Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Xeluan · 02-07-2003, 06:01 AM

With war looming I've been tracking down anti-war protest songs (as I'm very much against this war) as I like my music to suit how I am feeling.

I know there are plenty of songs on this subject but here are the ones that appeal to me:

Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter

Not anti-war per se but the song is full of ominous foreboding. The refrain "War, children, is just a shot way" echoes where the world is.

Jimi Hendrix - Machine Gun

The best live song by Hendrix ever. Written about Vietnam war. Hendrix, through his guitar, paints a sound collage of war. Amazing and very emotional.

CCR - Fortunate Son

The lyrics speak for themselves:
"Some folks inherit star spangled eyes,
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord,
And when you ask them, "How much should we give?"
Ooh, they only answer More! more! more! yoh,

It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no military son, son.
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, one."

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On?

Again, listen to the lyrics. Nuff said. Very soulful, plaintive and beautiful.

Xeluan

Secular Pinoy · 02-07-2003, 06:17 AM

Imagine by John Lennon comes to mind, and does Louis Armstrong's What a wonderful world count?

Xeluan · 02-07-2003, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Secular Pinoy
Imagine by John Lennon comes to mind, and does Louis Armstrong's What a wonderful world count?

I'd say "Wonderful World" does. It is all subjective and if that song reflects how you feel about things (even if being ironic) then who am I to argue.

Xeluan

Xeluan · 02-07-2003, 06:38 AM

Not wanting to monopilize the thread (Oh ok I really want to), Edwin Starr's classic "War" is worth mentioning (even though it is become a cliche of sorts via Seinfeld).

Xeluan

Catseye · 02-07-2003, 07:17 AM

"I Ain't Marching Any More", originally by Phil Ochs. The version I have is a recent cover, which replaces "Now the labor leader's screamin' when they close the missile plants / United Fruit screams at the Cuban shore," with "Now the Senators are screamin' when they close the air force base / Fidel's still kickin' on the Cuban shore," but I think the rest of the song's dated pretty well.

"Call it peace or call it treason,
Call it love or call it reason,
But I ain't marching any more..."

Also, Eric Bogle's "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" and "No Man's Land". Both about the First World War, and both still very moving today.

dangin · 02-07-2003, 07:56 AM

All I have to say is

You can get anything you want, at Alice's restaurant.

DarkBronzePlant · 02-07-2003, 08:38 AM

There's "Bombs Away", a satirical song by the Police. It was on Zenyatta Mondata, which was from the early 80s, but oddly it does mention "Afghanistan Hills" in the lyrics...

Deacon · 02-07-2003, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Xeluan

CCR - Fortunate Son

The lyrics speak for themselves:
"Some folks inherit star spangled eyes,
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord,
And when you ask them, "How much should we give?"
Ooh, they only answer More! more! more! yoh,

It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no military son, son.
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, one."

Lee Jeans has as commercial (maybe it's Wrangler) that plays the chorus to this song.

When are the suits going to realize it's NOT A PATRIOTIC SONG!

Right after 9/11 radio stations here in KC blasted the airwaves with Fortunate Son, Ain't That America by Mellencamp, and Born In The USA by Springsteen. UGH! These are great anthems, but it's just obvious the brainless DJ's tune out the lyrics and hum the chorus!!! :banghead:

Makes about as much sense as hiring a Canadian to sing God Bless America at the Super Bowl...

Stephen Maturin · 02-07-2003, 08:47 AM

Country Joe McDonald's I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die Rag is a classic.

Deacon · 02-07-2003, 09:05 AM

Not really about a traditional war, but U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday" is pretty damn powerful.

02-07-2003, 06:01 AM	#1
Xeluan Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Some Pub In East Gosford, Australia Posts: 831	Anti-War Songs With war looming I've been tracking down anti-war protest songs (as I'm very much against this war) as I like my music to suit how I am feeling. I know there are plenty of songs on this subject but here are the ones that appeal to me: Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter Not anti-war per se but the song is full of ominous foreboding. The refrain "War, children, is just a shot way" echoes where the world is. Jimi Hendrix - Machine Gun The best live song by Hendrix ever. Written about Vietnam war. Hendrix, through his guitar, paints a sound collage of war. Amazing and very emotional. CCR - Fortunate Son The lyrics speak for themselves: "Some folks inherit star spangled eyes, Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord, And when you ask them, "How much should we give?" Ooh, they only answer More! more! more! yoh, It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no military son, son. It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, one." Marvin Gaye - What's Going On? Again, listen to the lyrics. Nuff said. Very soulful, plaintive and beautiful. Xeluan

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02-07-2003, 06:17 AM	#2
Secular Pinoy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Quezon City, Philippines Posts: 1,994	Imagine by John Lennon comes to mind, and does Louis Armstrong's What a wonderful world count?

02-07-2003, 06:38 AM	#4
Xeluan Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Some Pub In East Gosford, Australia Posts: 831	Not wanting to monopilize the thread (Oh ok I really want to), Edwin Starr's classic "War" is worth mentioning (even though it is become a cliche of sorts via Seinfeld). Xeluan

02-07-2003, 07:17 AM	#5
Catseye Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: UK Posts: 145	"I Ain't Marching Any More", originally by Phil Ochs. The version I have is a recent cover, which replaces "Now the labor leader's screamin' when they close the missile plants / United Fruit screams at the Cuban shore," with "Now the Senators are screamin' when they close the air force base / Fidel's still kickin' on the Cuban shore," but I think the rest of the song's dated pretty well. "Call it peace or call it treason, Call it love or call it reason, But I ain't marching any more..." Also, Eric Bogle's "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" and "No Man's Land". Both about the First World War, and both still very moving today.

02-07-2003, 07:56 AM	#6
dangin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: The Middle, Kansas Posts: 2,637	All I have to say is You can get anything you want, at Alice's restaurant.

02-07-2003, 08:38 AM	#7
DarkBronzePlant Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: San Francisco, CA USA Posts: 3,568	There's "Bombs Away", a satirical song by the Police. It was on Zenyatta Mondata, which was from the early 80s, but oddly it does mention "Afghanistan Hills" in the lyrics...

02-07-2003, 08:47 AM	#9
Stephen Maturin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Broomfield, Colorado, USA Posts: 1,295	Country Joe McDonald's I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die Rag is a classic.

02-07-2003, 09:05 AM	#10
Deacon Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 620	Not really about a traditional war, but U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday" is pretty damn powerful.

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