MUSIC+1960S


 * In the 1960s, music was a release for people, especially teenagers, of pent up anger toward their government, parents, etc. Although political music was not the only type of music that was made popular at this time, it was one of the most important (among others were psychedelic music, mod, electric, etc.). Below are a few of the most famous and controversial songs that were released throughout the 1960s, and more specifically, throughout the Vietnam War.

1964** "Draft Dodger Rag" - Phil Ochs This song is about a teenage boy using every excuse he can to get out of the Draft. Although this was a comical approach to the situation, many young men between ages 18-25 felt this way. When the draft was instated, people were scared to death of getting a notice in their mailbox, so many young men tried to pretend there was something wrong with them which would prevent them from being drafted. Below is a stanza from the song: //"Sarge, I'm only eighteen, I got a ruptured spleen And I always carry a purse I got eyes like a bat, and my feet are flat, and my asthma's getting worse Yes, think of my career, my sweetheart dear, and my poor old invalid aunt Besides, I ain't no fool, I'm a-goin' to school And I'm working in a DEE-fense plant"//

This song, even in the title, sends the message that many people in the 1960s felt about the war. A massive amount of Americans opposed the war because they felt as if it was a waste of time and money and grief for the citizens. The line "They want to test their weaponry, Bring them home, bring them home" is very reminiscent of how Americans felt. WWII had ended not long before, so in the spirit of being a superpower, America felt the need to step in and help out a tiny country no one had ever heard of to show off their power. This did not go over well with the citizens.
 * 1966**  "(If You Love Your Uncle Sam) Bring Them Home" - Pete Seeger

**1969** "Gimme Shelter" - Rolling Stones (1969) [|Rolling Stones- Gimme Shelter] This is a song about the fear that Americans were facing as the war in Vietnam was rising. Students and parents rose up against the government because of the Draft that had been started to send students to fight. Parents feared for their children and friends feared for their friends overseas who were fighting in a war that was not even relevant to the United States. Between the war and social issues, people in America were lost, amd the Rolling Stones response to this was a call to find shelter, security and a place to go during a time of such turmoil.
 * Below are a few selected stanzas that express this dire need to hide away from the dangers we faced in the 1960s:**

//Oh, a storm is threatning My very life today If I dont get some shelter Oh yeah, Im gonna fade away

War, children, its just a shot away Its just a shot away War, children, its just a shot away Its just a shot away

Rape, murder! Its just a shot away Its just a shot away//

**1969** "Give Peace a Chance" -John Lennon While there were artists like the Rolling Stones who wanted to escape the horrors around them, there were others who wished to resolve them. Lennon in "Give Peace a Chance" expresses his desire to give one more try to unite America and forget about the headlines. Lennon lists a ton of names and Buzz Words in this song and concludes each stanza with "give peace a chance". In the late 1960s, there was a major division between the people who wanted to fight onwards, the ones who wanted to escape, and the ones who wanted to give peace another chance.