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"Vietnam Cowboys" by Ray Davies (2008).

From the album Working Man's Cafe.

This song is quoted in connection with Houston Retro Radio.

You better top off your suntan
Otherwise your skin's gonna to turn to leather
We'll make a movie in Vietnam
Tax break said we're gonna shoot on location
The rug says made in Korea
Manufactured in a factory using cheap labor
And all over Asia
The third world's becoming a major league player

Mass production in Saigon
While auto workers laid off in Cleveland
Hot jacuzzi in Taiwan
With empty factories in Birmingham
Now it's baby boomers in Hong Kong
And cowboys in Vietnam
Making their movies

Big confusion in Hollywood
Now it's American Major League in Japan
Hamburger in China
With sushi bars in Maine and Boston
The dollar sign said expand
Now it's cowboys in Vietnam
Making their movies

Wake up in the White House
Zip up your pants and get it together
Take a look at your overseas neighbor
Look at their strange behavior
Take a look at your wigwam
Inside it says that the product is Asian
Once it was only in movies
Now it's a product invasion

Mass production in Saigon
While auto workers laid off in Cleveland
Hot jacuzzi in Taiwan
With empty factories in Birmingham
Now it's sweatshops in Hong Kong
Dressing cowboys in Vietnam
Making their movies
Let's make a movie in Vietnam

You better top up your suntan
Looks like we're in for heavy weather
Economic meltdown
Nobody said it would last forever
Let's make a movie in Baghdad
Take the culture right to the Third World
Blow up a brand new civilization
In the name of globalization

Big confusion in Hollywood
Now it's American Major League in Japan
Hamburger in China
With sushi bars in Maine and Boston
Dollar signs said expand
Now it's cowboys in Vietnam
Making their movies

Watch out!
Ride off with your debts into the sunset

Added March 17, 2008

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Captain America calling: Closed Ford facility in northern Alabama, 1983. Photo by Grady McAllister. Click image for a fuller view.