It could be argued that ‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida’ served exemplary as testament to the changing attitudes towards rock music and psychedelic acid rock of the time. The prevalence of the genre was tangible, even the AFVN (American Forces Vietnam Network) added a special channel in 1968 for those soldiers serving overseas who had reported an interest in the musical style (Kramer, 2006). Perhaps this song was indeed the natural progression of music in a time of so much uncertainty for an entire generation fraught with equal parts revolutionary ideals and Cold War paranoia. The track’s tone, ambiance were defined by an eerily dark otherworldliness unheard of up until that point in rock music and arguably not replicated again until Black Sabbath’s NIB …show more content…
Thinly veiled behind the sunny melodies are the harsh realities of the late 1960’s, a sweeping sentiment of cynicism which overcame the nation. A collective “backlash against the hippie teachings of peace and love and the devolution of the nation’s youths into washed-out degenerates, and of course, the mind-bending effects of drugs” (Jackson, 2006). With crashing organ riffs, spaced out guitar tones, and a drum solo which can only be described as indulgent, the album epitomizes the drug induced landscape of the period while simultaneously exposing how far down the rabbit hole the collective generation had fallen. The song serves as a back-drop to the changing attitudes of the time, which would culminate in the death of carefree idealism expounded by the flower children in the Summer of …show more content…
Of course, the arguably excessive duration of the title track would if anything seem to lend it more credibility in the prog-rock genre. It seems a far leap to say that it is more connected stylistically to the heavy metal bands it would go on to influence than to the psychedelic bands which spawned its very creation. In any case, it can be effectively stated that Iron Butterfly does draw from countless genres but doesn’t have any clear stylistically obvious influences, with the exception of perhaps Cream. Their sound was decidedly deficient of the clearly demarcated blues influence prevalent in so many of their contemporaries. Instead, Iron Butterfly’s sound seemingly stemmed from another plane of existence and in this way they were unique. While their contemporaries, Led Zeppelin and Cream, had a sound clearly rooted in the blues of Robert Johnson, Iron Butterfly’s origins were not so clearly defined.As a result they would play a key role in the birth of a new sound, one which was both darker and heavier and completely unexpected for the time. As a testament to its longevity and cultural gravitas, the iconic tune would go on to be covered by acts like the Incredible Bongo Band and even thrash-metal band, Slayer. It would go on to play a role in both film and TV alike appearing in the film Manhunter and in a dedicated episode of The
“A Song in the Front Yard”, by Gwendolyn Brooks, illustrates the desire people develop to experience new things and live life according to their own rules. In the first stanza, Brooks uses diction of propriety and unfamiliarity to emphasize the author’s desire to change her life. In the first line, the author establishes that she is only familiar with one way of life since she has “stayed in the front yard all [her] life.” The author “stayed” in the front yard suggesting that she was able to leave the yard and experience new things, but she just was not ready. She was raised in the “front yard,” highlighting the idea that the “front” is the proper way for her to live her life. In the second line, the author realizes there is much more to experience in life and she “[wants] a peek at the back.” At this point in her life, she is not ready to abandon the only life she knows, but she wants to look at the other side of things and all of the different experiences she can have. In the third line, the back yard is described as being, “rough and untended and hungry weed grows,” again representing how Brooks is only used to one place. In the front yard, everything is neat, properly tended, and no weeds grow. After seeing this, she realizes that life is not always as perfect as she was raised to believe, so she wants a taste of something new. In the fourth line, the author says, “a girl gets sick of a rose,” showing how Brooks has had enough of the front yard life and needs to experience new things. The “rose” is used to represent life in the front yard. A “rose” is usually associated with perfection and beauty, reflecting the author’s life in the “front yard.”
The song "the Vertigo Motel" starts off with piano, bass and vocals. It's sounds like a love melody at first until you hear the lyrics. The lyrics are about a person hanging from a tree by their throat. The song changes parts many times, within a short period of time. It changes from piano melody to circus trance to heavy metal to jazzy and back and forth from one to another. This is one of the many songs that gives them their unique style. It's one of the best and one of the most musically talented songs featured on the album. Another song, "Cartoon Autopsy", has an eerie organ played over off beat drums with well-sung vocals, which makes it sound like a vampire movie theme. This changes to the chorus that is heavy and complex with more of a typical metal song.
Rock n’ roll gave people the voice they did not have in the early years. As the genre of music became more wide spread, people actually began to speak out. Altschuler touches on the exploration of how the rock n' roll culture roughly integrated with replaced and conflicted with preceding cultural values. Many of these values were very touch topics. Besides black civil rights, sexuality were one of the most sensitive t...
In the film To Live, a man and his family experience the effects of historical events of their own lives while living in China from the 1940s until the late 1970s. This film is a work of fiction, but it creates a generalization about the lives of the common folk and their imaginable struggle through life that they went through during the war. The war represented an ideological split between the Communist CPS and the KMT’s brand of Nationalism. Xu Fugui is one of the main characters and his name in Chinese means “Lucky & Rich.” Describing his character at the start on having an addiction to gambling and does not take responsibility for his actions. The film also hints slight social norms of gender inequality, such as with his wife, Jiazhen,
In Rock- The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Yorke provides a chronological approach to rock and roll from 1877- 1974. Although it is not extremely detailed, a general overview of each year’s music is presented. Throughout the book, many descriptive summaries of individual artists may be found along with classic pictures.
Rosen, Steve. "Rock's Dark Side: Manson Resurrected as an Anti-'60s Icon." The Denver Post (April 17, 1994): pg. F-01. Online. Internet. 5 June 2001. Available: Lexis-Nexis Universe.
Several even try to connect their music to the feelings of their audience. Some of the songs including, Jailhouse Rock, Good Vibrations, Purple Haze and Stayin’ Alive try to use women as the meaning of their songs. In addition, they are used to clarify the point in films of their time and influence an environmental change. Slowly, building into innovative ways to portray music that fits the era they were in. Each song was able to readjust the perception of war and help those forget the scary outcomes war was bringing. Therefore, music adapted by connecting the people as one to their era and providing them a tune that minimized their
For those of us born at the end of the Vietnam War, much of the music from that time period can remain hidden unless we make a point of seeking it out. Radio is replete with “classic rock” format stations, but like all other forms of mass media, listeners are relegated to a passive role, with little means of changing play lists that more-often-than-not overstate the effect of the British Invasion to the detriment of American rockers. For every Led Zeppelin garnering large amounts of airplay, there is a Creedence Clearwater Revival that is overlooked. The problem with British rockers from the era of the Vietnam War is one of credibility: any British musician (such as John Lennon) who tried to protest the Vietnam War sounded contrived at best. How could a British group object to a war in which they had no direct stake? These attempts at protest by foreign bands against the Vietnam War have the appearance of an orchestrated effort to “get on the bandwagon” and sell albums by using the charged feelings of the citizenry toward an unpopular military action. While this is a cynical view, it is one that nevertheless deserves consideration.
Lyrics “If you’re going to San Francisco be sure to wear some flowers in your hair. If you’re going to San Francisco you’re going to meet some gentle people there” described the gentle, free and loving scene that took over California. This was a positive way of calling upon the event, unlike the way it was describe in the media. Like any major event in history, a positive and negative side can be seen. Although drug use was present in the Summer of Love for those who took to psychedelic drugs to explore and expand their finding of a new life, the overall humble, good-natured and positive vibe that the event expelled cancelled out the negative decisions of some.
Although considered the day Rock ‘n’ Roll was born, many other events in American history have given foundation to this much loved idea. Rock ‘n’ Roll is much more than just music, rather it is the movement which underlines cultural imperialism. Rock had been promoting a culture of comfort and freedom from social constraints as well. Although the style of ‘Rock music’ is easily adaptable into many different sounds, it is still thoroughly identified by its definingly amplified rhythm. The sudden worldwide popularity of rock and roll resulted in an unparalleled social impact. Rock ‘n’ Roll influenced lifestyles, fashion, attitudes, and language in a way few other social developments have equaled. The social impact is so large that rock stars are worshipped worldwide. In its early years, many adults condemned the style of music, placing a stigma on its name, and forbid their children from listening and following its ways. Many considered Rock ‘n’ Roll culture as a bad influence to all people, but as the genre aged and the now not-so-young crowds had matured, Rock was respected and
"Psychedelic 60's: Foreword." University of Virginia Library. 16 Dec. 2009. Web. 29 May 2010. .
The theme of Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer is family bond and survival. The theme is family bond and survival because through the story they suffer pain and lost and that cause them to bond more and to help each other and stick together. The theme is also based on survival because they experience though stuff like bad weather and bad environment. They experienced many lost between neighbors, doctors, and people they love. They also experienced tough situation and people they love getting sick and feeling bad, and not being able to help around. And now let's move on to more details.
In closing, the undoubtable influence of music, more specifically of Rock ‘n’ Roll on American society is responsible for a number of changes to the status quo. These range from sexual liberation and racial desegregation all culminating with other influences to create an intergenerational identity. Despite the desperate attempts of older generations to smother these influences, these changes ultimately shaped the years that followed, molding the country into what it is today. Along the way these changes as well as individual involvement in them has also eased the lives of many through empowerment and a feeling of community and purpose. Despite a lull and renewal Rock ‘n’ Roll continues to serve as an agent of influence and change in today’s youth culture and continues to burn in the heart of past generations of loyal fans.
Being on the cutting edge of bizarre, alternative music is an elite privilege, complete with buzz words to exclude the mainstream. The music makes or breaks the scene. One rave deejay explains to Rosen and Flick (1992), "A great rave or techno record is like a religious experience. A bad one will give you a headache
British rock band Pink Floyd is known for their profound lyrics and often gloomy themes. One of the first bands to incorporate light shows at their concerts, Pink Floyd also experimented with contemporary albums and synthesizers in their music. The lyrics to some of their songs are said to contain references to psychedelic drugs and other narcotics which were a growing trend among young adults in both the US and UK at the time. Pink Floyd has written many symbolic songs over their career but one song in particular “Comfortably Numb” highlights the experience of being under the influence while also making a personal connection to band member Roger Waters.