In a recent interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Heart’s Nancy Wilson remarked that she thinks that at the moment it is more “embarrassing” than ever to be an American.
The comment came when she was discussing the band’s hit 1975 song “Crazy on You” – a track written as a response to the Vietnam War. Wilson explained that she believes the song is extremely relevant today in the current political climate.
“We were kind of embarrassed at that time to call ourselves American because of the dirty politics of the Vietnam War,” Wilson said. “To be as subtle as possible, it’s more embarrassing now.”
She continued, saying that she also thinks Heart’s popular song “Barracuda” is still pertinent today. The track – which is about “a real sleazeball with a satin jacket” who in the ’70s “wanted to make more money out of the sexy chicks in Heart” – “is even more relevant in the salacious billionaire culture with the grab-them-by-the-(expletive) mentality,” Wilson told the Journal Sentinel.
When asked if it is infuriating that the “rampant sexism documented in ‘Barracuda’… is still prevalent today”, Nancy replied:
“I think for women in the culture the pendulum will come back again, and there’ll be another renaissance in the arts to push back against the oppression of the cranky old rich white guys. I hope I am alive to see that next revolution.”
Wilson’s comments about being “embarrassed” to call yourself an American has received a bit of backlash from fans on social media, however.
“Says the millionaire who made TONS of dough playing music,” one Twitter/X user tweeted. “I just can’t with these people right now.”
“The b*tch is welcome to find a more suitable country for her needs,” another angry critic wrote. “I’m willing to wager on the makeup of the country should she be a woman of her convictions.”
“Stop playing 80’s Heart music and it’s not as embarrassing,” a third Twitter/X user said.
Others suggested to Wilson that if she’s embarrassed then she should leave the country. “Then leave you won’t be missed,” one wrote.
While there were some critics, others agreed with Wilson’s sentiments.
“She’s absolutely right,” one person wrote, while another added: “I totally agree with you Nancy.”
