By the Time I Get to Arizona

Album: Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black (1991)
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Songfacts®:

  • The song deals with former Arizona governor Evan Mecham, who faced harsh criticism during his time in office after he refused to recognize Martin Luther King's birthday as a national holiday. John McCain was an Arizona senator at the time, and in 1983 he opposed creation of a federal holiday to honor King. He later admitted that this was a mistake, and in 1990 supported the holiday.

    When this song was released in 1991, Arizona and New Hampshire were the only states that did not recognize the Martin Luther King holiday.
  • This song samples "Two Sisters of Mystery" by the '70s funk band Mandrill.
  • The music video stirred some controversy, as it depicts the group assassinating the governor with a car bomb. The song and the video are Public Enemy at their most militant, implying that they will use force to advance their agenda. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Joey - Corpus Christi, TX, for all above

Comments: 1

  • Chris from Garland, TexasGreatness, Happy Birthday KING.
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