Yesterday, July 20, was the fortieth anniversary of the United States manned moon landing. This month, Alanologists all over the solar system also observe the fortieth anniversary of his song, "Poor Moon", which was released as a single shortly after the moon landing. This piece is his response to the ego-driven exploration and defacing of the Moon, which is still burdened with rubbish and discarded equipment from NASA's meddling about.
The Moon is typically regarded as a satellite. However, you should note that according to one well accepted scientific definition, the Moon and Earth qualify as a double planet system. (Pluto, however, has never been a proper planet at all, blind sentiment and other such griping aside.)
In "Poor Moon", a recording done under Canned Heat's auspices and name but clearly composed, structured and directed by the genius of Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson, the Moon is addressed directly, almost as a lover. Alan fears that "your face" will be polluted and destroyed by the carelessness of humankind, as he had already seen happen to his beloved Earth.
Most people nowadays blindly swallow the concept of space "exploration" because they think it should be done for its own sake, for patriotism or human pride, or because they foolishly believe that humankind could (or should) attempt colonization of another planet. The space program has become a "sacred cow", so to speak, in our culture, even for those who should know better.
To all of this, the author of Blind Owl Blues echoes Alan's sentiment of the inverted flag seen on the cover of Future Blues later in 1970. It's a distressing situation indeed. Instead of such foolishness, let us get back to the Earth that nourishes us, ground ourselves in Her fertile soils and in gardens of our own making, and remember that gravity pulls us back to that Sacred Ground for a reason! We're not going to the Moon, we are simply admiring her as we take that road Up The Country. Baby, do you want to go?
Alan, of course, had a special connection with the Moon, it being the ruler of his astrological sign Cancer (July 4, 1943). This helps us understand his intuition and extreme emotional sensitivity.
Know of any other lunar-oriented protest songs? Have thoughts on Alan's relationship with the Moon? Leave a comment and join the Alanological community.
I've loved Going Up The Country since I heard it on the woodstock record in 1970. I had no idea that the author of the lovely song with the lovely voice had already moved on. I've just learned of this now. Guess I'll be thinking of Blind Owl looking over my shoulder now when I sing it. What a good feeling song!
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