War Songs: The Pop Protest Movement During Vietnam and Iraq Elizabeth Chapman
Pop music is defined as music having “a large volume of sales.” (defined by Bindas and Houston)
Protest Songs Analyzed from the Vietnam Era Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen For What It’s Worth by Buffalo Springfield Give Peace a Chance by John Lennon Lyndon Johnson Told the Nation by Tom Paxton Masters of War by Bob Dylan Peace Train by Cat Stevens War by Edwin Starr
Protest Songs Analyzed from the Second Gulf War B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad) by Outkast Freedom Time by Lauryn Hill In a World Gone Mad by the Beastie Boys Life During Wartime by Green Day Mosh by Eminem Son of a Bush by Public Enemy Where is the Love? by the Black Eyed Peas
Categorization of Pop Protest Music Songs of Anger and Sarcasm Songs of Peace Songs of Acceptance
Songs of Anger and Sarcasm Characterized by aggressive attacks on the war Hold the leader of the war accountable
Songs of Peace Opposed to violence in general Optimistic about the future Appeal to the individual
Songs of Acceptance Pessimistic about the individual’s ability to make a difference Accept war as a fact of life
Pop Protest Music: is it all about the Benjamins?
American Institute of Public Opinion, cited by Bindas and Houston
American Institute of Public Opinion, cited by Bindas and Houston
Why isn’t protest music today as popular? Scope of the war Popularity of the war
Gallup Poll
Is it still about the money? Songs can speak to war without becoming controversial Controversial songs can be released as MP3s
Conclusions Contemporary pop protest music has its roots in the traditions set down by pop protestors in the Vietnam era Pop music (and pop culture in general) balances both ideological and financial considerations