War Protest Songs
War, what is it good for? Some would say absolutely nothing. This is the recurring theme in protest songs from the 1960’s through present day. This essay will show by comparing and contrasting songs from the Viet Nam era with the present day songs protesting war and the senselessness of going to war. The end result invariably is death for both sides. All of the songs, regardless of the setting and time focus on senseless death.
The songs of the 60’s contained lyrics which described the horrors of a war on a foreign and hostile soil. The young men of that era were drafted whether they believed in the political purpose put forth by the politicians sending them into harm’s way. Today’s soldiers are a voluntary military force, yet they too are questioning the purpose of the killing they are asked to commit.
The songs of both eras portray expression of freedom of speech which allows the youth of the country to question the politicians who make the decision to go to war yet place the burden of executing the war on the backs of our young men and women. With just a few insightful lyrics, these songs underscore the reality of war. People die. The songs question the end result of the carnage. What have we learned from killing when we seem to repeat the same mistakes over and over leading to senseless war.
For What it’s Worth - Where’s the love?
The lyrics from the Buffalo Springfield’s 1967 hit For What it’s Worth have come to symbolize the turbulent decade of the 1960’s. This song has been used in virtually every documentary, television special, and feature film (including Forrest Gump and Oliver Stone’s Born on the Forth of July) chronicling that era in America, becoming an anthem for an entire generati...
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... were created by amazing artists: Rolling Stone Magazine called “Who’s Next,” the album which “We Won’t Get Fooled Again” debuted on, as the 28th greatest album of all time, and Kerrang! Magazine claimed Green Day as the best Punk-Pop band of all-time.
Conclusion
The country has just debated the reasons, or lack thereof, of why the President and Congress authorized the war in Iraq in the recent presidential election. The country remains bitterly divided with the majority of the country believing the war is not being conducted properly and is lasting much too long. The political climate has produced protest songs in which the purpose of war is again questioned, as it was in the 60’s. As long as war results in the inevitable death of our young soldiers, it is our duty to question the purpose and goal of executing a war which is exactly what these songs accomplish.
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Springsteen wrote “Devils & Dust” during the Iraq War. He has been openly against the war and has been quoted saying to Rolling Stone, “As the saying goes, "The first casualty of war is truth." I felt that the Bush doctrine of pre-emption was dangerous foreign policy. I don't think it has made America safer.” The song itself could be interpreted as a soldier’s point of view about the war but overall it stands as a critique on our society betraying its own principles. The first couple of verses in the song already evoke the image of a soldier stuck in a war. “I got my finger on the trigger / But I don’t know who to trust” could be understood as a soldier’s experience in war but it could also have a deeper meaning. It could also signify that our society has to make these important choices that will end up affecting people’s lives but it is all too ambiguous, there just isn’t any certainty. We are left with the desperate feeling of not knowing what to do, not knowing wh...
To the persistent individual, though, there is a body of music in existence that merits regard. It is powerful music written by the youth of America, youngsters who did have a stake in the Vietnam War. There can be little question about the origins of the power which American protest music conveyed: those who wrote such music lived each day with the real knowledge that they were losing friends in, and could possibly be forced themselves to go to, Vietnam. One such group, Creedence Clearwater Revival, made its contribution to this genre near the end of the Vietnam War.
...tates how the things that we don’t know won’t ever hurt us. It is true that we are slave-mentally addicted to being ignorant by believing in the conspiracy that the television shows.
Dylan’s anti-war bias, simply repetitive tone, religious allusions and aggressive description add to our understanding of his overall perspective, whilst Black’s partisan bias, catchy chord progression and direct allusions strengthen our comprehension of his viewpoint. Analysing these war anthems provides us with a better understanding of the influence of music and how popular political songs may subtly express a perspective without doing so explicitly. Songs that explore political issues do not necessarily have to be openly hostile to be effective, though it is important for one to be able to recognise the true motives of an artist’s lyrical manipulation, tone and musical
The proponents of contracting out assume that outsourcing in the IT sector is useful in strategic, technological, and economic reasons. (Gonzalez, Gasco & Llopis, 2009) They believe that outsourcing enables an organization to get the same or better services with lower cost. First, strategic advantages enable organizations to refocus on strategic and core functions, and provide flexibility for organizations because organizations need not to concern about routine tasks (Gonzalez, Gasco & Llopis, 2009). OPPGA (1998) also support these strategic advantages. It asserts that outsourcing can provide organizations with great flexibility in personnel and facilities in short-term projects. Outsourcing providers can provide better services for clients since they usually use new and developed technologies. Second, proponents think that outsourcing gives organizations opportunities to access to technology and reduce technological obsolescence without large investments (Gonzalez, Gasco & Llopis, 2009). Lastly, Pros assume that contracting out can save s...
Throughout time, music has been an influential part of society. As a form of entertainment and expression, its impact has always been felt both economically and emotionally. During the Vietnam war, music evolved into more a form of expression rather than pure entertainment. Emotionally charged songs became a method to oppose the war, and vent frustrations. While many songs opposed the war, numerous others focused on peace and happiness. They provided a positive perspective in an otherwise depressing time. Along with incorporating passion into music, cultural diversity increased in music greatly. Black artists became progressively more popular and accepted in the musical scene. This respect carried over to society slowly but surely. During the Vietnam war, music played a crucial role in the societal evolution into a state where emotions fueled actions, more emphasis was put on equality, all opinions counted.
Because the war was so unpopular back in the United States, the returning veterans faced many challenges on their return home. What should have been a celebrated homecoming became a nightmare for many veterans. In addition to any injuries or lasting effects of the war, their needs were largely ignored by the nation. This plight of the Vietnam veteran is the subject of Bruce Springsteen’s popular song “Born in the U.S.A.” The song is the lead track on his 1984 album of the same name and was a huge hit for Springsteen. Personally Springsteen considers it one of his greatest songs, but he is disappointed that its message was never fully understood. Coming in at a length of 4 minutes and 44 seconds, the song “Born in the U.S.A.” is exactly twice as long as “Fortunate Son.” However the impact is not twice as great. Springsteen’s message and cause is noble and needs to be heard. He sees that Americans have collectively turned their backs on the very men who risk their lives to protect their freedom. But the songs simple chorus anthem is often misunderstood by those who hear the song. Like Fogerty, Springsteen sings with more passion than classic technique. He shouts and screams above the crackling drum driven beat of the song as he tells the story of a poor boy fighting a rich man’s war. This theme is very similar to “Fortunate Son” and in fact a person could see this man as the same character in
Throughout 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 U.S. troops to Vietnam. The growing dissatisfaction with the Vietnam War led to increasing levels of anger and hostility in the popular music of the time.
Overall, in my opinion it was a tough documentary to understand. I watched it at least four times to get a better grasp of the story line. It was kind of confusing in my perspective because I felt they could have done a better explanation of the story. I wasn’t sure myself of what was the point of the documentary that they are trying to display. I had to do some outside research to understand the real reason. Other than that, I did like the concept of the documentary and how they interviewed several people in the film. In addition, I believed the news clippings in the film were very effective because it shows that they did their research and backing up their evidence.
The Vietnam War is one of the most controversial issues in American history. It is no secret that the American public was not in favor of this war, which is why the government’s decision to keep the US involved for over ten years created such a disconnect between America’s people and their government. In the third verse the Temptations sing, “People all over the world are shouting 'End the war.'” The Temptations bravely attack the government, addressing their continuation of a war no one wants. Although The Temptations avoid explicitly naming the war, or the government as the guilty party, it is evident that this is a criticism, or at least an acknowledgement of a predicament America found itself in.
Outsourcing is a technique for companies to reassign specific responsibilities to external entities. There are several motivations for outsourcing including organizational, improvement, cost, and revenue advantages (Ghodeswar & Vaidyanathan, 2008).
The war polarized the country and music reflected that polarization. “Rock music was forever linked to the ferment of social change and widespread dissent against American actions and social conditions that violated the nation’s professed beliefs” (McGovern, n.d.). Protest songs such as “Ohio”, by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, and “Fortunate Son”, by Creedence Clearwater Revival, said what protesters felt. John Lennon and Yoko Ono were vocal in their opposition to war and various social issues. Bob Dylan’s influence as a writer of social commentary became very clear with his Blowin in the Wind” and “The Times They are a Changin”. He wrote, “Don’t criticize/what you can’t understand/Your sons and daughters are beyond your command/Your old road is/Rapidly aging/Please get out of the new one/If you can’t lend a hand” (Dylan, 1963). Songs such as these became anthems and rallying points for a group who was weary of war, and would no longer be ignored (Gilmore, 1990). Rock had become the voice of the discontented. “An LSD crazed Jimi Hendrix played “The Star Spangled Banner” on a screaming guitar, war policies were denounced, hatred of various US officials was voiced, the war and the draft were mocked” (Repellent, 2010). All of these statements were decidedly against everything that previous generations believed. In a very strong, very loud, very public voice, music of the period questioned evil,injustice, violence, and
The 1960’s was a time of war and fear for the United States and many people were turning their accusations towards the government. “Masters of War” was written by Bob Dylan in late 1962 and early 1963. The focus of this song is a protest against the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis that was happening during the early 1960’s. The song is protesting on the American government having its citizens live in fear of a constant attack and hiding behind their shroud, unaffected by anything that would happen to the people. It shook the nation with its fierce and angry tone against the “military industrial complex.” Dylan’s lyrics stated that it was not contained by declaring a pointless war and not taking responsibility for the problems it was causing. “Masters of War” is a powerful song against the government and the military. The protest song “Masters of War” by Bob Dylan highlights how the looming aspect of the Cold War affected the people of the United States and demonstrates Dylan’s view on the governments involved.
Outsourcing has been around for many years. In this paper I will discuss some of the history of outsourcing, the goods things about outsourcing, and the bad things about outsourcing.