Evil Empire Analysis-Joe Jackson

In Joe Jackson’s song “Evil Empire,” he expresses his frustration with the United States during the Cold War period by satirically implying that the U.S. is actually the Evil Empire--a term President Ronald Reagan used to refer to the Soviet Union. He calls for people to fight against the U.S. Evil Empire and to know the the truth about the Cold War.

Jackson expresses his frustration right from the beginning of the song, in particular that “no one knows what’s going on in the rest of world.”  He expresses anger that nobody is questioning the government, and believes that government has being lying to his people about what is really happening.

The song also shows Jackson is anti-war and he believes the American people are tired of wars as well. He blames the U.S. for spreading conflicts to the rest of the world. The term backyard here refers to the other countries the U.S is trying to dominate using its anti-Soviet ideology. For example, the 1980s war in Afghanistan, which lasted for almost ten years, was essentially between two groups backed by the Soviet Union and the United States.

In the end, Jackson conveys a sense of helplessness, and even cynicism. He says “I could go on but what’s the use, you can’t fight them with songs.” But he also uplifts the spirit and calls for the people to wake up and fight against the Evil Empire. Even though he believes this song is only a tiny effort, he wants to send a message to inspire the listeners to fight against unfair regimes, even if it is as simple a rebellion as listening to a song that opens their minds.