Music & War

[TampaFla]

Today I traded my Jeep for a Toyota (2x towing). I could not immediately transfer the XM (talk radio) so listened to the local station which was doing a 60s show. It struck me that today, no anti-war or pro-war song could make the "top 40" as both did in the 60s. And, my thought was that neither "sells." Today's youth are sheltered from the war for the most part. An anti- or pro-war song today has no chance of making the top 40, only a chance on country radio or alternative rock. Those stations have their followers, but fewer of them.
I doubt there is anyone over 50 (even under 50) who never heard "we got to get out of this place" (Rolling Stones) as it was used in the context of Vietnam...can't think of anything comparable in Iraq.

[jams]

A Toyota! Couldn't resist.

You are right about the music.

[TampaFla]

Yeah, have always bought Fords, mostly 4X4s (rangers and F150s), but the Toyota is one tough truck, while I'm still waiting for Ford to pay me for the last factory defect (EFI module) that left me several times by the side of the road.

[TampaFla]

First trip to the dealer to get the XM radio out of the car wound up with those red/blue flashing lights in the rear view (took the Cobra). Turned out he only wanted to see the car, but afterwards it would not start. The lead wire to the solonoid was too hot to touch. After letting everything cool (and turning off the "key" between the battery & solonoid) it did start, no problem....anybody else ever have that problem????

[Jamo]

Could very well be that the younger generation is a bit more conservative and not so willing to accept the bull**** from the media. Whenever I see anti-war pickets on street corners here in Fresno, it is a bunch of old phuking hippies.

Having taught college for the past decade, I see folks ready to get off their asses and go to work. They don't ***** and whine. They aren't impressed with bull****.

We have a volunteer military...and the younger generation signs up knowing full well where they might be going.

I also enjoy much of the music from the younger generation, some of which is a bit critical of our generation. Listen to some Linkin Park and you'll realize they are more mature than we were (at least compared to the stuff I heard at the CSN&Y concert I attended a few months ago).

Thank god for these kids.

[Scott S]

Where is Country Joe when we need him?

There has been some great pro USA/Troops music from the country bunch but the rappers are still lookin for Ho's.

I saw Country Joe once while I was stationed Germany in "77" during the weird time (Carter years).

1-2-3-4
We don't want your ****in war
A-B-C-D
Get someone else, hey, don't get me
Left, Right, Left, Right
You know the whole damn thing puts me uptight

I done my duty and I fought my fight
And I thought I knew I was goin right
But thats all over, I'm free at last
An' if they want anymore, they can kiss my ass

Scott S

[TampaFla]

I'd almost agree with Jamo, but just seems to me that even if the younger generation were more conservative, the war would show up in their music...certainly did in the 60s. It looks like the absense of the topic in music, one way or the other (pro or con) really means something else...particularly when you consider some people are on their 5th tours because there's no one to releave them.

[Jamo]

...and knowing that, they still sign up in a volunteer military.

The younger generation has a sense of duty. They saw something we never did...our own country attacked.

I don't know what you're looking at in terms of anti or pro war music that you/we would normally enjoy at our average age around here. Having had three daughters (18, 21 and 26), I've listened to alot of their music (varying tastes between them) and there are some songs of protest, but it is spread out among many large issues. Certainly the war, but also global warming, anti-bias everything, the war in the hoods, poverty, Aids, etc. Country Western is bigger today than in our younger years and has more crossovers into popular radio music, at least to younger people...and there have been a good number of patriotic songs, notwithstanding the Chicks and a few others. Much of it is centered where it ought to be...in support of those who serve...rather than the politics of the thing. Listen to Trace Adkins' Arlington sometime.

Interesting topic, btw.

[TampaFla]

Thanks Jamo, just struck me....the difference between 60s music (much of which was about the war) and today's (little of which is). I'll look up Arlington...sure spent a lot of time in that place (everyone should....forget the other Monuments.... except the Wall).

[Jamo]

Yup...spent the better part of a day there last year before going to anywhere else.

[TampaFla]

Think most of us feel that way Jamo..buried some friends (some recently, some years ago) there. Guess this started.... watching a show about WWII music (they could dance by comparison...just my opinion) and thought that we have no popular music to compare with it today.

[BeanCounter]

Tampa,

Arlington is indeed a place to be visited often. I've been there twice again in the last couple of years. First for Colonel Hackworth's funeral and secondly for my wife's Uncle Raymond, a DSC winner when he was 17 years old. I like to go to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier also and watch the dedication of the guards as they walk their post. Haven't made it to the Wall yet and doubt that I ever will but Arlington will always be on my list when I go to DC.

[Sizzler]

The reason you find less protest music is because "the man" has taken over the music business. Witness the slamming/silencing/trashing of the Dixie Chicks by the Corporate radio stations and ditto Corporate media types.

Protest Music Video

[Jamo]

As usual, you're full of sh!t, but this is the Lounge.

[TampaFla]

Have to disagree Sizzler, the "man" can never take over the music business. My opinion, the "war" is not in the music, simply because the "war" is not part of the culture of those buying the music. But, should it become part of the culture....pro 0r con......you would notice that the 60s are the same as the 20s.

[BeanCounter]

To some people there's always a great conspiracy on something and it's generally headed up by "the man"



Last I heard it was the Chicks former fans that dumped on their parade.

[bomelia]

Hmmm. See my "oorah" post. Nothin original there...just some plain unvarnished truth.

If someone tells you the truth and you do not believe it...

Mike

[VRM]

Actually, there is quite a bit in music about the war. So there are the predictable ones like Neil Young, Springsteen, and the Stones who came out with songs recently.

Some others have had hits with songs about war like John Mayer, Eminem, James Blunt (who was a British officer before he wrote his anti-war song), Pearl Jam, and Green Day. Green Day wrote songs like 'American Idiot' about our preznit and his policies. They also wrote 'wake me when September ends', and it is one of the most requested videos on one of theose video channels.

Also, one of my wifes best friends is married to a reasonably well-known hip-hop artist. I'm not a fan of the music, but the lyrics indicate a lot of anger at the current situation regarding the war and our response to 9/11. There are also other lyrics regarding trying to live in the middle of street violence and drugs, dealing with teen pregnancy, and what rights gays should have.
And yes, I've been to hip-hop concerts.

Sizzler - Music, just like media, will sell what is popular. 'The Man' is the public who will buy what is being sold.

Steve

[cobra de capell]

No draft - so, no protest songs - only pro-military songs - as it should be.

[427sharpe]

As usual, you're full of sh!t, but this is the Lounge
Sometimes a nail just gets hit square on the head!