Pete Townsend wasn't thinking about Speaker of the House John Boehner when he wrote the song "Behind Blue Eyes," but Townsend has said that the song is about the temptations that come with power, and it seems to be an ideal theme song for Boehner. Boehner came up from poverty through struggle. It took him 7 years to get through college as he worked several jobs to support his education. Now he is a wealthy man, perpetually tan, and third in line from leadership of this country. Boehner has been in Washington for 20 years, working his way up to leadership of his party with techniques such as handing out campaign contributions from Tobacco lobbyists on the house floor, and yet he still claims to be "an outsider." As the new Republican Majority Leader in Congress, he is leading a campaign to cut regulations that protect the common American and the environment, bring more power to corporations, kill universal healthcare, and keep the wealthiest Americans protected from taxes that might help those school children he can't even look at with out crying.
Major League ball players get "at bat" songs. Why not politicians? Imagine John Boehner singing "Behind Blue Eyes" at his podium, giant gavel in hand, the hot white spotlight shining down on him, and tears running down his face.
The lyrics:
Behind Blue Eyes, The Who
Written by Pete Townshend
No one knows what it's like to be the bad man
To be the sad man behind blue eyes
No one knows what it's like
To be hated, to be fated to telling only lies
But my dreams, they aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance that's never free
No one knows what it's like
To feel these feelings like I do and I blame you!
No one bites back as hard on their anger
None of my pain and woe can show through
But my dreams, they aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours only lonely
My love is vengeance, that's never free
When my fist clenches, crack it open
Before I use it and lose my cool
When I smile, tell me some bad news
Before I laugh and act like a fool
And If I swallow anything evil
Put your finger down my throat
And If I shiver, please give me a blanket
Keep me warm, let me wear your coat
No one knows what it's like to be the bad man
To be the sad man behind blue eyes