Sharp Notes Monday: ‘Blame it on the Stones’

By Jandoli Institute on February 3, 2025 • ( 0 )

By Richard Lee

DEI has become one of Donald Trump’s favorite targets. In his two weeks back in office, he has suggested that DEI hindered the response to California wildfires, led to a fatal aircraft collision and weakened the federal workforce.

Long before DEI, we had another popular scapegoat.

The Rolling Stones, the bad boys of rock’n’roll, took the blame for a multitude of society’s ills in the 1960s and ‘70s. So often was the band’s name associated with the problems and troubles of the world that Kris Kristofferson penned a song titled “Blame It On the Stones.”

Blame it on the stones; blame it on the stones
You’ll feel so much better, knowing you don’t stand alone
Join the accusation; save the bleeding nation
Get it off your shoulders; blame it on the stones

Since no one has yet to write a song titled “Blame It On DEI,” this chestnut from Kristofferson’s catalog is our Sharp Notes Monday selection to start the week.

Richard Lee, executive director of the Jandoli Institute, is a former music journalist who often writes about the intersection of music and current events.

—–

As part of our “Sharp Notes, Sharp Thoughts” music and social media project, we share a song every Monday to start your week.

View previous Sharp Notes Monday selections.

Visit our “Sharp Notes, Sharp Thoughts” music and social justice page to learn more about the project and view videos of our presentations.