Catchy tunes on corruption
January 8, 2025 5:10 AM   Subscribe

On the occasion of the US sanctions placed on Antal Rogán ("Tóni"), current Hungarian Minister of the Prime Minister's Cabinet Office -- a historic first considering Hungary is a NATO country and Rogán is an active government member -- let me introduce you to the thinly veiled references in the catchy pop-punk song about a certain "Tóni": Bankrupt - Tony Montana

Bankrupt is a Hungarian punk band best known for their criticism of corruption in Hungarian politics, crazy video clips made from small cuts from movies and more importantly for their dedication of translating most of their songs into idiomatic English.

Tony makes numerous references to Rogán's activites as eminence grise in charge of shaping public opinion (propaganda) and winning elections. But the band does not stop here.

In Hungarian Satan they make fun of previous prime minister and recurrent boogeyman Ferenc Gyurcsány, while in Who's Gonna Pay? they are singing about an unlucky unnamed man with a billionaire son-in-law but no savings in the bank. (That's Orbán for you).

The references are too numerous to list them all, but if you want to brighten up your day, give them a chance - here are all their songs in English and in Hungarian.
posted by kmt (3 comments total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
Terrific post. Köszönöm szépen!
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:31 AM on January 8 [1 favorite]


This will be reversed on January 21, right?
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 8:14 AM on January 8


Trump never met an authoritarian he didn't want to top.

Take that as you will.
posted by JustSayNoDawg at 9:30 AM on January 8


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