Me van a decir que este no es el mejor tema del New York (1989) y probablemente tengan razón. Pero seguramente no me van a negar que este disco está en la lista de los 3 mejores de Lou Reed (1942-2013).

«Strawman» es el tema 13 del disco, el penúltimo, y para mi tiene una fuerza especial. La música revienta en la letra, que es directa, simple y con un contenido político bien claro. En eso tienen un aire de familia con el tema 5 del disco «There is no time». 1989 fue el último año de la presidencia de Ronald Regan y siempre quise caprichosamente que el espantapájaros fuera él y que Lou Reed apretara los dientes cada vez que lo mandaba a la mierda en el estribillo.

Lo cierto es que la letra apela a una crítica social que abarca muchas facetas del sueño americano (la riqueza, las estrellas de cine, el presidente, la carrera espacial, los autos, la religión) y al propio cantante de rock engreído.

Acá les dejo la letra. Escuchen el disco entero. No hay una canción del New York que no valga la pena escuchar. Y si quieren tener una idea de la trayectoria de Lou Reed lean este artículo de Gonzalo Curbelo que salió justo después de su muerte.

We who have so much to you who have so little
to you who don’t have anything at all
We who have so much more than any one man does need
and you who don’t have anything at all, ah

Does anybody need another million dollar movie
does anybody need another million dollar star
Does anybody need to be told over and over
spitting in the wind comes back at you twice as hard

Strawman, going straight to the devil
strawman, going straight to hell
Strawman, going straight to the devil

Strawman
strawman
Strawman
strawman, yes

Does anyone really need a billion dollar rocket
does anyone need a 60,000 dollars car
Does anyone need another president
or the sins of Swaggart parts 6, 7, 8 and 9, ah
Does anyone need yet another politician
caught with his pants down and money sticking in his hole
Does anyone need another racist preacher
spittin’ in the wind can only do you harm, ooohhh

Strawman, going straight to the devil
strawman, going straight to hell
Strawman, going straight to the devil

Strawman
strawman
Strawman
strawman

Does anyone need another faulty shuttle
blasting off to the moon, Venus or Mars
Does anybody need another self-righteous rock singer
whose nose he says has led him straight to God
Does anyone need yet another blank skyscraper
if you’re like me I’m sure a minor miracle will do
A flaming sword or maybe a gold ark floating up the Hudson
when you spit in the wind it comes right back at you

Strawman, going straight to the devil
Strawman, going straight to hell
Strawman, going to the devil

Strawman, strawman
strawman, …., ah
Strawman
strawman