Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza

Subject: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: GUEST,Ron Davies
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 10:53 PM

Actually I have no idea what the category would be.    It's music, of course, but this rendition now has an added angle.

As a review, I'd say he not only has a good voice but this is a classic parody. He seems to have a great sense of humor--even a faux-gospel approaach.

Check it out on YouTube (don't know how to make the link--maybe somebody else does) but all you have to do is put in Cain and Imagine on your search engine).

They say this video has gone viral.

---

Add a link or it's pure BS. --mudelf

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 11:20 PM

Cain/Imagine

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: michaelr
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 11:47 PM

Cain is in no way "faux-gospel". He's the real thing, a fire-breathing, bible-thumping Southern Baptist minister. He does have an OK voice.

What's offensive about this parody is that he is also a pizza-chain owner. That's not cool for messing with the sainted John Lennon.

So the category would be "self-serving quasi-advertising crap".

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: GUEST,Ron Davies
Date: 19 Oct 11 - 12:38 AM

C'mon Michael, you need a humor transplant.

It was done in 1981, I believe, at a press convention in Omaha--like Gridiron in DC.   Just unearthed recently.

And as I said, it's a classic great parody.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: GUEST,Ron Davies
Date: 19 Oct 11 - 12:50 AM

1991

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Oct 11 - 02:51 AM

The Christian Science Monitor has videos of Cain singing three songs, plus a bit of background information. I gotta hand it to him, he's not bad as a singer.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Ron Davies
Date: 19 Oct 11 - 08:33 AM

"All I am saying is 'Give pizza a chance'. " This Lennon rendition ranks right up there with Tina Fey and Sarah on SNL.

Jan says the only thing the US does right is humor during presidential campaigns (and of course this one was actually done quite a while ago). But she admits we're pretty good at humor.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: GUEST,SirCoughsalot
Date: 19 Oct 11 - 05:59 PM

I like John Lennon, and his music, but I'm not going to put him on an untouchable pedestal. Politics aside, I think this is hilarious.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Oct 11 - 07:19 PM

Yeah, Ron,
There's a lot of clever humor during presidential elections - remember Obama Girl? Unfortunately, the candidates themselves seldom engage in humor. I gotta hand it to Cain for breaking that mold. Come to think of it, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan were pretty good at humor.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Jeri
Date: 19 Oct 11 - 07:35 PM

Joe, the video/song is from years ago when Cain was still at Godfather's Pizza.

Bush was pretty funny too when he meant to be, but it's up to the joke writers. I'm not sayin' anything about when he didn't mean to be.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Kent Davis
Date: 19 Oct 11 - 08:00 PM

In case you missed it, here's a earlier thread about Mr. Cain's singing: thread.cfm?threadid=140589

Kent

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Ron Davies
Date: 19 Oct 11 - 10:58 PM

One of the things I find fascinating about this--even the thread itself--is that it illustrates an intriguing aspect of another topic: religion.

Two categories of people seem to find no humor at all in religion:   rabid fundamentalists and rabid atheists.

Fortunately there are a fair number of us in the middle.

My general philosophy is that if you look for humor everywhere, you'll find it. So why not?

I'm particularly impressed by the fact that Cain, a strong believer, is still willing to spoof gospel music with this song. And anybody who doesn't think he is doing so just hasn't been to enough gospel concerts.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Genie
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 02:56 AM

Ron, you beat me to the punch. I was gonna say Cain chose the wrong Lennon song to parody - he should have sung "All We Are Saying Is Give Pizza A Chance."

Genie

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Ron Davies
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 08:44 AM

Actually, Genie, Cain (or whoever wrote the parody) beat us both.    If you listen to the whole clip, you hear he does both songs--"Give Pizza A Chance" is the big "emotional" climax of his presentation.

He spoofs Lennon, gospel music, and himself in one 5 minute segment of that 1991 Omaha show.

And does it all with masterful flair.

Too bad some people can't distinguish between his entertaining chops and his crackpot economic ideas. You sure don't have to swallow 999 to appreciate this clip.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 02:14 PM

A funny concept that doesn't hold up for four minutes.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Stringsinger
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 06:38 PM

Imagine there's no Herman
Imagine there's no Cain
Imagine no Republicans
to cause the country pain.

Imagine there's no flat tax
or a scam called "nine, nine, nine"

oy,oy,oy,oy,oy.

Some say that he's a madman
But I say he's just another jerk
Who wants to keep the people poor enough
To give them part time work.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Ron Davies
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 08:47 PM

Somehow, Stringsinger, the sense of humor in Cain's approach is missing in yours. Wonder why that is.

It really is possible to enjoy Cain's contribution on its own terms, not taking it deadly seriously. Certainly not swallowing 999--but without quite the bitterness you exhibit, which is only useful when preaching to the choir.

But if you'd like to make a video of yourself in a choir-robe singing your song, I'm sure we'd love to see it.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Stringsinger
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 08:20 PM

I do not enjoy Cain's contribution because I think that it's stupid. The 999 is also.

Somehow, the sense of humor in Cain's approach is missing. I know why that is.
It's because he is derisive of John Lennon and you don't have to belong to any choir
to appreciate that.

Who's this "we" Kimosabe?

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Bobert
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 08:38 PM

Cain's voice is better than his pizza... I bought one and the box tasted better than the pizza...

B;~)

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Ron Davies
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 11:47 PM

He took Lennon's song and did a parody of it--or his staff did. Most parodies are not reverential of the original, you may have noticed. Or maybe you haven't. Parodies happen every day.   So sorry it offended your tender sensibilities.

The vehement reaction by some posters is truly intriguing. Are you by some chance an atheist?    It seems or some reason that those looking always to be offended--by any number of things-- tend to be atheists, at least on Mudcat.    Another poster already mentioned "the sainted John Lennon"--and does not appear to have been totally kidding. Wonder if there's a connection--maybe atheists have their own saints and don't take kindly to perceived "sacrilege."

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Ron Davies
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 11:50 PM

Obviously this is in response to "derisive", not to Bobert-- who is giving this exactly the degree of seriousness it deserves.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Ron Davies
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 12:12 AM

By the way, I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like to see a video of you, Stringsinger, in a choir robe singing your song.    Sounds like a winner.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: michaelr
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 12:14 AM

Give it a rest, Ron. The more you go on, the more you reinforce the impression that you started this thread in order to start fights with folks who respond.

A sense of humor is like a taste in music. Everyone's is different.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Kent Davis
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 12:20 AM

Ron Davies, I'm with you.

Kent

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Ron Davies
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 12:34 AM

Well, it sure do seem a bit strange to get such a vehement reaction over a parody.   Maybe there's something to the "atheist saint" theory.   The poster does indeed protest too much. But obviously it's just a theory.

As for "picking a fight", I sure hope the person holding a gun to the heads of those who believe that idea takes the gun away soon.   It must be terrible to not only be forced to read something you disagree with, but also forced to respond.

And if there had been no response, the thread would have been dead.   Such a tragedy that would have been.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Ron Davies
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 12:28 PM

One more thing.

"doesn't hold up"

De gustibus....

However, I would beg to differ--and partly for the reason I cited. I have been to quite a few gospel concerts, and I know one of the most effective techniques is gradually building tension and volume, using lots of repetition, over the course of a rather long song (and 4 minutes is short for a gospel song. )

That seems to be mostly Cain's model-and it's part of what makes this spoof, as I said, wonderful, since, by contrast with the usual theme of a gospel song, his topic here is truly absurd.

Another technique, also used here, is, at the emotional peak, to change the refrain, which Cain does by changing the song.

I suggest therefore that it's likely--not definite but likely--that the more a person is familiar with gospel concerts, the more likely he or she will appreciate Cain's efforts here.

YMMV. No problem.

Interestingly enough , these techniques are used in other music also.   I'd say Ravel in "Bolero" uses them--the change in key at the end of "Bolero" being analogous to the change of song in Cain's "Imagine" performance.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Stringsinger
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 12:51 PM

Ron, why do you dwell on choir robes? Is it part of your religion?

It isn't that the song offends people because of it's content. It's just that it happens to be stupid and not funny. It's not a model for anything in it's political polemics.

Cain is a Godfather all right and representative of the crooks that pay their dues to Wall Street.

I see no sense at all in Cain's humor. It's not a decent parody but a poorly executed slur.

The only reason that this thread goes on is that Ron seems to be promoting Cain. I think that as a model for parody, Cain's little snide diatribe is a house of cards and nothing to be emulated.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Ron Davies
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 12:57 PM

Cain's song is about pizza.   Please enlighten us about its "political polemics".

This should be interesting.




And I hope you can find a choir robe soon.   We'd really like to see your video.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Stringsinger
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 01:05 PM

There you go again, Ron, with your religious references. BTW, which side are you on?

Cain is a political polemic in himself, a socially irresponsible self-made man with his Godfather (appropriate mantle) which affects everything he writes and says.

A parodist, he's not and to say that the song is about pizza is misleading.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Ron Davies
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 01:18 PM

Should I quote you the entire text of the song?    Holy mackerel, was your sense of humor shot off in the war?

Again, we are only talking about this song. I have stated his economic views are 'crackpot'.

So please tell us where the "political polemics" are in this song.

Still waiting.

Somehow I think it may be a long wait.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Ron Davies
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 01:22 PM

And I'd only like to see you singing your song in a choir robe since it would be wonderfully entertaining. No religious slant necessary or implied--it would be just a costume, as it is for Cain in his rendition.

Please don't disappoint your fans.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Stringsinger
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 01:34 PM

Hey Ron, you seem to be fixated on choir robes.

As for my being entertaining, I think you might be dissing me in a snide kind of way but I understand that's what many do on Mudcat. I have more important songs to sing.

I can't explain the "political polemics" to you because I have explained it and you don't acknowledge it which makes me think you support Cain and what he does.

What humor are you talking about?

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Stringsinger
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 01:37 PM

If you see me on video it will be because I will be singing songs about the 99 percenters and how they are being robbed by the one percent, many of whom belong in jail.

Here we go!!

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Ron Davies
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 02:08 PM

You have told us the song about pizza is a "political polemic".


Let's try some of the lyrics:



Imagine there's no pizza

I couldn't if I tried

Only eating tacos

Or Kentucky Fried



I'll have to say the political polemic in those lines is cleverly disguised.

Please decipher them for us, so we can be as wise as you are.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Stringsinger
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 02:23 PM

"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music."
― Friedrich Nietzsche

1. Who is Cain?
2. Who is John Lennon?

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 02:33 PM

Ron, I myself have written a few parodies, but I'm not big on them. Weird Al and Ray Stephens made careers out of them, but even a strong one is like a joke you've already heard...unless you're with someone else who hasn't hear it and you can sort of re-experience it through them.
I just think the concept here is rather humorous, but is probably much funnier to people in the pizza business than it is to me. I don't care if he's making fun of a Lennon song or not...nobody was more irreverent than John, after all. I just think the material is weak compared to the trouble they went to to present it. And I don't have much of a feeling one way or another about Cain. I do think he'll lose some of the Christian Conservative vote with a name like that.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: GUEST,josepp
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 02:35 PM

I don't care about parodies as long as the original artist isn't getting paid for it and guy who did it isn't getting paid for it--after all, it's not his song.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Stringsinger
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 02:39 PM

Cain is gaining the Christian vote. He is a Tea Party darling. He is top on the Repub slate now.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: GUEST,josepp
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 04:22 PM

IOW, that's four more years for Obama.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 04:33 PM

But its CAIN, Frank! More than a coincidence? Does he bear the Mark of Cain? I mean, these people are big on superstition and every coincidence is a message from God, right? Give it time.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: GUEST,josepp
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 04:44 PM

Well, you can imagine if this guy was a liberal or a democrat what their reaction would be. "HE'S CAIN!" "HE'S A MURDERER!" "HE DEFIED GOD!!!" But he's their darling (at least for now) so all that is conveniently forgotten. I remember when the band Kiss came to Texas in the 70s, some religious group picketed them with a sign that read, "JUDAS BETRAYED JESUS WITH A KISS!" Honestly.

Subject: RE: Review: Cain: Imagine There's No Pizza
From: Ron Davies
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 09:50 PM

Well, I've given this a lot of thought--up for nights on end trying to crack the code.   But I think I've finally done it.    Every time Cain says "pizza", that's actually code for "flat tax".

Thus: "You're lucky you have pizza to feed your kids for you" becomes "You're lucky you have flat tax to feed your kids..."

When Cain sang this song in 1991, he knew he would be running for president in 2012 on the issue of tax changes.

Otherwise the poster who saw in this song from 1991 about pizza a "political polemic" is totally clueless and/ or blinded by his veneration for St. John Lennon to see anything else.

And we know that's not possible.