Reaganomics
Reaganomics is the twelfth song on the 2016 Lemon Demon album Spirit Phone.
| Reaganomics | |
| |
| Song | |
| Artist | Lemon Demon |
|---|---|
| Written by | Neil Cicierega |
| Appears on | Spirit Phone |
| Sung by | Neil Cicierega |
| Duration | 3:31 |
| Genre | Pop, Synth Pop |
| Language | English |
| Links: | Video (uses 2012 demo) Spotify Bandcamp Youtube] 2011 Demo 2012 Demo |
Description
Neil created this song because he thought the word "reaganomics" sounded cool and could not find any other songs titled it. However, by the time of recording Spirit Phone's commentary track, he found another song titled Reaganomics which he jokingly said "is more to-the-point" than his. The song features cheesy synth passages with vapid political jargon vocals all centered around wanting to get you to vote for Ronald Reagan.
Neil spoke of the song in his commentary of Spirit Phone,
"I consider Reagan a pretty bad president, though I wasn’t conscious then. This was written before Trump, and I was fascinated that an actor became president, and that he was canonized and that everyone just takes it for granted now. Of course he did serve as a governor… and it doesn’t seem as crazy now but… I was looking at all these old pictures of Reagan dressed all slickly in his suits, and I felt that amping up the superficial charm to sell people on something that doesn’t really make sense works all too well in a pop song. You just have to say “baby” a lot, and make endless promises cause the song ends in 3 minutes. And it was astounding to me to realize how stepping into the role of a snake oil salesman bent on deceiving the listener- how easy that made it to write a passable pop song. And now anytime I hear a song when some guy is reaching out his hand and asking you to trust him in his heart I just wonder… What scam he’s running?"
The quote that Reagan says within the song is not real, but rather a result of very light sentence mixing.[1] This quote comes from Reagan's 1981 inaugural address.
History
A demo of this song was released to the public, as Neil thought that he was taking too long on the album's release. The song was changed drastically between the 2012 and 2016 versions, with entirely re-recorded instrumentals and vocals. Many of the Illemonati did not like the new version, as we were used to the old one, but most of us like them both equally now. There is also another demo version for this song, with an even rougher mix and toned-back vocal delivery.
Lyrics
RONALD REAGAN: In this present crisis, Government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the solution to our problem. NEIL: Are you unhappy, girl? In this confusing world, Where everything you earn Is getting left to burn, If it were up to me, Then living would be free. And I can give you that, And I can give you that! They'll take Your money Into Their greasy hands. And spend (They do this to) Your money (Disrespect you) And take (I know Kung Fu) Away your land. (I will save you) 'Cause you're worth saving baby! Deregulating, baby! I'm Ronald Reagan baby! I'm Ronald Reagan, yeah! I'll save You honey, You'll never Be alone. I'll save (If you love me) The business (Say you love me) That you (They hate freedom) Will someday own. (I'll defeat them) Not like in comics baby, With economics baby! With reaganomics baby! Atomic bombing, yeah! REAGAN & (NEIL): Government is not the solution to our problem. (ooooh ooh-ooh) Government is the solution to our problem. (ooooh ooh-ooh!) Government is not the solution to our problem. (ooooh ooh-ooh) Government is the solution to our problem. (ooooh ooh-ooh ooh-ooh-oooh!) NEIL: Are you unhappy, girl? In this confusing world, Where everything you earn Is getting left to burn. If it were up to me Then money would be free! And I can give you that, And I can give you that! If you just hold my hand, (If you just hold my hand) If you just close your eyes, (If you just close your eyes) If you get in my car, (If you get in my car) I'll take you for a ride! (I'll take you for a ride) With reaganomics, baby With reaganomics, baby! With reaganomics, baby, Baby, baby, baby, Yeah!! (With reaganomics) (With reaganomics) (With reaganomics)
Music Video
| Lemon Demon - "Reaganomics" | |
| Music Video | |
| Creator | Neil Cicierega |
|---|---|
| Cast | Ronald Reagan, various others |
| Crew | Neil Cicierega |
| Released | April 28, 2012 |
| Duration | 03:27 |
Alternate Versions
Trivia
- This song is largely in 6/4 time, noted in the album's commentary track. Multiple other songs on this album, such as Ancient Aliens, feature this time signature.
- The clips seen in the music video for this song are from the 1964 film The Killers, Reagan's final flick before getting into politics in California.
- In his 2016 review of Spirit Phone the self-proclaimed "internet's busiest music nerd" Anthony Fantano said this song was "a little oppressive to listen to," funny considering the song's theme and context.
- ↑ Neil states in the commentary track, "I edited it to be more nonsensical, though it was pretty nonsensical to begin with."