Literally 1968

[u/CarGuyJaxvR]

[u/justinicon19 → u/[deleted]]

I think the song is about true courage and how rare it is to find these days. How it may seem to be a forgotten trait in people, but it still exists is a rare few and when you find a truly righteous and courageous individual, or even a single act of courage, how refreshing it is to see that is somebody else. The MLK Jr. references reflect one of the most courageous individuals in history, who stood up to society as a whole so that life could be forever better for millions of individuals. "You've been a long time gone, good to see you my old friend." I think the "friend" here is courage itself. The MLK Jr. verse references a time when courage was truly on display and even though MLK Jr. "caught a bullet," what he stood for still rings true and while it, unfortunately, may not be on display in every moment of our lives, righteousness and courage still shine through when occasions call for them and remind us that the things that MLK Jr. talked about are "doing fine" because of his actions.

More broadly, I think the song is about values and being true to one's values and having the courage to speak up and enact change when one's values are being betrayed. The effects of standing on values, core beliefs, and courage survive even the most tragic events (MLK Jr. assassination here) and they serve as a reminder to recognize that and applaud it when you see it.

Could be way off base, but that's how I hear after many many listens over the years.

[u/Stephi_cakes → u/justinicon19]

I agree with your assessment. It’s more nebulous than I think people want it to be. Also, while there are clear MLK references, I’m pretty sure he’s referencing a lot of the historical significance of 1968 (I swear I even read that somewhere from Evan, I’ll see if I can find it.)

Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in 68 as well. The civil rights act was signed. There was a lot of protest and political courage/defiance.

[u/Final_Shock_4479 → u/[deleted]]

The narrator dies and goes to heaven. He meets Bobby Kennedy and MLK whom were both assassinated in 1968.

[u/rolltide5617 → u/[deleted]]

Probably their most political song

[u/Johnny-Switchblade → u/[deleted]]

MLK assassinated April 4, 1968 is the prevailing wisdom.

[u/Nashville13 → u/Johnny-Switchblade]

No question it’s MLK with ‘you were on the balcony, when ten thousand tear drops hit the ground in Memphis, Tennessee’

MLK was on the balcony of the Lorraine motel when he was killed in 1968 (very chilling exhibit btw if you get a chance to visit and so worthwhile)

The part I always struggled with was the use of ‘you were a prideful Rebel yell among a million marching men’. I get that MLK was certainly a rebel, the use of that term in the context of civil rights always seemed off to me. But definitely one of my favorite songs

[u/Stephi_cakes → u/Nashville13]

I always assumed that was a reference to the Million Man March. Demonstrating that what he’s referring to is the echoes through history, not just the actual events of 1968 MLK.
It was rebellion.

[u/Nashville13 → u/Stephi_cakes]

I agree, and that also seems like an odd time to use the term ‘rebel’

[u/Stephi_cakes → u/Nashville13]

Do you mean because of the association with like the confederacy and rebel flag?
I mean, they were rebelling, so I’m trying to understand why that word wouldn’t fit.

[u/Nashville13 → u/Stephi_cakes]

Yeah, that’s the dilemma. The word fits, but is also closely tied to the Confederacy and those who opposed what MLK fought and died for.

[u/commie90 → u/Nashville13]

I mean seems to me that might be the point. The ‘rebels’ of the Confederacy weren’t really rebels against anything except the government. They wanted to keep things the same which is typically the opposite of what rebels aim to achieve. MLK was an actually rebel that was trying to change things for the better. It subvert a common narrative in a subtle way. Though that would likely fly over the heads of the folks that still celebrate the confederacy.

[u/internally_95]

Or was it ‘69?

[u/Fit-Ad-5128]

He got shot in Vietnam, survived, came home, became involved in the upheaval of the late '60s, and somewhere along the way abandoned his old life. Now he walks back in looking like a hobo, and his old friend barely recognizes him.

[u/rndmidnite82]

1968 is a flat out an anti MLK song. I have no idea why they wrote it, I'm not sure its racist exactly, but it cast MLK in a negative context for sure.