The Impact Of Popular Music In The Vietnam War Music

703 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The impact of Martin Luther King Jr

Music written during the 1960s and 70s characterized the discontent of American youth with the escalation of America’s involvement in the Vietnam war.
In April 30,1954 the Vietnam war took place at an unusual time in the United States of America history. There was a myriad of women giving birth in the years 946 to 1959, they called this babies baby boomers.
This baby boomer created a full-fledged youth culture by that time, it was a culture based largely on music. So when public sentiment turned against the war, so did popular songs at the time.
Americas involvement in the Vietnam war wasn 't immediate there was only 5,000 soldiers in the 1960.So at this time the American society wasn 't paying much attention, but the protest movement had already …show more content…

Pro-war songs promoted duty and patriotism whereas antiwar music were against drafting and patriotism.
Popular artist began to record songs that reflected people’s disapproval overt the war and eventually became a new method of protest.
Bob Dylan recorded the song ‘The Times They are changing’ that was written in 1963, just before the public began to disapprove of Americas involvement in the Vietnam war, In the lines of this song bob Dylan says “There is a battle outside and its raging, it will soon shake your windows, rattle your wall “referencing to the Vietnam war. He goes even further saying “Come mothers and fathers, throughout the land, and don’t criticize, what you can’t understand, your sons and daughters are beyond your command. Dylan is trying to express the frustration and anger at how many parents sons and daughter were sent off to war.
Furthermore the famous artist john Lennon ex member of the popular rock group the Beatles, recorded a song called “Give peace a chance “in 1969,this song is an effective and artful protest of the warm since everyone sings together in harmony, demonstrating how people can find common ground in their protest of the …show more content…

Singers and musicians collaborated with ethnomusicologists and song collectors to disseminate songs to activists, through publications.
Songs reflecting the themes of the civil rights movement were not limited to Folk music that was generally associated with American protests songs but could be found in all types of music.
The jazz revolution of the 1960s was affected by the civil rights movement, there was a variety of blue songs compared the oppression of the southern blacks in the early 1960s to the racial injustices earlier in the century and before.
Martin Luther king knew the civil rights movement needed a south track and that every hero needs a theme music. This movement incorporated jazz, folk, and gospel to use music that everybody could relate to and be inspired to help change America in the year 1950s and 1960s.
Songs like “We Shall not be moved” represented the determination of those in the civil rights movement in the face of government and social oppression. This lines say,” Like a tree that stands by water, we shall not be moved”. Music had an enormous impact in the war because It promoted the first amendment that is the freedom of speech, it helped the American society to develop by exerting deep lasting influences on the form of popular music paving its way towards musical expressions in times of

Show More
Related

  • All Shook Up: How Rock 'n' Roll Changed America

    792 Words  | 2 Pages

    The development of Rock ‘n’ Roll in the late 1940s and early 1950s by young African Americans coincided with a sensitive time in America. Civil rights movements were under way around the country as African Americans struggles to gain equal treatment and the same access to resources as their white neighbors. As courts began to vote in favor of integration, tensions between whites and blacks escalated. As the catchy rhythm of Rock ‘n’ Roll began to cross racial boundaries many whites began to feel threatened by the music, claiming its role in promoting integration. This became especially problematic as their youth became especially drawn to ...

    Read More

  • Comparison of the Vietnam War and in The Things They Carried

    1796 Words  | 4 Pages

    It was a very bloody war, with more than 58,000 American soldiers having perished in combat. Also, during the decade of direct U.S Military participation in Vietnam, during early times of the year, 1964 the U.S treasury spent over 140 billion dollars on this war. “This was enough money to fund urban projects in every major American city” (history.com). As this war affected the American’s, it affected the Vietnamese people too. This war affected both the American’s and the Vietnamese, because in the year 1973 the United States began withdrawing troops.

    Read More

  • In the 1960's, People Turned to Music for Hope, Peace, and Happiness

    1224 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the 1960s and the early 1970s, music reflected the political and social changes that America was undergoing at the time. Some of these major changes included the African-American civil rights movement and the conflict over America’s role in the Vietnam War. During these hard times, people turned to music for hope, peace, happiness and answers.

    Read More

  • Creedence Clearwater and the Vietnam War

    2825 Words  | 6 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • World War II Culture

    855 Words  | 2 Pages

    Music of the 40s was swing, blues, country, but above all the sixteen piece big band. World War II may have been the focus of the decade, but music was the focus of the war. Songs ranged from patriotic songs to songs for fun and dancing such as the Rumba, mambo, cha-cha, and conga line. These South American dances became very popular during the 1940s especially among the women (Popular and Social Dance). The war was a very emotional period for everyone, not just the soldiers, so the music of the war tapped into a lot of emotions. The songs were made for people to help get through their rough times. The emotions ranged from hope and love to loneliness and heartbreak. Music was an ionic symbol of World War II. Music continues to affect the modern-day world in positive ways (Rose,

    Read More

  • Music Influence on the Civil Rights Movement

    1034 Words  | 3 Pages

    "Songs and the Civil Rights Movement." Songs and the Civil Rights Movement. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.

    Read More

  • The Influence of Race on Rock and Roll

    1192 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the 1950s rock-n-roll established its own marks in history. It spread throughout the decade in a thrilling, substantial, and even livid to those Americans trying to get rid of all sorts of conflicts and challenges that occurred during this time period. As exciting as this music was, the novel “All Shook Up” portrays how rock-n-roll brought many changes to the American culture and later to the sixties. It expresses many concerns such as race relations, moral decays, and communism, but in ways that are partially true.

    Read More

  • Music During the Vietnam War

    1287 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Rock-N-Roll Music

    709 Words  | 2 Pages

    After many of World War II’s harmful effects, the 1950s served as a period of time of musical change that reflected the dynamic of society as well as the traditional norms and values. Many factors contributed to this transformation. For example, the civil rights movement heightened many racial tensions, and the music produced consequently manifested this tension in itself. Rock-n-roll and R&B music universalized music typically associated with African-Americans, and many African-American musicians gained fame; however, as with any relatively-widespread success, there were many musicians as well who missed their opportunities due to the same racial segregation. While “radical” genres such as R&B and rock-n-roll laid the foundation for music future forms of music, the standard pop, jazz, and country music adhered to traditional values, and thus continued to maintain popularity amidst phenomena such as the Elvis craze.

    Read More

  • The Civil Rights Movement

    885 Words  | 2 Pages

    One very important figure at this time was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King had a dream and his dream still lives on now even decades later. Dr. King was a non violent Civil Rights leader. King wanted everyone to be treated equal all over the United States. He lead marches and gave many speeches. True freedom and equal rights was all black people wanted. Being equal meant having the choice to go where ever they wanted and do what ever they wanted no matter what color of skin they had, so this is a little of what the Civil Rights Movement was all about.

    Read More

  • Bob Dylan and Popular Music

    3157 Words  | 7 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Music In Protest

    2250 Words  | 5 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Saigon Bride Essay

    831 Words  | 2 Pages

    Prior to the war, Baez had also demonstrated civil disobedience in her tax resistance and became a civil rights activist. In 1967, she was participant in a series of anti-war rallies, and she was even arrested that year for blocking the entrance to the US Armed Forces’ induction ceremony. “Saigon Bride” was an attempt to further launch anti-war ideals, bringing to light the atrocities and needless death caused by the Vietnam War. I believe her song was effective in changing the American public opinion because of the choice of media. Even though an anti-war newspaper article may share the same sentiments expressed in a song, a song is likely to be more widely accepted. Unlike a newspaper article that is disposed and forgotten about the following week, a song’s popularity continues to survive throughout years. As a form of entertainment, songs are more popular and extensively shared as opposed to other media forms, allowing opinions, such as the Baez’s anti-war beliefs, to continue to stay

    Read More

  • Music During The Civil War

    938 Words  | 2 Pages

    At home, people would sing together at outdoor meetings and rallies, while musical soirees raised money for troops. Songs would be written to voice opinions (H-Net Reviews: “Battle Hymns”) and to organize these opinions and thoughts. Music provided entertainment and relaxation to families with soldiers in the war, and connected families to their children, parents, siblings and the cause they were fighting for (NPS- “The Civilian Experience in the Civil War). Specially written music was performed and sung for entertainment during strenuous times and to welcome troops home. This music also helped families support/sustain life without their siblings (Library of Congress). Finally, this music was written to establish a cause and allowed for the gathering of information. After tedious and bloody battles, like Antietam or Gettysburg, somber tunes helped families who were mourning the loss of a family member turn to a positive outlook on the future (3). In these instances, music provided a major contribution to civilian experiences during the American Civil

    Read More

  • Culture and Music of the 70's

    1856 Words  | 4 Pages

    Music is an outlet to all aspects of life and culture is a significant way of forming people and the way they live. Although not always seen directly culture has an overbearing influence on the music that is produced and made popular. The political Climate of the early seventies was full of fire with issues such as Vietnam and constant protest throughout the county. Later in the 70’s the end of the Vietnamese conflict brought the rise of the Watergate scandal and Iran Contra. These issues swept headlines and ingrained people’s thoughts. Social issues also played a big role in the developing culture of the seventies. Protests and constant outbreaks about gay rights and women’s rights seemed to overtake the country in storm. Later in the Decade the social climate changed to a celebration of the Past and a can-do attitude. Political and Social climates had an overbearing influence on the attitude that was being developed throughout the seventies. This climate was also transparent in the music world of this decade. In the early 70’s music lyrics were being created that were representative of the popular method of protest and social change. Music is a common way of expression and during this time artist and groups took the most of their popular music by expressing viewpoints on present issues. In the mid to late seventies the birth of new styles that broke from the old seemed to dominate the music industry. These new types of music ranged from disco to television pop. The music of the decade represented the culture and was greatly influenced by events and beliefs of the 70’s. At this time in American history, music and life became closely nit. In the late 1970’s, national issues settl...

    Read More

More about The Impact Of Popular Music In The Vietnam War Music

Open Document