16 Military Wives
Encyclopedia
"Sixteen Military Wives", sometimes referred to as "16 by 32", is a single released by The Decemberists from their third album, Picaresque
.
has characterized the song as a "protest song
" inspired by the Iraq War. However, though it does attack elements of the American foreign policy
under George W. Bush
(the lines "Because America can/And America can't say no/And America does/If America says it's so/It's so" in the chorus), "Sixteen Military Wives" focuses primarily on the news media
and popular response to the war, particularly levying criticism at infotainment
and the surface-level involvement of celebrities
in public affairs.
, Oregon
, the video takes place at the fictional Barger Rothery Academy. Colin Meloy
plays Henry Stowecroft, a student who represents the United States in the school's Model UN. Fed up with Jude (Nate Query
), another student who seems to surpass him on every occasion, Henry goes after Carl (Chris Funk
), a shy student who mostly keeps to himself, by initiating a campaign of harassment. Within the UN, the U.S. declares war on Luxembourg
, the country Carl represents. Henry has his lackeys block Carl from using the bathroom, pelts Carl with crumpled paper projectiles, gets the lunch lady to deny Carl food service, and plants contraband in Carl's locker and then reports him to school authorities. Molly (Jenny Conlee
) leads a revolt against Henry by recruiting the rest of the Model UN to perform a protest song during a meeting of the club. Henry, defeated, flees the meeting, and the video ends with him buried in crumpled papers thrown at him by his enraged classmates.
The notion of Henry, representing the United States, bullying a smaller country reflects the song's lyrical meaning.
The video was the first to ever be originally released for online distribution via BitTorrent. It was co-produced by Nick Harmer
of Death Cab for Cutie
. He also makes a cameo appearance in the video. He had been erroneously credited with a co-director credit by MTV2's Subterranean due to a mistake in the chyron.
Other cameos include Chris Walla
from Death Cab for Cutie
, also the album's producer, John Roderick
from The Long Winters
, Carson Ellis
, the band's artist and longtime partner to Colin Meloy
The video was directed by Aaron Stewart-Ahn, who also helmed the band's video for "O Valencia!
"; and appears to be drawn stylistically from Wes Anderson
's films, particularly Rushmore
, from which it borrows the prestigious private school setting and similar school uniforms, as well as themes of rivalry between students. Additionally, Rushmore featured a brief segment concerning a model United Nations at the school. Henry's haircut in the video is also quite similar to the one sported by Max in the film.
There are several inconsistencies in the video. The story text in the video states that one of Henry's friends represents the Republic of Korea
, but the flag is clearly the flag of Democratic People's Republic of Korea
. Moreover, one of the students' in the background, wearing a straw hat, placard indicating Singapore
, but the flag is from the Republic of Macedonia
.
Picaresque (album)
Picaresque is an album by The Decemberists released in 2005 on the Kill Rock Stars record label. It was produced by Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie....
.
Subject
Songwriter Colin MeloyColin Meloy
Colin Patrick Henry Meloy is the lead singer and songwriter for the Portland, Oregon, folk-rock band The Decemberists. In addition to vocals, he performs with an acoustic guitar, 12-string acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bouzouki, harmonica, percussion and interpretive hand gestures.-Early life...
has characterized the song as a "protest song
Protest song
A protest song is a song which is associated with a movement for social change and hence part of the broader category of topical songs . It may be folk, classical, or commercial in genre...
" inspired by the Iraq War. However, though it does attack elements of the American foreign policy
Foreign policy of the George W. Bush administration
During his campaign for election as President of the United States, George W. Bush's foreign policy platform included support for a stronger economic and political relationship with Latin America, especially Mexico, and a reduction of involvement in "nation building" and other small-scale military...
under George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
(the lines "Because America can/And America can't say no/And America does/If America says it's so/It's so" in the chorus), "Sixteen Military Wives" focuses primarily on the news media
News media
The news media are those elements of the mass media that focus on delivering news to the general public or a target public.These include print media , broadcast news , and more recently the Internet .-Etymology:A medium is a carrier of something...
and popular response to the war, particularly levying criticism at infotainment
Infotainment
Infotainment is "information-based media content or programming that also includes entertainment content in an effort to enhance popularity with audiences and consumers." It is a neologistic portmanteau of information and entertainment, referring to a type of media which provides a combination of...
and the surface-level involvement of celebrities
Celebrity
A celebrity, also referred to as a celeb in popular culture, is a person who has a prominent profile and commands a great degree of public fascination and influence in day-to-day media...
in public affairs.
Video
Shot at Cleveland High School in PortlandPortland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, the video takes place at the fictional Barger Rothery Academy. Colin Meloy
Colin Meloy
Colin Patrick Henry Meloy is the lead singer and songwriter for the Portland, Oregon, folk-rock band The Decemberists. In addition to vocals, he performs with an acoustic guitar, 12-string acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bouzouki, harmonica, percussion and interpretive hand gestures.-Early life...
plays Henry Stowecroft, a student who represents the United States in the school's Model UN. Fed up with Jude (Nate Query
Nate Query
Nate Query plays electric bass, upright bass, and cello in the rock band The Decemberists. He is also credited on Michael Zapruder's record. Former bands include Calobo and Everyday Dirt. His most recent project is the acoustic band Black Prairie with a number of other Portland...
), another student who seems to surpass him on every occasion, Henry goes after Carl (Chris Funk
Chris Funk
Christopher Lyman Funk is a multi-instrumentalist and member of the Portland, Oregon, indie rock band The Decemberists. He is originally from Valparaiso, Indiana where he worked at Front Porch Music which inspired his love of American Folk Music. He plays guitar, pedal steel, piano, violin,...
), a shy student who mostly keeps to himself, by initiating a campaign of harassment. Within the UN, the U.S. declares war on Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
, the country Carl represents. Henry has his lackeys block Carl from using the bathroom, pelts Carl with crumpled paper projectiles, gets the lunch lady to deny Carl food service, and plants contraband in Carl's locker and then reports him to school authorities. Molly (Jenny Conlee
Jenny Conlee
Jenny Conlee is the accordionist, pianist, organist, keyboardist, melodica player, and occasional backup singer and harmonicist for the indie rock quintet The Decemberists, roles she has filled on each of the band's releases.-Portland music:...
) leads a revolt against Henry by recruiting the rest of the Model UN to perform a protest song during a meeting of the club. Henry, defeated, flees the meeting, and the video ends with him buried in crumpled papers thrown at him by his enraged classmates.
The notion of Henry, representing the United States, bullying a smaller country reflects the song's lyrical meaning.
The video was the first to ever be originally released for online distribution via BitTorrent. It was co-produced by Nick Harmer
Nick Harmer
Nicholas Harmer is the bass guitarist for the group Death Cab for Cutie.-Personal life:Harmer was born in Landstuhl, Germany. He attended Governor John R. Rogers High School in Puyallup, Washington, and was President of his senior class...
of Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
. He also makes a cameo appearance in the video. He had been erroneously credited with a co-director credit by MTV2's Subterranean due to a mistake in the chyron.
Other cameos include Chris Walla
Chris Walla
Christopher Walla is an American musician and music producer, most notable for being the guitarist for the band Death Cab for Cutie. He is also a former DJ of KCWU, 88.1 The Burg...
from Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
, also the album's producer, John Roderick
John Roderick
John Roderick is an American musician and writer. Born in Seattle, Washington, he grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. He is currently the lead singer and guitarist in the band The Long Winters and was formerly a touring member of the band Harvey Danger...
from The Long Winters
The Long Winters
The Long Winters is an American indie rock band based in Seattle, Washington.-Early history:Singer-songwriter John Roderick was born in Seattle, Washington, and grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. He later returned to Seattle, formed the Bun Family Players and the The Western State Hurricanes...
, Carson Ellis
Carson Ellis
Carson Friedman Ellis is an artist living in Portland, Oregon. She is best known for her children's book illustrations and her album art.- Career :...
, the band's artist and longtime partner to Colin Meloy
Colin Meloy
Colin Patrick Henry Meloy is the lead singer and songwriter for the Portland, Oregon, folk-rock band The Decemberists. In addition to vocals, he performs with an acoustic guitar, 12-string acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bouzouki, harmonica, percussion and interpretive hand gestures.-Early life...
The video was directed by Aaron Stewart-Ahn, who also helmed the band's video for "O Valencia!
O Valencia!
"O Valencia!" is the fifth single by indie rock band The Decemberists, and the first released from their fourth studio album, The Crane Wife....
"; and appears to be drawn stylistically from Wes Anderson
Wes Anderson
Wesley Wales Anderson is an American film director, screenwriter, actor, and producer of features, short films and commercials....
's films, particularly Rushmore
Rushmore
Rushmore may refer to:Places:*Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, in the United States*Rushmore, Minnesota, a small city in the United States*Rushmore Cave, southeast of the mountain...
, from which it borrows the prestigious private school setting and similar school uniforms, as well as themes of rivalry between students. Additionally, Rushmore featured a brief segment concerning a model United Nations at the school. Henry's haircut in the video is also quite similar to the one sported by Max in the film.
There are several inconsistencies in the video. The story text in the video states that one of Henry's friends represents the Republic of Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, but the flag is clearly the flag of Democratic People's Republic of Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
. Moreover, one of the students' in the background, wearing a straw hat, placard indicating Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, but the flag is from the Republic of Macedonia
Flag of the Republic of Macedonia
The national flag of the Republic of Macedonia depicts a stylised yellow sun on a red field, with eight broadening rays extending from the centre to the edge of the field. It was created by Pr...
.