The Count of Pennsylvania

Album: not on an album (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Running to 4 minutes 44 seconds, "The Count of Pennsylvania" is not quite a protest song, but ain't a bad substitute for one. This solo acoustic number was written by Michael Penn - the elder brother of the A-list actor Sean Penn. Penn the Elder wrote it for a blog series on the 2008 Presidential Election race, and updated it halfway into Barack Obama's second term. Obama - the first Black president - was billed as the candidate of change. Penn's verdict is clearly plus ça change, or as Al Stewart put it in "Nostradamus," the more it changes, the more it stays the same, i.e. inflation, tent cities, foreign wars... how is this administration so different from the previous one?

    A mob is a democracy
    That buys a rope and picks a tree


    If only!
  • The song also contains an adaptation of a quote from Jesus on the cross, Luke 23:34 from the English Standard Version of the Bible. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments: 1

  • Gary Weinstein from Syracuse NyA REALLY important song! Not sure Michael even knows. I’ve been loyal to the original full length version since first hearing it years ago. Where has it gone? HOW CAN I GET THE ORIGINAL TRACK?
    Micheal has been a favorite of mine since his career launched. Brilliant word play talent, hook-driven infectious sardonic pop, echoes of Lennon/McCartney.
    Help me find the Original Track! Thx.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Ed Roland of Collective Soul

Ed Roland of Collective SoulSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Shine," "December," "The World I Know" and other Collective Soul hits.

Joe Jackson

Joe JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Joe talks about the challenges of of making a Duke Ellington tribute album, and tells the stories behind some of his hits.

Chris Isaak

Chris IsaakSongwriter Interviews

Chris tells the story of "Wicked Game," talks milkshakes and moonpies at Sun Records, and explains why women always get their way.

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian OrchestraSongwriter Interviews

Writing great prog metal isn't easy, especially when it's for 60 musicians.