of Reed’s fine musings:

    Over in Bagdad in the burning sand
    We've got a new kinda rhythm that's real cool and
    They put a beat to the rhythm of their ancient land
    Then what do they get?
    A crazy style
    And it's driving old Bagdad wild

From there, Reed provides further details of locals welcoming the big American sound as a liberating force:

    A long time ago, back in old Bagdad
    The dance of the seven veils was the fad
    The sultan got hip to these rhythm 'n blues
    And now he’s got a pair of rocking shoes
    His harem is a-bopping to a boogie beat
    They even got the camels hopping down the street
    A snake charmer threw his little flute away
    Got a guitar now and he’s learning to play

Complete lyrics here, for the full rockin' experience.

There was a point we tried to make in our discussion of They Call Me MISTER Tibbs! Elections are important, but individuals are what change the world. So good riddance to the creeps and best of luck to the remaining good guys and gals who want to drive old Baghdad wild. In contrast, terrorists are literally cheering for Nancy Pelosi.

Make it your own: Fortunately, the fine Bear Family label didn’t turn their Jerry Reed rockabilly collection into one of their mammoth box sets. Most likely, Reed’s short-lived career didn’t make that an option. You still get 30 fine tracks on Here I Am, which remains surprisingly affordable.

 

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