Jagger backpedals on slamming Bush

Posted by Monica Mehta at 5:45 PM on August 10, 2005.

Mick Jagger is denying that a song on his upcoming album, called "Sweet Neo Con," refers to George W.

"It is not really aimed at anyone," Jagger said on the entertainment news show "Extra." "It's not aimed, personally aimed, at President Bush. It wouldn't be called 'Sweet Neo Con' if it was."

But what about the lyrics?

The song is from the new album, "A Bigger Bang," set for release Sept. 6. There is no mention of Bush or Iraq. But it does refer to military contractor Halliburton, which was formerly run by Vice President Cheney and has been awarded key Iraq contracts, and the rising price of gasoline.

"How come you're so wrong? My sweet neo-con, where's the money gone, in the Pentagon," goes one refrain.

The song also includes the line: "It's liberty for all, democracy's our style, unless you are against us, then it's prison without trial."

Jagger claimed the song is "certainly very critical of certain policies of the administration, but so what! Lots of people are critical."

Oh yeah? Then who are these lyrics supposed to refer to:

"You call yourself a Christian, I call you a hypocrite.

You call yourself a patriot. Well I think you are full of s**t!"

Could his butt-covering statement have anything to do with the fact that the Rolling Stones are teaming up with the National Football League and ABC to promote "Monday Night Football"? Methinks I smell an attempted last-minute save....

Monica Mehta is an associate editor at AlterNet.