Question
Dear Scorpion,
I've been a megadeth fan for quiet some time now. It has taken me a painstaking 3 1/2 years to obtain a copy of KIMB, I now own it completes the megadeth cd collection up to date. But I was slightly confused as i've heard a copy of megadeths cover song "these boots" and it was awesome, nothing to complain about there. But it is on my copy of KIMB 2002 re-issue that i've entered a dilemma, it seems for some reason the cover song has been censored? I was reading through the liner notes trying to find a damn good explanation for this, but to no prevail. so, i'm hoping you can shed some light on this issue? why did they take in my opinion the best bits of the song out and replace them with a half assed "BEEP" if you will?
Drew
Answer
Dear Drew,
The censorship of this song was a pretty good way of "sticking it to the man" so to speak. Dave Mustaine explains: "Some of you may be asking (don't feel alone, there were many others who did too), 'is 'Boots'
going to be on the re-release?'
"Well, unfortunately, there is a 'two-part' answer to your 1-part question. 1) Yes, and 2) No. Yes, the song is going to be including 'our version.' No, we had to change the "changes" I made to the original 'original' version. You see, initially the remake of 'These Boots Are Made For Walking' was a joke. I thought it was alright to have some fun with it, because the original version sucked. Lee Hazelwood, the song's original writer, didn't quite see the humor in this. But he or his handlers are bereft of more than a sense of humor. Upon hearing our version, we were notified that Lee Hazelwood had taken umbrage to our version and deemed it 'vile and offensive' or some shit like that. What is really vile and offensive is that the checks from the records we sold that were sent to him were cashed for ten years before he said anything about his being knighted and now morally superior to having the dosh.
"I guess that was the same time he was suddenly struck with selective amnesia. Didn't he let Frank Sinatra's daughter record this song too?
Wasn't Frank alleged to have had ties with the mafia? Since when is a red-headed guitarist more intimidating than the mob?
"It's great to see you have ascended to the moral mountaintop. I guess with your 'Seraph' status, you won't need the money we sent you from down here amongst the peasants. Hell, I think I see a mail carrier. It might just be a check from HRH as we speak. I'll get back to you later."
So there we have it. The cover of These Boots did make it on the re-release of KIMB, but the seriously censored version is an obvious jab at the oversensitivities of certain folks in the music business. Your ole pal the Scorp is glad to be on this side of the biz where I can just rock out without giving a second thought to politics!
Until next time, keep your questions coming, but make sure to set aside some time to get out and enjoy the Summer, my favourite season!
