Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: ska
Song Meaning of “Free John Hinckley” by Propagandhi
Free John Hinckley is a song by Canadian punk rock band Propagandhi that blames the media and celebrities for glorifying dangerous behavior and the negligence of the legal system. The song is about John Hinckley Jr., who shot President Ronald Reagan in 1981 to gain the attention of actress Jodie Foster. Hinckley was found not guilty on grounds of insanity and sentenced to psychiatric treatment.
In the song, Propagandhi describes how the media, celebrities, and governments paint a romanticized picture of those who commit crimes of passion, making it sound like an act of heroism. They argue that this kind of mindset creates a dangerous environment where blaming society instead of the criminals is normal. Propagandhi calls for John Hinckley Jr. to be freed and insists that his imprisonment is emblematic of the system’s flaws.
Ultimately, Free John Hinckley is a song that aims to show how the media and celebrities create an environment where dangerous behavior can go unpunished and justice isn’t accurately served. The band calls for a system that doesn’t excuse people for their crimes, regardless of the circumstances.