Well, Phil, it was the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston that bannned I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.

Is that where the phrase "banned in Boston" came from?

...but anyhow, about the Red Headed Stranger, all I can say is that I still like it, even now that I've taken the time to read the lyrics closely. It's a cowboy song written by a Virginia movie critic, so it's certainly not authentic. It does paint a portrait of a man overcome by grief to the point that he is driven to violence.

And then there's the brief "Blue Rock, Montana" song that uses the "Stranger" chorus. Another depiction of an extreme response.

But it's true that people make extreme responses to minor provocations. Ever flip your finger or honk at a driver who cuts you off in traffic? Better hope he doesn't have a gun.

-Joe-