John J. Miller at National Review has a interesting list of his top 50 conservative rock songs.  Two of those songs are especially appropriate for posting here.

#2. “Taxman,” by The Beatles. 
A George Harrison masterpiece with a famous guitar riff (which was actually played by Paul McCartney): “If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street / If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat / If you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat / If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet.” The song closes with a humorous jab at death taxes: “Now my advice for those who die / Declare the pennies on your eyes.”

#45. “Taxman, Mr. Thief,” by Cheap Trick.  
An anti-tax protest song: “You work hard, you went hungry / Now the taxman is out to get you. . . . He hates you, he loves money.” 

Update: While I have posted dozens of versions of the very familiar George Harrison song over the years, the Cheap Trick song was new to me; so I found this copy on the web and uploaded it.  The lyrics are a bit hard to make out, so I found these on the web as well.

Taxman, Mr. Thief Lyrics

You work hard, you make money
There ain't no on in the world who can stop you
You work hard, you went hungry
Now the taxman is out to get you
You worked hard
And slaved and slaved for years
Break your back sweat a lot
Well, it's just not fair
He hates you, he loves money
And he'll steal your shit and think that it's funny
Like the Beatles, even Dylan
Now the taxman is out to get you
You worked hard
And slaved and slaved for years
You played
And you played and played for years
Taxman, Mr. Heath (he's a thief)
He's looking for run-in, yeah
Taxman, Mr. Heath (he's a thief)
He's looking for run-in, yeah
You work hard, you make money
There ain't no on in the world who can stop you
You work hard, you went hungry
Now the taxman is out to get you
You worked hard
And slaved and slaved for years
Break your back sweat a lot
Well, it's just not fair
Taxman, Mr. Heath (he's a thief)
He's looking for run-in, yeah
Taxman, Mr. Heath (he's a thief)
He's looking for run-in, yeah

 

- posted by Kerry M. Kerstetter, MBA~CPA~ATP~ATA @ 5/26/2006 07:16:00 PM Send this post: