In 1992 Tim Robbins wrote and starred in Bob Roberts, a mock documentary that chronicled the U.S. Senate campaign of a charming, folk-singing conservative from Pennsylvania. Throughout the campaign, Roberts (played by Robbins) is dogged by a nerdy, under-appreciated journalist who attempts to expose Roberts' darker side.  But Roberts silences his critics (including his opponent, played by Gore Vidal) with populist folk tunes, and sings his way all the way to the Senate.

Robbins and his brother David came up with catchy melodies and outrageously funny lyrics for the movie's soundtrack, intending to parody conservative themes such as patriotism and self-reliance.

But some of the "parodies" contained so much conservative "truth" that they produced the opposite of their intended effect on the audience. I can remember howling with laughter watching Roberts perform Complain, which encapsulated the hardline view on welfare that so many -- conservative and liberal -- shared during those years:

According to the Internet Movie Database, Warner Brothers wanted to release the soundtrack; but Robbins refused, thinking people would take his songs out of their intended context. Divorced from the movie's context (a crusading liberal journalist valiantly struggling to expose a right-wing fraud), the songs suddenly became "dangerous."  To this day the Bob Roberts soundtrack is unavailable.

Right Wingers Need Love Too is a new collection of folksy sounding rock songs from Dr. Bruce L. Thiessen, aka Dr. B.L.T., a psychologist who moonlights as a conservative rock and roller. Dr. Thiessen sings and plays rhythm guitar on all eighteen tracks, and boasts several CD's to his name. Conservatives who liked the Bob Roberts soundtrack might find this new CD worth a spin.

The album's weakest songs are those that are closely tied to current events -- even if the lyrics are at times very funny.  For example, in FahrenHYPE 9/11, psychologist Thiessen asks, "I wonder how you got along with Daddy, I wonder if Bush is like your dad." Hollywood Hate Fest is about the Democrats' July 2004 fundraiser in New York City:

In these songs it sometimes seems that the lyrics don't fit very will with the tune. And the song Kerry Flip-Flop simply isn't as funny as it should be.

However, Dr. Thiessen redeems himself on Republican Rock Stars, which asks, "How come there ain't no Republican rock stars," over a catchy beat and groovy saxophone background.  Red, White and Blue, a tribute to the American flag, will remind some listeners of Robert Palmer's band The Power Station, and 6-String Weapon of Mass Construction is reminiscent of U2's anthem 40.

Dr. Thiessen's folksiest-sounding tunes are also very good.  For example, in Right Wingers Need Love Too, Dr. Thiessen reminds pundits that "vicious words cut like a knife."  Other solid songs are What Part of Right Wing Don't You Understand, a folksy attack on Linda Ronstadt, and Treadin' on the Wrong Side (of the Right Side of Me).

A sample of Merle Hasn't Lost His Fightin' Side is available is here.  

While Dr. Thiessen is still working to perfect his musical style, his politics are certainly a welcome antidote to those of the Dixie Chicks and Tim Robbins. And unlike Robbins, Dr. Thiessen isn't afraid to share his music.  

Right Wingers Need Love Too and additional audio samples are available on Dr. B.L.T.'s website.
     
Andrew Alexander is Co-Editor of IntellectualConservative.

Email Andrew Alexander

Send this Article to a Friend