Protesting the Vietnam War in Popular Songs - 988 Words

Artists have throughout history conveyed their thoughts, experiences, and opinions through their songs, whether these were for better or worse. In 1970, an artist by the name of Edwin Starr released his song, â€Å"War.† In 1971, Marvin Gaye released his song, â€Å"What’s Going On.† In 1965, P.F. Sloan released his song, â€Å"Eve of Destruction.† In 1963, Bob Dylan released his song, â€Å"Blowing in the Wind.† The artists wrote, recorded, and released these songs with the purpose to express their feelings of dislike against war, especially the Vietnam War and the racial wars occurring within America concurrently. The four songs listed above were all around the same era of time and were written, recorded, and inspired by the major events that occurred in†¦show more content†¦Additionally in â€Å"Eve of Destruction†, Sloan didn’t limit this song to one war, but spoke of another, concurrent war that was being fought within th e United States similar to Marvin Gaye and Edwin Starr. This second war mentioned in Sloan’s song was the war for civil rights being fought by the minority citizens of the United States. For example, Sloan states, â€Å"I’m sitting here, just contemplating. I can’t twist the truth, it know no relating. Handful of senators don’t pass legislation, and marches alone can’t bring integration, when human respect is disintegrating.† Bob Dylan was known for writing, recording, and releasing inspiring music in which the themes would serve as anthems to whomever it reached. Dylan’s â€Å"Blowing in the Wind†, released in 1963, would serve to be no different. The themes in this song suggest violence in general to be a terrible option in the face of adversity. Whether it is in another country or the home front is in the United States, Dylan’s song shows his disinterest and the vast majority’s disinterest in the Vietnam War an d treatment upon minorities at the time. In his song, he states, â€Å"How many times must cannonballs fly, before they’re ever banned?† He also states, â€Å"How many ears must one man have, before he can hear people cry?† These two verses referring to the Vietnam War are questioning the effectiveness of war. He is asking howShow MoreRelatedThe Song Bring Em Home 1743 Words   |  7 Pages The song â€Å"Bring ‘em Home† was a protest song about the Vietnam War. The song was written and performed by Pete Seeger. Pete Seeger was born in May 3, 1919. Since birth Pete Seeger had a musical orientated childhood. His parents were both involved with music in some way. His father majored in musicology and his mother was a concert violinist. Pete became interested with music in his teenage years. Seeger went on to the Harvard University but later dropped out. â€Å"Pete met, traveled and performed withRead MoreEssay on Protest Songs Throughout the Vietna m War1445 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout all the anti-war protests and marches during the Vietnam War, it is interesting to note the changes in the music of that time. From the beginning of the war, where support and loyalty from Americans was present in songs, to the end of the war, where anger and distrust was evident in musical lyrics, American’s opinion changed about the war. This change in opinion was easily recognized by the altering of musical lyrics about the war when Americans grew tired of the constant sending of URead MoreEssay about Music and Its Influence on 20th Century American History1270 Words   |  6 Pagesemotion there is in people. Music was around during the bad times as well as the good, when people were down, there were songs they could relate to, and when they were happy there were songs they could sing and dance to. Many people don’t think of how much music brightens and amplifies everyday things, such as movies; have you ever noticed how the directors always have a song or tune for every part of the movie bringing out just the right emotion in you. Radio too, what good would radio be todayRead MoreMusic And Cartoons Of The Vietnam War1710 Words   |  7 PagesAjax Diamandis Ms. Harris AP US History June 8, 2015 Art as History: Music and Cartoons of the Vietnam War The Vietnam War (1955-1975) was the longest war the United States has ever fought in and also the most controversial. Many Americans protested against sending their children across seas to fight in a war that did not involve the United States. Millions asked for a return to isolationism such as the 1920s. Meanwhile many protests went viral as the National Guard interfered, killing four at KentRead MoreEssay about Music throughout Society961 Words   |  4 Pagesmade its way everywhere. The songs that were sung defined what every American loved and worked for. It gave people hope and joy, as well as bringing out every other emotion possible. Music was around during the bad times as well as the good. When people were down there were songs they could relate to, and when they were happy there were songs they could sing and dance to (Ennis, 1992). In the 1920s the first pop music began with the big bands. They were a popular choice for many listeners, butRead MoreMusic, The Heart Of The Anti War Movement1453 Words   |  6 PagesMusic, particularly folk, was at the heart of the anti-war movement. In the 1960s, music was â€Å"tied to social change† and Americans were â€Å"emotionally close†¦to sixties music†, despite there being â€Å"little agreement on what folk music is†. Joan Baez â€Å"got the whole ethic of nonviolence at an early age† from her Quaker upbringing. In addition to her pacifist background, Baez took an interest in Ghandi and Martin Luther King from a young age. After hearing King speak at a high school event at fifteen, BaezRead MoreMusic During the Vietnam War Essay889 Words   |  4 Pageswere at risk of being drafted into the Vietnam War. This war brought on revolutionary and innovative ways of thinking. The young people of this decade wanted change and this brought a h uge difference in culture from the conservative fifties. Inspiration for many of the songs and lyrics of the time came from the Vietnam War. The war caused many people to protest and speak out about it. The main genres people used to show their attitudes about the current war were folk and rock. Hippies used musicRead MoreAnalysis Of Greenwich Village : Music That Defined A Generation2282 Words   |  10 PagesProtest music of the 1960s was a counterculture because through the form of music they would protest against the norm, war, government, civil rights, etc. Music was the main force for the younger generation to rebel against the older generation. In the documentary Greenwich Village: Music That Defined a Generation, Tom Bernadin stated that â€Å"money was not the driving force behind your existence† (Greenwich Village). In Greenwich Village and other places around the United States, younger people wouldRead MoreProtest Music s Influence On The Vietnam War1927 Words   |  8 PagesProtest Music’s Influence on the Vietnam War Andrew W. Long Pickens Academy Coach Tyler  Abstract Protest music influenced the Vietnam War in many ways. It changed how people thought about it, and also how people got through it. Most people would listen to the music and not be sad about the war anymore. Protest music also influenced political choices during the Vietnam War. It helped to bring the war to an end.  Protest Music’s Influence on the Vietnam War Music is influential in society. MusicRead MorePopular Culture And Music Affect U.s. Public Opinion On The Vietnam War2148 Words   |  9 PagesTo what extent did popular culture and music affect U.S. public opinion on the Vietnam War? I.B. Internal Assessment Chavez, Miguel History HL Port Chester High School Word Count: 2,131 May 2016 â€Æ' Table of Contents Part A: Plan of Investigation†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Page 3 Part B: Summary of evidence†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...Page 4 Part C: Evaluation of sources†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Page 7 Part D: Analysis †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Page 9 Part E: Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦