Willie Nelson, you sweet, trusting man.
I know it sounded like a good idea doing a sad(der), countrified version of Coldplay's "The Scientist" as a protest against industrial farming techniques. And in another context, it totally would have been.
And I'm sure some folks who see this clever, slightly eerie video will be moved by it. Mostly by your heartfelt vocals that we've loved for years. And filmmaker Johnny Kelly's stop-action animation is, in fact, smooth and professional and clever.
But this project was commissioned by Chipotle Mexican Grill. The same Chipotle that grew its operations exponentially while receiving the majority of their investments from the McDonald's Corporation. The same McDonald's that makes "chicken" McNuggets out of processed chicken product.
And sure, since splitting from McDonald's, Chipotle founder Steve Ells has released his Food With Integrity mission statement, highlighting their commitment to organic, naturally-raised, hormone-free meats and cheeses and beans. Thank goodness for all that.
But this is also the same Chipotle that features mass produced sculptures of cartoonish Mayan kings and warriors to hang on the walls of all 14 billion of their restaurants. It's a "Mexican grill" so I suppose we need some indication of that in this corrugated steel and cement and wood box we're sitting in, enjoying these authentic Mexican dishes like barbacoa burrito bowls and Diet Coke.
I suppose if you wanted to support ANY fast food restaurant, Willie, it makes sense that Chipotle would be the one you would choose with your passion for natural farming practices. But why support a fast food chain in the first place? That doesn't seem your style, man.
I'll admit, I really like your gravelly, slowed-down cover of the song. Especially with the adorable pig grunts and swelling slide guitar. But then, there's that darn Chipotle logo there on that truck at the end, and I'm yanked out of this 30 second utopia y'all created and I'm left wondering what the hell this world is we're living in.
Enjoy the dividends, my man. I'm going to try to stick to something more local.
