Say You Want A Revolution
I know, somewhere in my fog I think I might have used that title before but it fits today’s column. Forgive me if this is a partial repeat but as the World continues to deal with upheaval, unrest and disasters I think it’s always good to put the needle down on some vinyl and disappear for a while.
Unfortunately, that is not what this is about. Today I am going to bring up a popular subject and that is revolution and protests.
Growing up with two older siblings that were firmly planted in the 60’s and 70’s protect culture, I got a sense of the turmoil that was going on during that time and learned to appreciate at an early age, the wisdom of some of those songwriters that were actively fighting for civil rights, against the war, against the nation-state. These “hippies” at times were considered Public Enemy number one but at 13 or 14, I could care less. They made great music that had a message and those messages stuck with me long after I grew up.
You would never know it now but I was a budding hippie until I had a run in with my father who demanded that I “CUT MY HAIR"!” Revolution and protest only went so far in my house.
One point that I continually bring up in these Friday morning Substacks is that the music, be it rock, pop, Rap or Hip Hop all pretty much sucks and in 30 years, no one will recall one classic song from the last 25 years or so. I will back that statement up God willing in 30 years, mark my words. If ever there were a time for artists to conjure up some magic and create a song that can carry the voices of whats going on, it is now. Yet, talented artists (that select few) are more interested in followers and influencing people and collecting the Benjamins rather than take the time and create music that people can rally around.
Where are the Marvin Gayes and the Temptations? Where are the Crosby, Stills and Nashs’ of the World? This generation either doesn’t have the talent or the empathy to write a legitimate protest song. Artists today have definitely struggled and risen from the most impoverished places yet they can’t seem to write definitely lyrics that don’t end in some misogynistic ramble that are so demeaning, most listeners my never get the actual point.
Whew! OK, I am done with that.
Over the years when great music was actually made a major component of that music was protest. Civil rights and the War in Vietnam were the central themes but Woman’s rights also played a large role in the music of that era. The following list is nowhere near all inclusive but I think it will give a nice mix of styles and influences. It is a reminder of what is capable and yet what is lost.
Again, these songs are in no particular order and if you want to add any song, feel free to email me.
“Wooden Ships” is a song written by David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Paul Katner and has been recorded by Crosby,Stills, and Nash along with Jefferson Airplane and either version is excellent. It is a simple story about two people meeting after a nuclear war and just trying to survive and create a new population after. Written during the Vietnam War but never directly protesting the war, it was a favorite at every concert both bands gave during that time.
Barry McGuire’s “Eve of Destruction” was a very similar record with the intent very clear. If we don’t figure this mess out, we are all doomed. Surprisingly, this song is pertinent today, yet you rarely hear it. Wonder why?
“Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young is the purest example of protest you may ever find. No allegorical references here. Neil Young wrote the song and it describes the shooting of four students at Kent State University in Ohio. The blood was clearly on Richard Nixon’s hands and their is no mistaking Young’s message. A little tidbit. I was a Nixon fan up until this moment and if memory serves me correctly, my father was a huge Nixon backer up until this moment. His whole allegorical towards the war and Nixon changed, so this song has particular significance to me.
Even though he never became as popular as he should have, Richie Havens was the ultimate singer songwriter. He gave his heart and soul into every song and if you ever want a true example of that, listen to “Handsome Johnny”. Another great protest song against the war. The lyrics are as intense as you will ever find and I am sure every family of every soldier that fought in Vietnam feels a stab of pain listening to it. That is how powerful this song is. Another little tidbit. Richie Havens was the first concert I ever went at the Long Island Arena, I had floor seat and by the time I left the concert I felt I had frostbite because they put the floor directly over the ice that the Long Island Ducks played on.
there are several artists that it becomes impossible to pick just one song and even though I am going to, listen to their catalog and decide for yourselves.
James Brown is one of those artists. Hard to choose because he was the hardest working man in show business and he worked equally hard at civil rights through his songs and his deeds. I will say that “Say it Loud;I’m Black and I am Proud” would have to stand out. Another song of spirit and pride during a period where every ounce of spirit and pride was needed. He was the right man for the right time and he wrote dozens of great protest songs so dig a little deeper.
Same with Marvin Gaye. Wrote and performed dozens of great songs about love, peace, the blessings of this planet and the plight of the inner city. If I had to pick though, I would say “Inner City Blues:Makes me Want to Holler” would be it. Just listen and then read the lyrics and you will see why he is on this list. Plus, he had a beautiful voice and was cut down in the prime of his life by his own father. There is a great Netflix story in here somewhere.
The Temptations did what few other groups did at that time, black or white, wrote songs of pop, of pain and of prejudice. They could do it all and I don’t care if they actually lived it, I believed it. For example “Runaway Child” is a nine minute story of a runaway kid in the ghetto. It is not a story of racism or poverty, directly. It is just a story too often told in the poorest parts of the inner city. It is one of the finest songs and rarely gets played on radio or satellite music.
I put “Alice’s Restaurant” in here by Arlo Guthrie just because. It is an all time classic that in a silly way brings to light the stupidity of the draft and our involvement in Vietnam. How about that, a song that makes it’s point very clearly but yet keeps you listening because the narration is so good. It is a rare piece of music that belongs on this list and anyone who disagrees can go spend a night with Officer Obie.
To rap it up quickly. I will just add:
“Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. “The Revolution will Be Televised” by Gil Scot Heron. “Draft Resistor/Monster” by Steppenwolf. “Fight the Power” by The Isley Brothers. “War” by Edwin Starr.