Top 10: Rocking the Iranian Revolution

Technorati tags: Humor, Top Ten, Iran, Green Revolution

Walski doesn’t know offhand if Mahmoud Ahmadinejad likes rock. In all likelihood, Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader (and not Diana Ross, as some people might think), detests such decadent music. Actually, Walski is almost certain that this is the case.

But the situation in Iran is interesting – it could very well develop into the country’s third revolution.

And if such a thing were to come to pass, what better way to commemorate the event, than with a rock-ish compilation?

Presenting Walski’s Top Ten Hits to Rock the new Iranian Revolution
(the Top 10 list, and more, in the full post)

10. Transmission (Joy Division)
If it transmits, very likely it's been blocked, or monitored/censored. There have been numerous reports, via Twitter and the blogs, about SMS network shutdowns, and about certain web sites and online services blocked. Not just after the election results were announced, but apparently even prior to the polling. Infidel airwaves, Walski supposes…

9. Enjoy The Silence (Depeche Mode)
One interesting and unique characteristic of the protests have been the lack of sound from the protesters. To underline the peaceful nature of these protests, that is. Some even taped their mouth shuts, signifying the suppression of their voices.

8. You Really Got Me (The Kinks)
In what's called a "guided" democracy, such as Iran, potential candidates for both the presidential and legislative polls are vetted by the Council of Guardians, a 12-jurist body appointed (6 directly and 6 indirectly) by the Supreme Leader (again, not Diana Ross). In the case of the recent presidential election, there were allegations of poll fraud, leading to the ‘desired’ outcome of Ahmadinejad being elected to a second term. This is not the first time allegations of fraud have been raised, incidentally.

7. Another One Bites The Dust (Queen)
Kinda self-explanatory, Walski thinks...

6. Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)
One thing Walski noticed about the protesters - their youth. Ok, maybe not teenagers, but you get the general idea. No? Live with it.

5. Loser (Beck)
What some Iranians probably call certain prominent personalities in government. True of any government anywhere, in all likelihood.

4. Any song by GREEN Day or GREEN JELLŸ, or Rev. Al GREEN
It's being called the Green Protest. If it goes as far as Walski suspects it might, it may one day be called the Green Revolution.

3. Won’t Get Fooled Again (The Who)
The Iranians successfully replaced one tyrannical regime with another tyrannical regime. Let’s hope that it’s a case of once bitten… and that they won’t be fooled again.

2. Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye (the Crazy Frog version)
The song was originally done by a group called Steam in the 60’s – Walski has chosen this particular version because it’s extra annoying. Just like how many Iranians view their government.

And the Number One song to be included in the new Iranian Revolution compilation album…

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
(Gil Scott Heron)

In all likelihood, it will be the LEAST publicized revolution - since all media will probably NOT be allowed to cover it. Kinda like how it is currently in Iran, where foreign journalists have pretty much been under a lockdown.

So there you have it – 10 hits to remember the possible Green Revolution by. Coming to a record store near you. Probably sooner than you expect!