Protest Songs

trumpeter · #1 02-18-2007, 04:11 PM

I'm trying to learn more about the history of American Music and have to do a project on protest songs (and maybe perform one). I was wondering what some of the most famous protest songs were (as I was not around in the original 'protest song era')

Thanks

Introvox · #2 02-18-2007, 04:21 PM

and it's 1 2 3 what are we fighting for
don't ask me I don't give a damn
next stop is Viet Nam

and it's 5 6 7 open up the pearly gates
there aint no time to wonder why
Whooopie we're all gonna die

here's a website to help you

http://www.brownielocks.com/sixtieswarsongs.html

hope this helps

trumpeter · #3 02-18-2007, 04:24 PM

hmm seems pretty good

Thank you.

BassGod · #4 02-18-2007, 04:33 PM

Do they have to be protest songs from the classic era, or are modern ones allowed?

Graeme

AxtoOx · #5 02-18-2007, 04:33 PM

Chicago- Graham Nash
Ohio- CSNY
Country Joe and the Fish. I beileve the song is Fish. That's the one quoted above.
Sky Pilot- I don't remember it will come back to me.
Give Peace a chance- John Lennon
Atica State- John Lennon
Machine Gun- Jimi Hendrix
War Pigs- Black Sabbath
Big Yellow Taxi- Joni Mithcell
Anything done by Joan Baez

That's a mixture and a start.

trumpeter · #6 02-18-2007, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassGod

Do they have to be protest songs from the classic era, or are modern ones allowed?

Graeme

anything is good, but I think I'm going to concentrate on Vietnam-era songs.

billm · #7 02-18-2007, 05:32 PM

John Prine - Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore

BuffaloMO · #8 02-18-2007, 07:08 PM

How about

EDWIN STARR - "War"

http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/edwin_starr/war.html

AxtoOx · #9 02-18-2007, 07:16 PM

Born in the USA was meant to be a protest song, but everybody took it the wrong way. That's not the era your looking for though.

mrmoonjam · #10 02-18-2007, 07:25 PM

"Sky Pilot" was by the Animals.

AxtoOx · #11 02-18-2007, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmoonjam

"Sky Pilot" was by the Animals.

I thought so but wasn't sure enough to put it in writing. Singing it in my head didn't quite sound like Eric.

ryco · #12 02-18-2007, 07:29 PM

Time Has Come Today - Chambers Bros
Eve of Destruction - Barry Maguire
Revolution - Beatles
Volunteers of America - Jefferson Airplane

AxtoOx · #13 02-18-2007, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryco

Time Has Come Today - Chambers Bros
Eve of Destruction - Barry Maguire
Revolution - Beatles
Volunteers of America - Jefferson Airplane

I almost said Revolution but it's almost an anti protest song.
"If you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao, you ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow", the little red book was all over collages back then.

BassGod · #14 02-18-2007, 07:53 PM

Neil Young - Rockin' In The Free World

Not the proper era, but a protest song nontheless.

For an even more modern example, Matthew Good's North American For Life is a great song.

Graeme

ryco · #15 02-18-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AxtoOx

I almost said Revolution but it's almost an anti protest song.
"If you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao, you ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow", the little red book was all over collages back then.

Point taken to a point. I think Lennon was certainly talking about transcending politics - all politcs.

Looking back at the list I don't think Time Has Come was really as much about protest either - 'smore about personal tribulation. Rockin' bass part tho

canopener · #16 02-19-2007, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trumpeter

I'm trying to learn more about the history of American Music and have to do a project on protest songs (and maybe perform one). I was wondering what some of the most famous protest songs were (as I was not around in the original 'protest song era')

Thanks

How did you get stuck with that topic? You've got a lot of responses already, but your project can only be as good as your subject. I'd try to switch, if I were you!

FreeSpirit · #17 02-19-2007, 08:58 PM

Bruce Cockburn-If I Had Rocket Launcher

My fav. and most misunderstood song however is Springsteens Born In The USA. He also recently covered Bring em home.

bongomania · #18 02-20-2007, 03:15 AM

Check out a guy named Utah Phillips. http://www.utahphillips.org/
The man has an encyclopedic knowledge of protest songs, and he has performed and recorded tons of them, and he's a very deep character worth paying attention to.

buzzbass · #19 02-20-2007, 08:24 AM

For What it's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
BYOB - System of a Down

Lazylion · #20 02-20-2007, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AxtoOx

Country Joe and the Fish. I beileve the song is Fish. That's the one quoted above.

The official title is the Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag. From the Woodstock album!