Sun City (1985)

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Sun City is a notable protest song written in 1985 by Steven Van Zandt. The song was produced by Van Zandt and Arthur Baker and recorded by Artists United Against Apartheid to deliver a message concerning to the South African government's apartheid policy. The song declared that all 54 - some notable name that involved was Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Keith Richard, and Bono - artists involved would refuse to perform at Sun City, a resort which was was set inside the bantustan of Bophuthatswana, one of several internationally unrecognized states created by the South African government to forcefully relocate its black population.[1]

Key Lyrics

Relocation to phony homelands

Separation of families i can't understand

23 million can't vote because they're black

We're stabbing our brothers and sisters in the back

We're gonna say


Ain't gonna play sun city

Our government tells us we're doing all we can

Constructive engagement is ronald reagan's plan

Meanwhile people are dying and giving up hope

Well this quiet diplomacy ain't nothing but a joke

We're gonna say


Ain't gonna play sun city

I ain't gonna play no no

Reception

Billboard magazine's review of the single stated that it "showcases an overwhelming array of all-star voices, keeps up a blistering urban/dance tempo, and pulls no punches on the message."[2]

Sun City" reached 38th position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1985.[3] Only about half from all American radio stations played "Sun City" when the song released. Most of the stations were condemning the lyrics' straightforward criticism towards former US President Ronald Reagan's policy of "constructive engagement", specifically George Clinton's and Joey Ramone's lines in the song which said "Our government tells us / We're doing all we can / Constructive engagement is / Ronald Reagan's plan." (Ramone also expressed open discontent and criticism towards him with the Ramones song "Bonzo Goes to Bitburg").[4] Sun City was banned in Apartheid South Africa itself.[5]

References

  1. Sun City. Wikipedia. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  2. Singles. 26 October 1985. Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  3. Hot 100. 14 December 1985. Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  4. Rock History 101: The Ramones' 'Bonzo Goes To Bitburg'. 27 June 2008. Consequence of Sound (Cos). Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  5. Stevie Wonder and 5 Other Artists Banned in Apartheid South Africa: The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Mode. 26 March 2015. Music Times. Retrieved 26 January 2021.