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Other music forums => Various Artists, Lyrics, Discographies => Topic started by: DaveRam on August 21, 2009, 10:22:55 AM

Title: 60's Protest Songs
Post by: DaveRam on August 21, 2009, 10:22:55 AM
Just bought the newly remastered album - Streetnoise (1969) by Julie Driscoll/Brian Auger & The Trinity
Which is a stunning double album .
 This epic self composed song by Julie Driscoll " Czechoslovakia " about the Soviet invasion of that country in 1968 , really stands out for me.
It got me thinking about 60's protest songs and how that generation really had the balls to confront in music the world they lived in , be it songs about the Vietnam War or the oppression of a country and people as in this song .
What are your thoughts on 60's protest songs do you think they achieved anything or were they merely  products of there time from a disgruntled generation ?
I find this song very moving and can imagine had i been old enough at the time would have been motivated to protest .
Can you give other examples of 60's protest songs and your thoughts on them .

Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity - Czechoslovakia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-_S00jFhn0#normal)
Title: Re: 60's Protest Songs
Post by: Kevin on August 21, 2009, 10:37:54 AM
It's hard to think of any as blatant as this. The Monkees Last Train to Clarkesville is hailed as a protest song, but I wonder at their worth if no one actually realises it.
I think Dylan was the master with songs like The Times they are A'Changing. The Stones Street Fighting Man also hits the spot.
Good on The Beatles though. Paris and Prague in flames, riots in London and Chicago and they tell everyone to calm down and behave themselves. Not their greatest moment.
Title: Re: 60's Protest Songs
Post by: DaveRam on August 21, 2009, 11:52:34 AM
Barry McGuire: Eve Of Distruction (1965)
This one still packs a punch , great vocal from Barry .

Barry McGuire: Eve of Destruction (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8SfiCnwF28#normal)
Title: Re: 60's Protest Songs
Post by: DaveRam on August 21, 2009, 12:19:26 PM
Donovan singing Universal Soldier (1967) the song was written by Buffy Sainte Marie in (1964)

DONOVAN - The Universal Soldier (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC9pc4U40sI#normal)
Title: Re: 60's Protest Songs
Post by: Joost on August 21, 2009, 03:02:48 PM
What are your thoughts on 60's protest songs do you think they achieved anything or were they merely  products of there time from a disgruntled generation ?

Do protest songs actually have to acchieve anything? Not necessarily, I think. A love song isn't useless if it doesn't get you the girl you're singing about, right?
Title: Re: 60's Protest Songs
Post by: DaveRam on August 21, 2009, 06:57:50 PM
Do protest songs actually have to acchieve anything? Not necessarily, I think. A love song isn't useless if it doesn't get you the girl you're singing about, right?

I think a protest song and a love song are similar in there intent Joost they both have a goal be it getting a girl/boy or peace in the world .
But i would say the protest song is more cerebral and the love song is more loins ?
Not sure protest songs and there were quit a few in the 60's changed that much , but they did appear to be a clarion call for 60's youth and some of the intellectuals ?
Pre internet i think songs by Dylan and the like were maybe the best they could do to make their point , along with a march and demonstration .

 
Title: Re: 60's Protest Songs
Post by: JimmyMcCullochFan on August 22, 2009, 11:56:45 AM
In my 60's class I took in the spring we had to write a paper on protest songs. We also listened to some protest songs by artists such as Dylan, CCR etc

My two favorite protest songs are Something In The Air and Gimme Shelter.
Title: Re: 60's Protest Songs
Post by: Joost on August 24, 2009, 09:34:23 AM
I think a protest song and a love song are similar in there intent Joost they both have a goal be it getting a girl/boy or peace in the world .
But i would say the protest song is more cerebral and the love song is more loins ?

More than anything else, I think that most musicians just write about what's on their mind to get it off their chest.There are a lot of protest songs that are pretty emotional and not just cold statements. Anger and frustrations are emotions too.
Title: Re: 60's Protest Songs
Post by: DaveRam on August 24, 2009, 12:48:22 PM
^^^^Agree Joost lots of protest songs are full of emotion as are some love songs .
And i think your right about writing to get things off your chest , it most be a great feeling to be able to do that with a song and even better if others like it and relate to it  .
Title: Re: 60's Protest Songs
Post by: Hello Goodbye on August 25, 2009, 02:10:58 AM
In my 60's class I took in the spring we had to write a paper on protest songs.


Amazing!  They have 60s courses now!  It makes me feel like ancient history.

One song I liked to sing on marches way back then was Guantanamera......

Pete Seeger - Guantanamera (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5JLCAIJLJ8#normal)


Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crece la palma
Y antes de morirme quiero
Echar mis versos del alma
Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera

Mi verso es de un verde claro
Y de un carmín encendido
Mi verso es de un ciervo herido
Que busca en el monte amparo
Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera

Cultivo una rosa blanca
En julio como en enero
Para el amigo sincero
Que me da su mano franca
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera

Y para el cruel que me arranca
El corazon con que vivo
Cardo ni ortiga cultivo
Cultivo la rosa blanca
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera

Con los pobres de la tierra
Quiero yo mi suerte echar
El arroyo de la sierra
Me complace más que el mar
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera


A very patriotic Cuban song.  A song often sung by Cuban farmers during the harvest.  The lyrics are beautiful.  This is the final verse translated.....

With the poor people of the earth
I want to share my fate
The brook of the mountains
Gives me more pleasure than the sea



Title: Re: 60's Protest Songs
Post by: Mairi on August 25, 2009, 03:37:06 AM
JOAN BAEZ!!!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/hermionestarchild/celebs/ebdf.jpg)
Title: Re: 60's Protest Songs
Post by: Hello Goodbye on August 25, 2009, 03:55:58 AM
Feel Like I'm Fixing To Die Rag

Country Joe McDonald - FISH Cheer/Feel-Like-I'm-Fixing-To-Die-Rag (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwwEHJ0K_yw#ws-normal)

Country Joe And The Fish

Title: Re: 60's Protest Songs
Post by: Joost on August 25, 2009, 07:41:33 AM
A very patriotic Cuban song.  A song often sung by Cuban farmers during the harvest.  The lyrics are beautiful.  This is the final verse translated.....

If you would like to hear more patriotic Cuban music you could check out Carlos Puebla. I got a CD with his best known songs when I was in Cuba three years ago and even though I don't really dig the glorification of Che and Fidel in the lyrics, I have to say that it's got some pretty nice songs. Especially 'Hasta Siempre', an ode to Che written and recorded when he was still alive, is quite beautiful.
Title: Re: 60's Protest Songs
Post by: Hello Goodbye on August 25, 2009, 11:18:22 PM
Thank you, Joost.  I certainly will.

I share your sentiments.  Guantanamera was written well before that part of Cuba's history.  José Marti's verses are as relevant today as they were when he wrote them more than one hundred years ago.  And they transcend one's nationality.


Joseito Fernandez-Guantanamera (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYXLQT6Kdk8&feature=fvw#normal)
Title: Re: 60's Protest Songs
Post by: Georgies Girl on August 28, 2009, 02:13:31 AM
JOAN BAEZ!!!

([url]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/hermionestarchild/celebs/ebdf.jpg[/url])


SHE'S MY IDOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3
I love her version of "Where Have All The Flowers Gone". Is such a touching and true song.

I absolutely love protest songs. I think they're timeless, there are always issues to fix and I think they're useful. And also is like having a little piece of History in a few minutes of meaningful music.

I think that "People's Got To Be Free" by the Rascals is a very good one too. "Masters of War" by The Master Of Peace (Dylan ;)) is also awesome.
Title: Re: 60's Protest Songs
Post by: Mairi on August 28, 2009, 03:01:16 AM
I'm glad you love Joan too! For a while I was the only one on the forum.

I made a thread about protest songs a while back...

http://www.dmbeatles.com/forums/index.php?topic=3219.0 (http://www.dmbeatles.com/forums/index.php?topic=3219.0)
Title: Re: 60's Protest Songs
Post by: Hello Goodbye on August 15, 2012, 02:32:16 AM
Where Have All The Flowers Gone

Pete Seeger/ Where Have All The Flowers Gone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXqTf8DU6a0#)
Pete Seeger
Title: Re: 60's Protest Songs
Post by: Hello Goodbye on August 15, 2012, 02:35:51 AM
JOAN BAEZ!!!

([url]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/hermionestarchild/celebs/ebdf.jpg[/url])



Joan Baez - Where have all the flowers gone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsx5Z55DU78#)