When I was still young, I had finished 4 years in the USAF in 1971. I had new work in 1971; affording both very good pay and some extra time. I had a lot of audio equipment and access to a large collection of records; besides my own collection. Among other other music, I put together 2 reel to reel tapes, named; Love, Peace and War. The mix of songs fits the title.
Many here will have mixed emotions from similar songs of the period that remain fixed in the brain.
We are at war again.....
I offer one of those songs below to start the list. Sixty years later, many of the songs reflect the same broad meanings.
For What It's Worth, Buffalo Springfield, 1966/1967, with lyrics
Comments
I'll see you, and raise you one Fortunate Son. Of course, a cover.
Let us hope that The End is near for someone.
Live. This one hits hard right now.
How about the... "Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag." Country Joe & The Fish.
Nothing has changed.
In the southern hemisphere
And people are starving
That live right here
And they're tearing down walls
In the name of peace
And they're killing each other
In the middle east
But love and happiness
Have forgotten our names
And there's no value left
In love and happiness
They raise the price of oil
And they censor our mouths
If you are a young couple today
Forget buying a house
And we wage our wars
In the neighborhoods
We kill the young to feed the old
And men that ain't no good
Yeah, but love and happiness
Have forgotten our names
And there's no value left
In love and happiness
So if you sell arms
Or if you run dope
You got respect
And you got hope
But the rest of us die
On your battle fields
With wounds that fester and bleed
But never heal
Yeah love and happiness
Have forgotten our names
And there's no value left
In love and happiness
And love and happiness
Yeah love and happiness
Have forgotten our names
And there's no value left
In love and happiness
...I've also learned to like "War Pigs," too. Here's the iteration from Gov't Mule:
I like it. Thanks!
The Main Squeeze is essentially the ultimate cover band.
A.I.: "War Pigs" is an anti-war protest song by English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, serving as the opening track on their second studio album, Paranoid, released in 1970.
The song was inspired by the Vietnam War, which was ongoing at the time, and reflects the band's opposition to war, particularly the involvement of political leaders who initiate conflicts while avoiding the dangers themselves.
Woodstock was in '69, of course.
Remember? Arlo took the mike and informed everyone: "The NY State Thruway is CLOSED, man!"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Jam_at_Watkins_Glen
Chicago, Where Do We Go From Here, 1970, w/lyrics
Gimme Shelter, The Stones, 1969, w/lyrics
Neil Diamond wrote 4 songs for The Monkeys, including "I'm a Believer".
Lyrics
The
Easternworld, it is explodin'Violence flarin', bullets loadin'
You're old enough to kill but not for votin'
You don't believe in war, but what's that gun you're totin'?
And even the Jordan river has bodies floatin'
But you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
How you don't believe
We're on the eve of destruction
Don't you understand what I'm trying to say
Can't you feel the fears I'm feeling today?
If the button is pushed, there's no runnin' away
There'll be no one to save with the world in a grave
Take a look around you boy, it's bound to scare you, boy
And you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
How you don't believe
We're on the eve of destruction
Yeah, my blood's so mad, feels like coagulatin'
I'm sittin' here just contemplatin'
I can't twist the truth, it knows no regulation
Handful of senators don't pass legislation
And marches alone can't bring integration
When human respect is disintegratin'
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin'
And you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
How you don't believe
We're on the eve of destruction
And think of all the hate there is in Red China
Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama
Ah, you may leave here for four days in space
But when you return, it's the same old place
The poundin' of the drums, the pride and disgrace
You can bury your dead, but don't leave a trace
Hate your next door neighbor but don't forget to say grace
And you tell me
Over and over and over and over again, my friend
You don't believe we're on the eve of destruction
No no, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction
Exceptional lyrics.
Being from Nova Scotia, brings subtle meaning to her song "Snowbird".
Lady In Black
She came to me one morning, one lonely Sunday morning
Her long hair flowing in the mid-winter wind
I know not how she found me, for in darkness I was walking
And destruction lay around me, from a fight I could not win
[Chorus]
Ahh-ah-ahh-ah-ah-ahh-ah-ah-ahh
Ahh-ah-ah ahh-ah-ah ahh
[Verse 2]
She asked me name my foes then, I said the need within some men
To fight and kill their brothers, without thought of love or god
And I begged her give me horses, to trample down my enemies
So eager was my passion to devour this waste of life
[Chorus]
Ahh-ah-ahh-ah-ah-ahh-ah-ah-ahh
Ahh-ah-ah ahh-ah-ah ahh
[Verse 3]
But she would not think of battle, that, reduces men to animals
So easy to begin and yet impossible to end
For she the mother of all men had counselled me so wisely then
I feared to walk alone again and asked if she would stay
[Chorus]
Ahh-ah-ahh-ah-ah-ahh-ah-ah-ahh
Ahh-ah-ah ahh-ah-ah ahh
[Verse 4]
"Oh lady lend your hand," I cried, "oh let me rest here at your side"
"Have faith and trust in me," she said, and filled my heart with life
"There is no strength in numbers, have no such misconception
But when you need me, be assured I won't be far away"
[Chorus]
Ahh-ah-ahh-ah-ah-ahh-ah-ah-ahh
Ahh-ah-ah ahh-ah-ah ahh
[Verse 5]
Thus having spoke she turned away, and though I found no words to say
I stood and watched until I saw her black cloak disappear
My labour is no easier, but now I know I'm not alone
I'll find new heart each time I think upon that windy day
And if one day she comes to you, drink deeply from her words so wise
Take courage from her as your prize, and say hello for me