The best satirical songs ever

Janet at the Art of Getting By poses a question this week that is once again intriguing. I do o love the music questions! She asks, "What are the best satire songs?"

1. Almost everything by Randy Newman, but especially "Political Science," which some would say is not a protest but a blueprint for action. Here's a taste:

"No one likes us, I don't know why.
We may not be perfect, but heaven knows we try.
But all around even our old friends put us down.
Let's drop the big one and see what happens.

...Now Asia's crowded and Europe's too old.
Africa's far too hot, and Canada's too cold.
And South America stole our name; let's drop the big one;
There'll be no one left to blame us.

...Well, boom goes London, and boom Paree.
More room for you and more room for me.
And every city the whole world round
Will just be another American town.
Oh, how peaceful it'll be; we'll set everybody free;
You'll have Japanese kimonos, baby, there'll be Italian shoes for me.
They all hate us anyhow, so let's drop the big one now.
Let's drop the big one now!"

Honorable mention for Mr. Newman include "I Love L.A.," "Burn On," and "Rednecks."

2. "Born in the USA," by Bruce Springsteen. Memo to Ronald Reagan: This was NOT a rock companion to Lee Greenwood's "God Bles the USA." It's about promises betrayed.

3. "American Idiot," by Green Day. Actually, let's just make that the whole album. It's like Billie Joe Armstrong's version of "A Modest Proposal," by Jonathan Swift.

4. "Little Boxes," by Malvina Reynolds. Ahh, suburbia! Home of individuality!

5. "Bald Headed Men," by Christine Lavin. Well, at least I think she's being sarcastic....

6. "Money for Nothing," by the Dire Straits. Making fun of MTV, and getting MTV to support you in it. Brilliant.

7. "Peace. Love, and Understanding," by Elvis Costello. What's so funny 'bout that?

8. "Prom Theme," by Fountains of Wayne. Someday, kids, you won't care about your date puking in the fountain in a rented baby blue tux. I promise.

9. "Making Whoopee!"either the Dr. John and Rickie Lee Jones version or the Harry Nilsson versions, both of which are superb. And in that vein, we also have

10. "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" by the Georgia Satellites. So sue me; I still love it. And then there's

11. "White Wedding," by Billy Idol. I loved that sneer on this one.

There's more, but I get compulsive about things like this.