I started a joke which started the whole world crying
But I didn’t see that the joke was on me – “I Started A Joke,” Bee Gees
For those of you old enough to remember, the Bee Gees had a hit single in 1968 entitled, “I Started A Joke.” The song is best known for its haunting melody and perplexing lyrics.
When Robin Gibb, the song’s lead vocalist, was asked to explain the meaning of the tune, he answered, “The listeners have to interpret it themselves, trying to explain it would detract from the song.”
I always felt the song was about unintended consequences. But lately I’ve come to realize, while partially right, the song was a musical forewarning of Donald Trump’s presidential bid.
No, Donald Trump did not start his bid to become the Republican Party’s presidential nominee as a joke (although some may disagree here). I believe Trump saw the presidential race as an inexpensive, surefire way to promote his brand. This view is actually confirmed by many former Trump campaign staffers who admit Trump just hoped for a good showing in the primary.
To almost every political analyst’s amazement, Trump’s racist, divisive, hate filled message resonated with the bulk of Republican voters. The Republican establishment, who never took Trump’s run seriously, is now looking at Donald J. Trump as their party’s presumptive presidential nominee.
But the joke isn’t only on the Grand Old Party; it is also on Trump himself.
Trump’s ego has so gotten the better of him that he is now doing the opposite of what got him into the presidential race in the first place. He is severely damaging the Trump name.
What Trump has worked so hard at doing, i.e. promoting the Trump brand to be synonymous with class, luxury, and glitz, has gone up in smoke in only a matter of months. The Trump name is now more associated with bigotry, stupidity and lack of sophistication.
Ego can get the better of us, sometimes; especially for a narcissistic con man like Trump.
The Bee Gees had another hit single much later in their career that also foretold of how Trump would con his way to the top of the Republican heap … “Jive Talkin”.
Photo | smoothradio.com
Bee Gees also had another hit which describes Trump’s run for the presidency … “Tragedy.”
For sure!
Truer words were never spoken.
In a way I feel bad for what Trump as done to his brand … NOT! Let the Trump name from now on be associated with cheap, store-brand toilet paper!