This episode "Little Pink Houses in My Hometown of Allentown" is a "threefer" on the death of the American dream.
Several big 80’s hits by prominent rockers detailed the decline of industrialized jobs and the death of middle America and really, indicted America for failing to live up to its promises.
Pink Houses by John Cougar Mellencamp, a top ten hit in 1983
My Hometown by Bruce Springsteen, which went to #6 in 1985, and
Allentown by Billy Joel - released in 1982, went to #17
While Pink Houses’ chorus is often misunderstood to be purely patriotic, it’s a sarcastic reproach of middle America’s declining opportunities. Even Mellencamp called it an “anti-American” song. We’ll look at why this topic was so prevalent in the hits of the 80’s and discuss the songs’ continued resonance.
***Recommendations & Resources***
Check out this Atlantic piece on Pink Houses as a track in their “Complicated Patriotism” feature.
A similar piece from NPR, their “Sound of Your American Dream” mixtape.
Want more info on the economics that caused the shifts in factory closures? There are tons of articles and books written about it, but here's an interesting lesson.
Suggested Pairing: Enjoy some deviled eggs while you listen! Or try this recipe for copycat Taco Bell Meximelts.
****
A wee correction, Joel doesn’t wear a denim jacket in the Allentown video (memory fail) but Springsteen and Mellencamp are absolutely known for it. (Billy’s a leather jacket guy). Note that denim czars Levi Strauss moved their production and manufacturing overseas in the 80’s… here’s where they manufacture now.
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