The Decemberists’ “16 Military Wives” has to be one of the more clever songs that comes with a social statement attached. And the video, directed by Aaron Stewart, is just laugh out loud funny. It reminds me of Wes Anderson’s film ‘Rushmore’. It’s based at a boarding school where Henry has a deep-seated resentment for his schoolmate rival. So during a Model UN club meeting Henry, the US representative, takes out his frustrations…on Luxembourg.
As for the ending, well, who knows. It could happen…
Sixteen military wives
Thirty-two softly focused, brightly-colored eyes
Staring at the natural tan
Of thirty-two gently clenching, wrinkled little hands
Seventeen company men
Out of which only twelve will make it back again
Sergeant sends a letter to five military wives
His tears drip down from ten little eyes
Cheer them on to their rivals!
Cause America can
And America can’t say no
And America does
If America says it’s so
It’s so
And the anchorperson on t.v.
Goes la-di-da-di-da
Fifteen celebrity minds
Leading their fifteen sordid, wretched, checkered lives
Will they find their solution in time?
Using fifteen pristine moderate liberal minds
Eighteen academy chairs
Out of which only seven really even care
Doling out a garland to five celebrity minds
They’re humbly taken by surprise
Cheer them on to their rivals!
Cause America can
And America can’t say no
And America does
If America says it’s so
It’s so
And the anchorperson on t.v.
Goes la-di-da-di-da-didi-didi-da
La-di-da-di-da-didi-didi-da
Fourteen cannibal kings
Wondering blithely what the dinner bell will bring
Fifteen celebrity minds
Served in a leafy bed of sixteen military wives
Cheer them on to their rivals!
Cause America can
And America can’t say no
And America does
If America says it’s so
It’s so
And the anchorperson on t.v.
Goes la-di-da-di-da-didi-didi-da
La-di-da-di-da-didi-didi-da