I’m not sure how many dissolute or self-loathing rock-album covers I can name off the top of my head, but Neil Young‘s “American Stars and Bars” (’77) has to be near the top of anyone’s list. I think it may be more of a “self-loathing:” thing in quotes than in earnest. First Draft‘s Peter Adrastos Ahas called it “a parody of the rock-star pomposity that was so prevalent at the time.”

Many people I’ve known have gone through self-loathing stages in their lives; you could almost call it a necessary chapter on the path to spiritual clarity and fulfillment. But you have to live through your self-loathing phase while you’re still experimenting (in your mid to late 20s, early 30s at the latest). Being “tired of yourself and all of your creations” doesn’t work so well after 40.

What I somehow missed until this morning that the drunk-on-the-floor art was designed by Dean Stockwell (Blue Velvet, Married To The Mob, The Boy With Green Hair).

Not Neil Young’s “Southern California Brings Me Down,” a Nation Lampoon parody tune, starts at 1:12:

I need someone to live with me
To keep my bed warm
And keep my shorts clean

I need a maid to give for free
And sew patches on my jeans

I dreamed I saw my cowgirls housewife
I was driving in my pick up to LA
I wanna love you while I can, Babe
Before I become an old man

Southern California brings me down
Southern California brings me down
Southern California brings me down

Oh, I need someplace to go
Oh, north Ontario
It’s safer than Alabama
It’s safer than Ohio…Ohio.

Gonna go home now where I can glow
With the cowgirl of my dreams
Gonna stay so now
Just stare out my basement window and scream

Southern California brings me down
Southern California brings me down
Southern California brings me down
Ooo, gotta got away now

Southern California brings me down, ooo baby
Topanga Canyon freaks you won’t see me around no more