How come there are no songs protesting war?

[ABlairican Pie]

It's kind of strange about the times we live in. Back in the 80's with the threat of nuclear war hanging over everyone's heads, there were tons of songs by metal and alternative bands protesting the military buildup. Now that we've had the mother of all terrorist attacks and everything happen in the past year and a half, it seems like social commentary and political dissent are a lost art in music.

Is it because people are afraid of being thought of as "unpatriotic"??:rolleyes:

[AKA]

I went to see Pearl Jam in Seattle on December 8, 2002. At the end of "Wishlist," Eddie added another verse:

I wish I was the president,
I wouldn't go to war.
I'd communicate and negotiate,
Isn't that what presidents are for?

[ABlairican Pie]

Originally posted by AKA
I went to see Pearl Jam in Seattle on December 8, 2002. At the end of "Wishlist," Eddie added another verse:

I wish I was the president,
I wouldn't go to war.
I'd communicate and negotiate,
Isn't that what presidents are for?

GOOD ONE!!!:clap:

Do you ever think Pres. Bush was just CHOMPING AT THE BIT to go to war?

[Brandon]

well, check out 99 Red Balloons. it's all about war...

[AKA]

Originally posted by Brandon
well, check out 99 Red Balloons. it's all about war...

And it's from the early '80s.

Neun und neunzig luft balloons...

[Tuscadero]

Originally posted by Brandon
well, check out 99 Red Balloons. it's all about war...

That's an incredible song.

[Janice]

Maybe it's time to dust off, War (what is it good for?).

[Rickenbacker]

Good question. I think part of it is b/c anti-war songs aren't fashionable anymore. In fact, I *think* songs w/ political or social messages in general aren't fashionable right now. Why? They don't sell. And it does kinda suck because songs of that nature were written to help raise the consciousness of the listener. That's what made the music of the 60s & early 70s so great.

Today, it's all about slapping together 5 pretty boys & call it a 'boy band' (although, thankfully, that seems to be past it's peak) or finding the next Britney clone/ "diva" or the next rapping Elvis. Acts like that have their purpose & place, but it so much more about just selling a cd through slick, expensive videos now. It's *way* more about appearance & I think the viewer's imaginations are being robbed because a video is just some director's vision of what a song means. (& MTV is to blame)

So why no anti-war songs? They're just not 'financially prudent'.

[SBTB Geek]

There is no official war yet.

[Janice]

Originally posted by SBTB Geek
There is no official war yet.
My money's on Springsteen or Bono.

[~*Hannah_Lee*~]

Let me quote Kurt Cobain to answer this one...

"there's no rebellion in rock 'n' roll anymore........"

[Rickenbacker]

I don't think bands *have* to wait until wars been officially declared to sing out against it. Haven't we learned a thing from Vietnam?

[Mossopp]

I imagine it's different in America because, as one person previously said, noone wants to be seen as "unpatriotic" (although,what exactly is "unpatriotic" about being able to think for yourself is beyond me).
In Britain, crap boyband Blue are orgainising an anti-war single and so far many British pop artists have expressed an interest in being involved in the project. Melanie C. (ex-Spice Girl) and current UK R&B flavour-of-the-month Ms. Dynamite are rumoured to be colaborating on the single.
I dunno if the proceeds are going to charity or not. And if it's Blue who are initiating the whole thing then the song will no doubt be complete bollocks but at least their hearts are in the right place.

XYN BONHE!!

[Penny Lane]

Originally posted by Janice
Maybe it's time to dust off, War (what is it good for?).


Absolutely nothing!:rock:

[Janice]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/02/11/entertainment/main540255.shtml

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1469995/02142003/madonna.jhtml

[Janice]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2788263.stm

[Fleet]

Originally posted by AKA
I wish I was the president,
I wouldn't go to war.
I'd communicate and negotiate,
Isn't that what presidents are for?

Yeah, "communicate and negotiate" with a mass-murdering dictator? Dream on!!! You can't negotiate with a slimeball.

[Fleet]

Originally posted by Penny Lane
Absolutely nothing!:rock:

Well, France is probably glad they got their country back, oh, about 60 years ago. I would also guess that Belgium, Poland, The Philippines, and other countries were very glad they were liberated, again, about 60 years ago.

We all know HOW they were liberated, don't we?

Pick one: How were these countries liberated...

1. War
2. Pacifism
3. Let the U.N. take care of it :lol:

(The answer is #1.)

[GoldenGuy]

Fleetwood Mac has an anti- war song out now, Peacekeeper

We make all our sons the same
Every one will suffer the fire we've made
They all explode just the same
And there's no going back on the plans we've made

(CHOURUS)
Peacekeeper tak your time
wait for the dark of night
soon all the suns will rise up

Peacekeeper don't hold back
don't be afraid to fight
love is the sweet suprise

and their's more.

[ABlairican Pie]

Originally posted by Brandon
well, check out 99 Red Balloons. it's all about war...

I mean for TODAY'S music. I do like that song--but it HAS TO be sung in the original German.:D

[Penny Lane]

Originally posted by Fleet


Well, France is probably glad they got their country back, oh, about 60 years ago. I would also guess that Belgium, Poland, The Philippines, and other countries were very glad they were liberated, again, about 60 years ago.

We all know HOW they were liberated, don't we?

Pick one: How were these countries liberated...

1. War
2. Pacifism
3. Let the U.N. take care of it :lol:

(The answer is #1.)

I guess my response "Absolutely nothing " went right over your head! Those words are the next part of the song "War" by Edwin Starr that Janice quoted! Get a grip!:lol: The subject of this thread IS "Protest Songs" Right?

[peter may]

george michael has an anti war song out at the moment

[Jem]

There ARE songs out there protesting war. Hasn't anyone heard of Love Makes The World Go Round by Madonna?

[SBTB Geek]

Originally posted by Jem
There ARE songs out there protesting war. Hasn't anyone heard of Love Makes The World Go Round by Madonna?

I was about to post that right now, "American Life" has a bunch on anti-war lyrics.

[Fleet]

Originally posted by Penny Lane
I guess my response "Absolutely nothing " went right over your head! Those words are the next part of the song "War" by Edwin Starr that Janice quoted! Get a grip!:lol: The subject of this thread IS "Protest Songs" Right?

I posted that "just in case." ;)

[Penny Lane]

Originally posted by Fleet


I posted that "just in case." ;)
:lol: Oh, ok!:wave:

[Kitt]

:cool: Madonna :cool:

[°Bubbly Blonde°]

Originally posted by Kitt
:cool: Madonna :cool: lol...have u seen the american life lyrics?

[Kitt]

Originally posted by BubbleLuvGrl026
lol...have u seen the american life lyrics? No but I read those two sites that Janice posted about Madonna and her video/song. Are the lyrics on any site that you know of?

[°Bubbly Blonde°]

yeah I posted them....I'll post them again. here they are:

Do I have to change my name ? Will it get me far ?
Should I lose some weight ? Am I gonna be a star ?

I tried to be a boy, I tried to be a girl
I tried to be a mess, I tried to be the best
I guess I did it wrong, That's why I wrote this song
This type of modern life - Is it for me ?
This type of modern life - Is it for free ?

I went into a bar looking for sympathy
A little company - I tried to find a friend
Its more easily said it's always been the same
This type of modern life - Is not for me ?
This type of modern life - Is not for free ?

American life
I live the american dream
You are the best thing I've seen,
You are not just a dream

I tried to stay ahead, I tried to stay on top
I tried to play the part, but somehow I forgot
Just what I did it for and why I wanted more
This type of modern life - Is it for me ?
This type of modern life - Is it for free ?

Do I have to change my name ? will it get me far ?
Should I lose some weight ? Am I gonna be a star ?

American life
I live the american dream
You are the best thing I've seen,
You are not just a dream

I tried to be a boy, I tried to be a girl
I tried to be a mess, I tried to be the best
I tried to find a friend, I tried to stay ahead
I tried to stay on top......

Fuck it...
Yeah, Fuck it

I'm drinking a Soy latte
I get a double shote
It goes right through my body
And you know I'm satisfied,

I drive my mini cooper
And I'm feeling super-dooper
Yo they tell I'm a trooper
And you know I'm satisfied
I do yoga and pilates
And the room is full of hotties
So I'm checking out the bodies
And you know I'm satisfied
I'm digging on the isotopes
This metaphysic's shit is dope
And if all this can give me hope
You know I'm satisfied
I got a lawyer and a manager
An agent and a chef
Three nannies, an assistant
And a driver and a jet
A trainer and a butler
And a bodyguard or five
A gardener and a stylist
Do you think I'm satisfied

I'd like to express my extreme point of view
I'm not christian and I'm not a jew
I'm just living out the american dream
And I just realised that nothing
Is what it seems
Do I have to change my name
Am I gonna be a star
Do I have to change my name
Am I gonna be a star?
Do I have to change my name

Fuck it...


i got this from http://www.paradiseonline.net/cgi-bin/queendom/ikonboard.cgi a really good madonna message board site......the ppl said its more about how the new american dream is not for her and the song isnt LITERALLY talking about war, but the video will be.

[°Bubbly Blonde°]

April 22nd Taping of the MTV special: Four songs live and Q & A with audience in N.Y. [US tv]

April 22nd Airing of the Today Show with Matt Lauer : Madonna interview + Live performance [US tv]

April 24th Recording & airing of the Late Show with David Letterman - interview + performance. [US tv]

April 25th or April 23rd Madonna on Regis & Kelly [US tv]

May 1st Recording of Top Of The Pops: Madonna performs two songs live! [UK tv]

April / May Various performances and interviews around Europe for the American Life promo tour.



Source: Madonna's Ashram / MadonnaInternet

[Kitt]

Thanks for posting the lyrics and the site address. That last thing you told me, I read in those sites that Janice posted. I liked what Madonna had to say on those sites so I look forward to reading more about it.