Despite Al Gore’s best efforts, it seems that the Live Earth concerts (aka “private jets for climate change”) were largely underwhelming. Despite performances by many big name acts, this was not Live Aid for the planet.
Not every band was eager to play the show. Some, like British indie-pop sensations the Arctic Monkeys, found the very idea of a megastar rock concert to combat global warming to be a bit much. “It’s a bit patronising for us 21 year olds to try to start to change the world,” explained the band’s drummer. “Especially when we’re using enough power for 10 houses just for (stage) lighting. It’d be a bit hypocritical.”
I love the Arctic Monkeys new album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, so this comment is just a good excuse to post one of their lyrics. So here’s a taste of “Teddy Picker” off the new album.
Despair to the point till they provoke
The punchline before they have told the joke
The sheer desperation to be seen
Staring at the television screen . . .She saw it and she grabbed it and it wasn’t what it seemed
The kids all dream of making it, whatever that means
Another variation on a theme
A tangle on the television and the magazine
D’you reckon that they do it for a joke?
D’you reckon that they make ’em take an oath?
That says “we are defenders
Of any poseur or professional pretender around”
Here are the full lyrics, and here’s a video of the band performing the song live.