Written to condemn the Kent State Shooting of 1970, the song “Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - and written by Niel Young - effectively supported the large number of anti-war protests held among students and young adults in America. On May 4, 1970, students of Kent State University gathered on campus to protest the American invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War. As students flooded the quad to exercise their constitutional right to protest, the National Guard - arms in hand - perceived their gathering as a threat and responded by fatally shooting four students and seriously injuring nine. This attack set off national shock, which caused the media to extensively cover the event, leading to songwriter Neil Young's awareness of the …show more content…
In addition, it called out President Nixon’s actions explicitly, signifying the band’s apparent support of the anti-war movement. “Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young distinguishes itself as a unique anti-war song because of its direct criticism of President Nixon. “Ohio’s” explicit lyrics stood out from other anti-war songs because most others had vague lyrics and didn’t address the problem directly. This strengthened its effort of appealing to young adults which galvanized a movement that inspired activism further, solidifying its status as a standout among anti-war songs of its time. Protesting the Kent State Shooting of 1970, band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young released their song “Ohio.” The group recorded the song in May 1970 at Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles. The crew recorded it live in only a few takes, and released it in June that same year. Canadian band member Neil Young wrote the lyrics, and the supergroup produced the song alongside him. Young’s motivation to write this song stemmed from the Kent State Shooting’s controversy. It caused students nationwide to strike, forcing many universities to shut down …show more content…
This attack on Nixon was an opinion shared by many Americans, but something other artists feared to call out. The song's controversy set it apart from other anti-war songs. Notably, “Ohio” differs from the lofty and vague lyrics of John Lennon’s “Imagine.” “Ohio” clearly states its stance on the war. In addition, the song’s focus on the death of regular civilians, not the death of soldiers, adds an element of personability to the listener. It conveys to them that the war spread far beyond Vietnam, and people in America are dying as a result as well. In addition to differing from the typical anti-war song, “Ohio’s” tempo is notably different from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s usual style. The guitar is dark and serious, indicating the song addresses something important. The song features haunting harmonies that add to the depth of the song’s lyrics. Contrasting its intense lyrics, the musical arrangement of “Ohio” is not complex. Its primary focus is on the words and guitar riff, which allows the meaning of the song to shine. By changing their style, CSNY showcased the song’s significance. Notably, Young – the song’s writer – is
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.
At the time it was the heart of the Greenwich Village folk scene” (51st 2). “Young was the guy who had applied for the permit to sing in Washington Square. And when it was rejected, he helped organize the protest” (Simon 2). Izzy attempted to construct a peaceful demonstration asking people’s right to sing. The Beatnik Riot of 1961 characterized the young Americans of the United States that were fighting for their rights.
The 1960s was the era of rebellion. It was a time when views of many people started to change dramatically as unexpected things were happening from the Cold War to the assassinations of nation’s leaders. So within this disturbed era, many citizens started to rebel and question the authorities saying that they were ruining the country. The younger generation, especially, stood firmly in front to lead the action to change the ideas of the older generation. One of the main methods they used to speak their opinions was through music and we can see the power it had on the people through one of the main protest anthems called “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1969. The song speaks out to the elite controlled America and becomes one of many instances of the younger generation questioning and rebelling against the authority in the late 1960s. They send people a message that the citizens of United States do not live in a fair world and the authorities are not doing their jobs. By creating images through the comparative and descriptive lyrics such as who “waves the flag” , and “some folks are born with silver spoons in hand”, its repetition of the chorus “it ain’t me” and the instrumentation of the song which sounds like the cry of the working class to signify that the Vietnam War is a rich man’s war and a poor man’s fight, this song by the Creedence Clearwater Revival shouts to the world that the elite-controlled America is unfair as it can get; and becomes a big part of the counterculture movement. However, contrary to the message of the song, challenges to authority and privilege did not come exclusively from the working class. Rather, members of the upper class were also involved in opposition movements, for instance vi...
While the songs written for the American Revolutionary war were somewhat speculative, and depending on the song, poked fun at their enemies. The songs written and sung about the war in Iraq were anything but. They outlined the issues and say everything that they feel is true regarding the situation the United States is in. For example in the song written by Neil Young "Lets Impeach the President." The lyrics in this song are deep and correlate directly with the feelings of many American citizens. For example “Let 's impeach the President for lying and misleading our country into war” (YouTube) these lyrics as well as the video depict a propaganda style. Following life changing events, such as a new life experience or a national crisis, songs are written to show and demonstrate its impact. Whether it is in the 18th century or the 21st century the premise is still the same and can be seen throughout the
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.
During the turbulent era of the 1960s, youth excelled boundaries and expectations to adequately improve the world. Throughout this time, many individuals were trying to juggle the conflicts between racism, sexism, and the turning point in the Vietnam War, the Tet Offensive. This battle occurred in 1968, and was a watershed moment in the Vietnam War that ultimately turned many Americans against bloodshed. “The total casualties – dead, wounded, and missing in action – had grown from 2,500 in 1965 and would top 80,000 by the end of 1967” (Willbanks 6). Destruction from the poignant fighting convinced rising numbers of Americans that the expense of United States’ commitment was too immense. The Anti-War movement gained momentum as student protesters and countercultural hippies condemned this kind of violence. As a result, many American citizens attended a three-day concert, Woodstock, because they desperately needed a place to be rescued from the brutality and turmoil. A young member of “The Beatles,” John Lennon, created music that was essential for the success of antiwar uprisings, as well as Woodstock attendees who justify the purpose of attending. Woodstock abruptly became a compelling icon; a turn of events where even all of the world’s calamities could not conquer the notions of peace, harmony, and cultural expression driven by young Americans to assert their voices as a generation, by genuine music and proclaims made by Woodstock celebrators.
Songs of peace and harmony were chanted throughout protests and anti-war demonstrations, America’s youth was changing rapidly. Never before had the younger generation been so outspoken. Fifty thousand flower children and hippies traveled to San Francisco for the "Summer of Love," with the Beatles’ hits song, "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band" (listen) as their light in the dark. The largest anti-war demonstration in history was held when 25,000 people marched from the Capitol to the Washington Monument, once again, showing the unity of youth.1
The 1960’s was one of the most controversial decades in American history because of not only the Vietnam War, but there was an outbreak of protests involving civil and social conditions all across college campuses. These protests have been taken to the extent where people either have died or have been seriously injured. However, during the 1960’s, America saw a popular form of art known as protest music, which responded to the social turmoil of that era, from the civil rights movement to the war in Vietnam. A veritable pantheon of musicians, such as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan sang their songs to encourage union organizers to protest the inequities of their time, creating a diverse variety of popular protest music, which has reached out to the youthful generations everywhere demanding for a revolutionary change. The protest music took the children of the 1960’s to a completely new different level. Musicians of this generation were not going to sit and do nothing while the government lied to the people about what was going on in Vietnam. Instead, they took their guitar-strumming troubadours from the coffee houses, plugged them in, and sent the music and the message into the college dorm rooms and the homes of the youth of America. However, as decades went by, protest music does not have much of an impact as it use to because of the way things have changed over the years. Through the analysis of the music during the 1960’s, there shall be an understanding on how the different genres of protest music has affected social protesters based on how musicians have become the collective conscience of that generation through their lyrics and music and the main factors that contributed to the lack of popula...
The year is1965, 8 years into the Vietnam war and 2 years in the shadow of a presidential assassination, marked the inception of an artistic vision, cut to Vinyl. Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 revisited is a testament to the state of America in the 1960s, using poetic devices, and engaging rock and roll music to capture the imagination of a breadth of people, unwittingly, it would seem, brought change to the minds of Americans. Opening their eyes to what was happening and inflicting a sense of new found justice in their hearts, Living vicariously through Bob Dylan’s intense imagery, due to the events unfolding in that period, People latched on to Dylan’s lyrics and imposed their own expression and feeling onto his songs.
In the 1960s, the anti-war movement grew rapidly in America. The party reached the summit in 1968 by collecting members of various age ranges throughout the country 6. The song "Revolution," produced by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, expresses the irony of the political group. Although the party is against...
War opposers gathered around at Woodstock in 1969 to experience “3 days of peace and music.” Woodstock captured the American antiwar spirit. Jimi Hendrix played his famous rendition of the star spangled banner on his electric guitar. His interpretation captured the agony of war with the harrowing sound of bombs bursting and jets clashing within the song. Although Woodstock was a music festival, the event consisted of expressions of anti-war. Musicians such as Country Joe, chanted their anti-vietnam protest songs to the audience. The impact of the anti-war movement shaped artists’ music and changed the face of Rock and Roll
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.
At college sit-ins and protest rallies, students challenged faculty policies and demanded an end to curfews, dress codes, and strict dormitory visitation rules. In the summer of 1968, the angry Counterculture youths also protested at the Democratic National Convention. They were furious with the party's elders who supported Vice President Hubert Humphrey for nomination. Humphrey supported LBJ's Vietnam policy, and this was exactly what the youths did not want. The police and protesters clashed, and as many were beaten and arrested they chanted “The whole world is watching, the whole world is watching” as the whole catastrophe was being televised to millions of
"I hope some day you will join us, and the world will live as one" Simplicity combines with deep meaning when John Lennon expresses his thoughts in his song "Imagine." This song was a huge hit in the 70’s, the time in which the Vietnam War was occurring. John Lennon’s “Imagine”, was a protest song that questions the morality of war, shows anti-war statements and emphasizes the importance of world peace. In America, every civilian has the Freedom of Speech. For this, artists have every right to compose a protest song. Even if the government is not fond of it, anyone could potentially write a song going against his or her beliefs, which is exactly what Lennon did with "Imagine," in a peaceful way. At the time Lennon’s song went against most beliefs, for people believed that violence in war was the answer to everything. Amongst passive resistance, the refusal to cooperate with legal requirements, strikes and angry mobs, Lennon chose the much calmer approach and simply composed a protest song. A protest song is simply a song that argues a point and tries to encourage one thing against another. In his song "Imagine", Lennon protest that the World should live in peace; keep in mind the Vietnam War was occurring at the time. It was then that protest songs were created to try and make points across, without the actual violence of rioting in protest.
He is suggesting that if we simply choose to make peace for once in our lives rather than resorting to war, then that could create an easier solution and would save millions of lives. The Stanford University has stated that “This song was especially appealing to the youth, as that generation held a more global viewpoint within the human race and being made to fight in the Vietnam War against their own free will” (Stanford, 2014). With this evidence, it appears that John Lennon had successfully influenced people to dispute against the Vietnam War. In 1971, John Lennon had become friends with co-founder of a Youth International party Jerry Rubin (Hammet, 2016). They had organised massive rallies during the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention to protest the Vietnam War (Weiner, John 2016).