Paladin Playlist 44

Oh man. The hesitation on this one is real. I spent all day trying to figure out if I should share this one or not. Is it too silly? Is it too controversial? What do those even mean in the context of a writer writing? In the end, I decided to be honest to you guys and myself and share this because, for reals, I spent a good chunk of my day listening to this song and plotting out story to it.

Real American by Rick Derringer. I'm just going to talk about the song for now, and the song, the words, the feeling it conveys... if you're not inspired, you have a stone for a heart. Or maybe you're just not American and an uber sense of patriotism is literally a foreign concept. Either way, while I can say that I'm not out waving flags and saluting bald eagles every day, this song does for me what the Space Jam theme does for my interest in basketball. 

Now, as someone who's traveled abroad, experienced a mind shift in national awareness, and as someone who most certainly intends to travel and live abroad again, let me say that I don't think there's anything wrong with being proud to be American. Every Olympics and World Cup the entire planet gets in on the act. And this song is about... well... being someone to inspire others, stand up for what's right, and to never be pushed around by those who abuse their power.

It's a very simple song, really. There's not a lot of hidden meaning to it. It brings to mind archetypes of good. Obviously Hulk Hogan, but also Captain America. Superman. Duke from GI Joe. Rocky Balboa. Wonder Woman... sort of. Stephen Colbert. Okay, it's starting to get a little silly again.

Point is, the song is empowering. It's moving. It's great for writing. 
So, even though it's not July 4th anymore, I hope you'll enjoy today's Paladin Playlist as I present to you Rick Derringer's Real American.

DFTBA

Oh! Wait! Windham and Rotundo! It was their song before Hulk!