Tiananmen Square -- 20 years later

20 years since Tank Man showed how one person can make a difference. What's the soundtrack for today?

I'm going with some Mekons, from Edge of The World and Curse. After that, a bit of Dylan. So, what else should go on heavy rotation for the rest of the day?

Give 'Em Enough Rope

I remember when that happened - Patti Smith's "People Have the Power" had came out, which I thought was quite appropriate.

Chumbawumba's "Tiananmen Square" from their excellent "Slap!" LP.

Wow. Coincidence City: Put on a Clash mix of Sandinista Now! and some cuts off of Rope, and had People Have the Power going, too. That's before I read this. Thanks, everyone.

I recall there being a song on fIREHOSE's Flyin' the Flannel called something like "Tiananmen Dream Again", but have no recollection if the lyrics (are there any?) are actually relevant....

Is "Fight The Power" too cliched to be included in today's mix?

"Fight The Power" cannot be cliched.

"hypnotized" system of a down

So who has actually been to Tienanmen Square?

I think Nancy Pelosi has been there. And lots & lots of Chinese people.



Post Edited (06-07-09 09:30)

I have a friend whose daughter is adopted from China (both our boys are adopted from S. Korea, although that has no bearing on this story)...he spent 2.5 weeks in China, including a few days in Beijing. Anyhoo, to hear this guy's take, it seems like the actual square itself was kind of underwhelming (this would've been in 2003)...like Washington Square Park, but bigger.

My song: "Stop Hurting People", the opener from Pete Townshend's All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes.

"So who has actually been to Tienanmen Square?"

I've been there, but missed out on visiting Mao due to a refrigeration malfunction causing him to melt. Thought there was a funny smell that day.

Aitch wrote:

> "So who has actually been to Tienanmen Square?"
>
> I've been there, but missed out on visiting Mao due to a
> refrigeration malfunction causing him to melt. Thought there
> was a funny smell that day.

My wife and I visited Tienanmen Square during our trip to China in 1984. We didn't bother to see Mao. We weren't particularly interested and the line was probably too long. As for the square...it's large, mostly empty, and extremely dreary on a cold, wet, and grey day.