Historically, protest songs are written and sung by performers to present a strong point of view regarding a political or social injustice. The Vietnam War was a one such political and social event that sparked many famous protest songs. Two of the most famous protest songs about the Vietnam War are “Fortunate Song” by Creedence Clearwater Revival and “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen. While written at opposite ends of the war, both songs share a similar point of view and similar musical styles. However in the end I believe that only one of songs is truly a successful protest song that continues to make a lasting impact on American politics and society.
While the Vietnam War technically started in 1950, the United States involvement
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John C. Fogerty was drafted into the US Army in 1966 and discharged in 1967. A few years later as the war continued to cost America many young men’s lives, he wrote the classic protest song “Fortunate Son” for his band Creedence Clearwater Revival. The song was included on their 1969 album “Willy and the Poorboys” and released as a single in 1967. The lyrics to the song are very straightforward as they tell the story of a man whose anger at the state of the draft cannot be contained. As the song begins, Fogerty’s voice rages against injustice as he angrily screams “It ain 't me, it ain 't me, I ain 't no senator 's son, son. It ain 't me, it ain 't me, I ain 't no fortunate one, no.” At this point in the song, the main character faces being drafted into the war while others who were born “silver spoon in hand” use their family power to avoid the draft. The song is a loud, fast paced rock song that makes its message heard in just 2 minutes and 22 seconds. The …show more content…
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
The American Civil War was a bitter, grief-filled conflict with oddly musical overtones. A Southern soldier, Alexander Hunter, recalled that “There was music in plenty,” (Lawrence 169) just as Charles Frazier’s character Stobrod in Cold Mountain remarks that “there was so much music back then” (407). While both the Union and the Confederacy placed great import on music, Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier focuses primarily on the Southern perspective of the war, in all of its aspects. Spiritual music gave soldiers hope, gave them something cheerful to listen to after their days of slogging through the grime of human remains, as Inman discovers during his journey. Songs of homecoming and perseverance also strengthened the women, children, and parents left behind, waiting with fearful hopes for the return of their loved ones. Ada’s continual reference to “Wayfaring Stranger” illustrates this point beautifully. Finally, the musical natures of both armies created a bond that otherwise would not have been possible, forming brief alliances among enemies. The impact of music during this period of American history was so great that General Robert E. Lee was heard to say “I don’t believe we can have an army without music” (Wiley qtd. in Waller and Edgington 147). Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain exemplifies this statement, interweaving music throughout the struggles of Ada and Inman, using it as a tool to express emotion and to give a common thread to the broken culture that was the American South. The dissonant harmonies of Civil War-era music both complemented and contrasted itself, creating new forms from old ones and forging bonds where there had been nothing.
Some people are born to become legends, Bruce Springsteen is one of them. From the second he was born and through his younger years everyone knew he was destined for something bigger than a regular nine to five life, they just didn’t realize the magnitude of what was to come. Born into a all around food middle-class family, no on in that house hold even Bruce, didn’t realize that within fifty years he would reach living legend status. Also have a title of one of the best musicians to every live. After working hard at what he loves, Bruce has become known as a musical hero and inspiration to his fans and fellow musicians. With his deep lyrics, amazing stage presence, incredible guitar skills, and his passion, he is an untouchable force in the music industry. Using his lyrics to vent his emotions and past, but to also add awareness to social issues around the world. Bruce and his love for music affected him his whole life, and has shaped into what he is today. His music now affects the world. His music has truly changed the world (musically and socially) forever.
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.
The movement against our involvement in the war started as small groups of peace activists and students, but eventually grew bigger in 1965. ("Vietnam War Protests.") Not only were they in disagreement of the involvement of the United States, but also all the men that were being drafted and the numbers of lives being taken because of what was seen as an unnecessary war. The song how he isn’t a military son or a fortunate one. (""Fortunate Son" Lyrics.") These lyrics can be seen as the disagreement of any American being sent to the Vietnam war and the protest against
"Fortunate Son" delivers a powerful anti-war message through their strategic use of repetition, political commentary, and imagery to clearly describe the corruption within the draft system. The master class has the opportunity to exploit the subject class by creating and waging wars, but the subject class suffers the bear brunt by serving in those wars with everything to lose and nothing to gain. The day to day struggle the subject class goes in their life remains in a constant factor with war raging on, they had no say in the matter and eventually they were shipped out to Vietnam to fight a war that spurned in order to liberate the country from communism. While the subject class fought those battles and losing everything in the process, the master class watched afar in their homes and continue their tax evasion while the rest of society suffers from taxes employed by the government to continue the war. In the midst of the war raging on, "Fortunate Son" emerged as one of the strongest and popular anti-war songs in the 1960's and 1970's amidst growing government opposition. The growing opposition greatly increased the mentality of the anti-war movement which gradually created a rift in the people and the government resulting massive distrust in presidential leaders. The unfortunate result led to troops pulling out of Vietnam in 1973 and leaving the South to fend for themselves against the North. The Vietnam war created a dark stain in American history, which
...o hear elongated versions of the short-long rhythm heard in Freedom’s Call. This suggests that the suffering is shared by the American people and Lincoln himself – he also lost a son due to the war.
You may of heard of the famous tune from the civil war called, When Johnny Comes Marching Home. This song would be sang among soldiers. It gave them something to do and to consume time because these soldiers aren't having the best of it. It gives soldiers something to be proud of and to cheer about. In the song it says many things about when the soldier Johnny comes home and how they'll cheer and shout. This gives soldiers something to fight for. They hear this music and think that people care for them and want to win the war so they can go marching home. This song had a huge impact on soldiers. This song gave families back at home hope that
The Vietnam War remains one of the most controversial battles of the twentieth century. America’s involvement in Vietnam was solely to prevent the spread of communism from North Vietnam into South Vietnam. America underestimated the power of the Vietcong and with increased losses and casualties; many citizens began to question the nation’s purposes and actions, and whether the war could be won at all (Candaele). Many of these concerns were expressed upon in popular music of the 1960s. Musicians began to voice their anger and opposition through anti-war and protest songs. Many people were drawn to these anti-war musicians due to their ability to capture the essence of protest in a poetic, psychedelic way. In order to capture the attention
This paper discusses the importance, literary elements, and historical impact of the song “Ohio” written by Neil Young and recorded by the rock group Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young. The song responds to the May 4, 1970, Kent State massacre, the killing of four students in a protest rally against President Nixon. The paper also goes on to discuss the song’s logos, pathos, and ethos appeals, as well as the message conveyed by the lyrics and accompanying instrumentation. “Ohio” is deemed one of the greatest anti-war protest songs and not only does it protest the war but exemplifies the horrifying deaths of four students who were only exercising their rights of the United States Constitution.
Music has been around for thousands of years. Music has progressed since that time and has slowly become what it is today. Though music has been around for such a long time, protest music just started to develop in the Vietnam Era, the year 1954. The war started the era of protest which, in turn, created a new form of music which incorporated a specific type of lyric that was a way of expressing protest through the song. Since music in this era was already a big thing, artists thought it would be a good idea to get their political viewpoints out there. They did it through something that affected everybody in that time and space. The artists view spread quickly through the country because of the catchy tune and the viewpoints that are listed. In the United States of America, it is a very common thing to conform to others in a group (Conformity…). Since conformity is such a common occurrence in a large group, all the artist has to do is find a couple of people in the group, group being an audience, who agree with the artist and the rest will unfold on its own. The artist will keep on performing while the word of him and his music will spread from person to person. Conformity will ultimately bring people together on the same viewpoint until eventually, there are thousands of people there with the artist to protest. These artists have grown over time along with the style of music that they bring along with them. Protest music still exists today and is one of the most effective forms of protest that we have.
Devastation, depression, deprivation and death were few of the many tragedies that Americans faced during World War II. “An immediate political, psychological and economic shift took place following the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, because the United States found itself unprepared,” (Ref.1) A majority of American men were forced to enlist and fight to their death, leaving their wives and children at home. The atmosphere of America changed, and the music during this time period painted a vivid picture of the variety of emotions faced during the time of sorrow and difficulty. Music not only portrayed the emotions and current circumstances of this time, but it also provided comfort, entertainment, and hope for the families at home through the use of swing/jazz music and topical songs.
As Americans we are passionate about “our American way of life” and how our government functions. Throughout history, our country has worked to spread democracy throughout the world. The second verse contains the lyrics, “Just a mission made of guns that paint rainbows in Vietnam”, bringing flashbacks to the Vietnam War. During this time, the United States
This essay describes the peace, protest and antiwar in the sixties with reference to the Vietnam War. The two songs “Universal Soldier” by Sainte-Marie and “Masters of War” by Bob Dylan. Both songs are sung by different-different artists but the main idea behind the song is totally related to war peace and protest for life against white people in 1960.
I decided to choose these songs because of what they represent, they portray the fact that even in the hardest times ( which is the time where a war is happening and lives are being lost) people still had enough hope that the war would end and peace would be accomplished or gained. For example, the song "The Unknown Soldier" This song represents the Vietnam War. This song was written to show how the conflict was being portrayed in the media at the time. As a matter of fact, the lines “Breakfast where the news is read/ Television children fed/ Unborn living, living dead/ Bullets strike the helmet’s head” portray the way news of the Vietnam war was being exhibited to ordinary people. However, there is another message: that as the rest of America
At the time of the songs release the Vietnam War was in full swing, and became popular to the “silent majority”. The