Some in the US are predicting a backlash against the Rolling Stones' upcoming album release and tour after the initial reaction to a reportedly anti-George W Bush track.
The track, called 'Sweet Neocon', appears on new album 'A Bigger Bang' and includes the lyrics: "You call yourself a Christian, I call you a hypocrite / You call yourself a patriot. Well, I think you're full of sh*t / It's liberty for all, democracy's our style / Unless you are against us, then it's prison without trial / How come you're so wrong, my sweet neo-con."
Conservative bloggers in the US are already slating the band for the track, with some calling for boycotts of their music and concerts, and others demanding that the National Football League and ABC scrap a deal with the band which will see the Stones featuring on every edition of the TV network's 'Monday Night Football' show.
Mick Jagger stands by the song, but was perhaps hoping to reduce the controversy when he said that the track wasn't specifically aimed at Bush. The Associated Press quote him as saying: "It's not personally aimed at President Bush. It wouldn't be called 'Sweet Neocon' if it was. It is certainly very critical of certain policies of the administration, but so what? Lots of people are critical". However, he does recognise that the song is somewhat controversial - telling Newsweek: "I think he's [Keith Richards] a bit worried because he lives in the US. But I don't."