The Vietnam War and Rock and Roll Music Essay

John Fahey’s 1966 masters thesis A textual and musicological analysis of the repertoire of Charley Patton has the distinction of being the first book-length analysis of the music of Charley Patton. Fahey’s text focused primarily on assembling the historical facts of Patton’s life, while the analytical portions —written with the aid of Dr. David Morton, UCLA —-focused on systematizing Patton’s repertoire based on modal constructs present in his vocal melodies. Fahey’s biographical information focused on characterizing Patton as an entertainer; However, the analytical portion omits significant lines of inquiry that result in an incomplete picture of Patton’s repertoire. Fahey notes the utilitarian function of Patton’s music, but does not detail musical examples of this utility, especially in relation to the guitar. That is the purpose of this document.

One of the main songs that rallies against Vietnam is "A Hard Rain’s A Gonna Fall". The song is depicting the atmosphere and experiences of the soldier in Vietnam. "My blue-eyed son" symbolizes the United States soldiers in Vietnam. Each verse appears to contain a correlation to events over seas. "I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken," this coincides with the numerous failed peace talks. "I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children," most of the men fighting were very young, sixty-one percent of the men killed were twenty-one or younger (War Information and Statistics). "I heard the sound of thunder, it roared out a warnin’" This directly refers to the massive amount of bombs being dropped. During the entire war, the United States dropped nearly eight million tons of bombs, four times the tonnage dropped during all of World War II. It is the largest display of firepower in the history of warfare (War Information and Statistics). The section of the song in which he sings of "who did you meet" covers the different plights the troops faced. The young innocent children that died, the racial tension between soldiers, missing their families and being consumed by hatred because of the death they were surrounded by. "Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters" vividly images the use of Napalm, a petroleum based anti-personnel bomb that showers hundreds of explosive pellets upon impact

By the end of World War II, the British Invasion had begun and bands such as The Rolling Stones were becoming what is often seen as the epitome of rock and roll. Often thought of as the “bad boys” of the British Invasion, their songs contained more messages about sex, drugs and rock and roll instead of inequality, oppression and the troubles and issues people face. However, they carried on the legacy of the blues nonetheless. Their performances had the influence of the likes of Chuck Berry’s unabashed performances, with Mick Jagger’s attitude and posing. Although it is not like them to do political lyrics, a song that propels them to stardom is the song “Gimme Shelter” which is often interpreted to be a song about war. The repetition that is often found in blues is apparent in “Gimme Shelter as well with the lyrics “war, children, it’s just a shot away, it’s just a shot

The song, The Ballad of the Green Berets, is an anthemic tune that shed a positive light on the army division The Green Berets. One of the most iconic lines from this song includes, “Fighting soldiers from the sky. Fearless men who jump and die. Men who mean just what they say. The brave men of the Green Beret.

“How proud were we of our youth! Ten years ago the day we left for the front, I had never imagined this. All we had wanted was to be able to sing songs of glory. Who cared about mortars, machine guns, mines,

The songs remind the soldiers of home, they serve to remind the audience that this movie is also historical fiction. The songs’ recognizability lends the film another layer of authenticity, particularly to those who lived through the Vietnam War and, like the characters, can instantly relate to the sounds that characterized this era of American cultural history.

“In World War II, jazz absolutely was the music of freedom, and then in the Cold War, behind the Iron Curtain, same thing. It was all underground, but they needed the food of freedom that jazz offered” – Herbie Hancock. Looking back into history, you could create a timeline of events with nothing but song titles. Music was not just music, it was a lifestyle. Every major event in history has numerous songs that go along with or describe the happening. In the following paragraphs, I will describe aspects and elements of music for pre-World War II, World War II, and post-World War II. One could say that music was a form of expression throughout the times of war, and the songs produced during this time period clearly express all aspects of life before, during, and after the war.

"No one has done anything like ‘The Star Spangled Banner' - to me it's the greatest rock guitar solo of all time because his interpretation of ‘The Star Spangled Banner' was completely in line with what was happening to America. He brought it to life and I'd say the same thing about "Machine Gun". You feel the Vietnam War in it - you feel what it is to walk through a rice paddy and have friends shot down around you." (Reid, Vernon).

The article clarifies contents of 10 protest songs that are seen as the best anti-songs during the Vietnam War. First, Imagine (1971) was an emphasis for world peace to “imagine all people living life in peace” in a world without religion, countries, possessions, greed or hunger. Blowing in the Wind (1963) was as the United States escalated their involvement in the Vietnam War, and became famous protest songs. Born in the USA is about the troubles of a working class man forced into the Vietnam War. Give Peace a Chance was sung across the country during the Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam, which was one of many anti-war protests that swept the country during the 60s and 70s. War (What is It Good For?) says it loud and clear “war, yea,

The Portrayal of Opposition to the Vietnam War in Contemporary Literature, Film and Popular Song

Battle is an exhausting effort and uncertainty clutters the minds of soldiers in time of chaos. A soothing melody played over a battle fatigued camp offers comfort. Day is done, gone the sun, words taken from the lyrics to taps, reminds people they have survived the hardships of the day. All is well, safely rest; God is nigh, assures people that it is safe to rest and they can be comforted that their God is near. Taps, born on a battlefield in the darkest days of American history, has similar meaning to all that have endured combat and uncertainty of living to see the next day. Those that know the history of taps and its meaning also understand the importance.

“Nam veterans know this well now other wars bring memories back of their own eternal hell” from “war is never over”. The two of them both talk of how death will affect them later on in their lives and that death is something that will forever be in the back of our minds. ” Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay.” from “Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night”. “For many still are waiting, it was their farewell kiss” from “War is never over”.

Who would have ever predicted that the traditional 1915 song, America, I Love You (Reublin, 2004) would become Anti-Flag¡¦s North America Sucks by the year 1998? Or 1775¡¦s The King¡¦s Regulars (History in a Song, 2004) become 2001¡¦s Son of a Bush? Since the American Revolution of 1775 to present-day September 11th attacks and United States¡¦ war with Iraq, artists have taken advantage of their freedom of expression during conflicts by incorporating their own philosophies into their lyrics. When central themes of these wartime lyrics are analzed in chronological order, they show patterns that reflect the dichotomy of

The Vietnam War greatly changed America forever. It was the longest war fought in America’s history, lasting from 1955 to 1973. The Vietnam War tarnished America’s self image by becoming the first time in history the United States failed to accomplish its stated war aims, to preserve a separate, independent, noncommunist government. The war also had great effects on the American people. It was the first war ever broadcast on television. The public was able to see what happened on the battlefield. One of the chief effects of the war was the division it caused among the people. Not since the Civil War had America been so divided. This war would have lasting affects on the United States.

The people at home just can't understand how horrible life on the front actually is. The soldiers in war can't remember why they are fighting. Everyone, it seems, is lost: lost in a fog of war or in the useless ideals that sacrifice youth at the altar of national glory. Line 10, “through the misty panes and the thick green light” shows the surprise the soldiers had to encounter on the battlefield. This poem is so entrenched in the world of war that it’s language can’t help but re-create the language and the pace of the battlefield. Starting in the second stanza with a sharp cry, "Gas! Gas!" draws us smack-dab into the middle of the action (Owens Line 9). This show us the evil and horror with cause