Music of Protest Activity

Introduction

The 1960s were a time of tremendous change in American History. The Cold War heightened everyone’s fears, as baby-boomers came of age and new questions were asked about old assumptions. It is often hard to reconstruct a place in time. We can know the events, but we might not know what people thought about those events. We might look at a picture, but we do not yet have the ability to do “scratch-and-sniff” history. We can, however, know what a lot of the era sounded like.

More than likely, you have heard a song that gained popularity in the 1960s or the 1970s. You have probably had the radio on in the car and heard music that you enjoyed, but never quite understood. To understand certain songs as they were originally intended, it is necessary to analyze the culture in which they were written.

Protest songs are those generally associated with a social movement. They can be songs that protest policy, general attitudes, or even protestors. Songs become protest songs when they are embraced by a particular people advocating for a certain cause. Songs that were not originally intended to be protest songs may still be embraced by a movement.

Assignment, Part II - Due Friday

You are to create a protest song of your own. This song may be in conversation with another song from the era, but it must address some aspect of social change in the 1960s and 1970s. You are to write from the perspective of someone living at the time. (You may write a protest song of protestors.) We will spend Friday sharing these, so make sure you do a good job. This will count as a quiz grade. 10 Points Off For Each Day Late!

Length – 20 points – No haikus. You must have at least 4 sections to your song. (5 points each) These must each be 4 lines.

Originality – 20 points – You can use pre-existing music, but not pre-existing lyrics for your own composition. You can use a contemporary song if you like. The only situation that would require you to copy words is if you are quoting an actual document from the era. In that case, attach a copy to your final product.

Content – 40 points – You need to fully explore your topic from only one perspective. I should be able to infer your message and the intended audience by your lyric content. You must include information from class lectures, notes, or your textbook. Do Not Be Vague! You must have a title! No title = 5 points off!

Format – 20 points – Your final draft must be typed and must not exceed one page. Play with font size. Do not e-mail it to me, do not ask to print it when you come to class.

Work for Home

Below you will find a list of songs you may investigate in your own time, in order to gain a better understanding of the era. Be sure to think about the lyrics, to think about the message, and to consider what, if anything, these songs accomplished.

Songs of the Era

“Imagine”

“One Tin Soldier”

“Where Have All the Flowers Gone”

“Blowin’ in the Wind”

“Masters of War”

“The Times They Are A’ Changin’”

“Let’s Get Together”

“What’s Going On”

“We Shall Overcome”

“I’m Gonna Sit At The Welcome Table”

“Oxford Town”

“Revolution 1”

“Sweet Home Alabama”

“Southern Man”

“Abraham, Martin, and John”

“Eve of Destruction”

“Give Peace A Chance”

“Run Through The Jungle”

“Signs”

“Alabama”

Other Protest Songs that Might Help

“Pride (In the Name of Love)”

“Fight the Power”

“American Idiot”

“Born in the USA”

“Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World”