The Waterboys
Don’t Even Have To Say His Name
If you don’t already associate folk rock with pointed political commentary, you’re likely not paying attention. Nevertheless, The Waterboys have released a reminder with their sharp and concrete jab at… well, if I have to tell you I feel I’m doing the song’s title a disservice.
‘Don’t Even Have To Say His Name’ is a song where subtext has been eschewed. In fact, it’s so direct you start to wonder if the expletive is a manifestation of anger at the crimes against humanity, or an all-too-plausible additional list item.
Musically, it’s a bouncy folky track with the acoustic guitar joining the rhythm section in creating the foundation, with piano adding some tunefulness for an occasional Hammond flicker to zip across. It’s almost like The Waterboys want to make sure you’re listening to the lyrics.
There are two versions of this track on the single; a clean version and the proper version. You know which one you ought to be playing. Go do it.
Don’t Even Have To Say His Name Visualizer
Watch The Waterboys – ‘Don’t Even Have To Say His Name’ (Visualizer).
Don’t Even Have To Say His Name Lyrics
Who assembled this enterprise
To deny the evidence of our eyes?
Who presided over this offense
Against decency and common sense?
Whose dedication, whose labour
Turned neighbour against neighbour?
Who indeed should we blame?
I don’t even have to say the motherfucker’s nameWho put the dogwhistle back in style?
Who makes every white supremacist smile?
Who put violence in peoples’ heads?
The spider at the heart of the web
Who granted ICE immunity
To murder with impunity?
Who indeed should we blame?
I don’t even have to say the motherfucker’s nameTwo trains are rolling across America tonight
I can hear their wheels, I can see their lights
Well I don’t know, but maybe you hear them too
One leads to Auschwitz, one leads to the newWho took democracy and its sacred vote
And wrapped a noose around its throat?
Which insurrectionist and bogus King
Buried the White House under bling?
Who threatens like other people breathe?
Insults women every day on TV?
Who turned this country we hold dear
Into a land of fear?
Who indeed should we blame?
I don’t even have to
I don’t even have to say
I don’t even have to say the motherfucker’s name
Written by Fenton on
