Songs about vigilante anti-heroes (Mangione)

Subject: Songs about vigilante anti-heroes (Mangione)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Dec 24 - 05:43 PM

The story big in the news now (December 2024) is of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson by Luigi Mangione. And a lot of legal scholars, news reporters, and pundits have remarked on the huge fanbase that has arisen following Mangione. Some are puzzled by the support of his act and offer of fake alibis and such by those followers. There are fan pages and posts all over social media.

I haven't looked into it closely, but in what I have heard and read, I haven't come across the terms "vigilante" or "antihero" to describe the response to Mangione, but that seems to actually be the case. He is like a modern day Joaquin Murrieta or Jesse James as far as a large swath of the public is concerned. Maybe a John Dillinger.

Despite his privileged background, Mangione was able to work up a lot anger and hatred for health insurance companies and the head of this largest one in particular. His murderous act spoke to millions of people who have been victimized by these companies. People who, like apparently most Americans, have a soft spot for the anti-hero.

This seems to be something that Mudcat can address musically. In several search attempts I found lots of murder ballads but the closest I come to a similar character is Jesse James (above) and his taking on the banks in his era or Bonnie and Clyde.

UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect Luigi Mangione faces federal charges after waiving extradition

Similar figures (modern, historical, and fictional) include Robin Hood, the Scarlet Pimpernel, Michael Corleone (The Godfather), D. B. Cooper, Thelma and Louise, Tony Soprano. The character Keller in Lawrence Block mysteries. Stories where murder seems an acceptable outcome.

Will there be any songs about Mangione?

Subject: RE: Songs about vigilante anti-heroes (Mangione)
From: gillymor
Date: 19 Dec 24 - 06:15 PM

Vigilante Man- Ry Cooder Woody Guthrie Dust Bowl Ballad that doesn't exactly fit this sad story but a good song nonetheless.

Subject: RE: Songs about vigilante anti-heroes (Mangione)
From: gillymor
Date: 19 Dec 24 - 06:21 PM

and Woody's Pretty Boy Floyd by The Byrds.

Subject: RE: Songs about vigilante anti-heroes (Mangione)
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 19 Dec 24 - 08:30 PM

Dear SRS,   

    Interesting ... INTERESTING
   Wary Interesting.

You have a way of connecting, and "cutting to the quick".

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Folk legend ...

Subject: RE: Songs about vigilante anti-heroes (Mangione)
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Dec 24 - 01:56 PM

ChatGPT Luigi Mangione song

https://youtu.be/jMFEe2bUKRo?si=7hVDEQykW6hHEZJk

This is getting way out of hand

Subject: RE: Songs about vigilante anti-heroes (Mangione)
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Dec 24 - 05:20 AM

What's "heroic" about shooting an unarmed man in the back ?

Subject: RE: Songs about vigilante anti-heroes (Mangione)
From: GUEST,Steve Shaw
Date: 21 Dec 24 - 05:44 AM

Dunno about Ry Cooder and the Byrds. Give me Woody songs sung by Woody any day!

Subject: RE: Songs about vigilante anti-heroes (Mangione)
From: gillymor
Date: 21 Dec 24 - 07:02 AM

Woody was a great songwriter but I've found most of his recordings to be unlistenable. Helluva thing to say on a folk music site and I agree with Guest, I don't think this incident was vigilantism, it was just plain murder.

Subject: RE: Songs about vigilante anti-heroes (Mangione)
From: GUEST,GUEST Thompson
Date: 21 Dec 24 - 11:53 AM

I'd see someone like climate activist Gaie Delap as more songworthy, but America is a country of guns…

Subject: RE: Songs about vigilante anti-heroes (Mangione)
From: GUEST,paperback
Date: 21 Dec 24 - 12:44 PM

I'm seeing some irony here thinking it over this morning.

A man allegedly shoots someone for allegedly using a computer program to allegedly deny his insurance claim then someone uses computer programs to compose a song about it.

Tolkien was right. The servants of the machine won WWII.

Subject: RE: Songs about vigilante anti-heroes (Mangione)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Dec 24 - 01:09 PM

What's "heroic" about shooting an unarmed man in the back ?

That's part of the puzzle.

He was unarmed, but he certainly was dangerous.

Revenge, getting the attention of the insurance business in general, making an example of someone who chose to run a business this way (would it operate that way regardless of who is in charge)?