The song “Ohio”, by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, is about the Kent State Shooting in 1970 the led to 4 deaths and 7 injuries. There was a huge protest in on the Kent State campus in Kent, Ohio. The protest was against the Vietnam War that got out of hand. The mayor had to send the Ohio National Guard to stop the violent protest, or one could call riot. It was so bad that some of the guards feared for their lives and opened fire. This lead to the tragic death of the 4 young adults. The song itself puts a magnifying glass on the tragedy. 2 of the deaths that occurred actually were protesters that didn't attend the school.
The song “Fortunate Son” by CCR, is about how John Fogerty(lead singer) was drafted at age 20 to fight in the Vietnam War and his anger he had going to war. He did not support the war and he felt that because he was not rich or raised from a high-class family, that he was one of the unfortunate ones who had to serve in the war. I felt that his hatred towards the war was very passionate.
The song “All Along the Watchtower” written by Bob Dylan but made arguably made popular by Jimi Hendrix, is a less straight forward approach at a protest for the Vietnam War. The song is actually inspired by a Bible passage about the city of Babylon and how the city had watchtowers to protect from the enemies. The song was released during the Vietnam War era and can easily be connected. Both songs discuss the brutality of war and watchtowers which were an iconic structure in the Vietnam War.
The importance of these songs being made was the effect it had on people. It encouraged people to publicly protest against the war. It also put more pressure on the U.S. Government and President to get the troops out of the war. It really did have a huge impact on public interpretation of the war. It helps us understand today how many people had negative thoughts and feelings against the war.Students running from National Guard during
Kent State Massacre
Image- https://allthatsinteresting.com/kent-state-massacre
Best source- http://thrasherswheat.org/fot/ohio.htm
I think the songs truly represent the situation and the condition of that time, that it feels like we are imagining all that happened by listening to the songs.
ReplyDeleteI love the song Fourtunate Son adn I actually had no idea that that was what the song was about. These songs definitely helped show the horrors of the war that were happening here in our country. How strong were these songs though? Did they actually make an impact on anyone?
ReplyDeleteI think it was an interesting was to use songs as a way of protest, but the idea was great. Who doesn’t like to listen to music? Also the songs put in emotion that may not be represented by other forms of protest.
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