How come there are no songs protesting war? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

ABlairican Pie · 03-05-2003, 10:53 PM

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"??

AKA · 03-05-2003, 11:42 PM

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 · 03-05-2003, 11:58 PM

Quote:

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!!!

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

Brandon · 03-06-2003, 12:06 AM

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

AKA · 03-06-2003, 12:24 AM

Quote:

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 · 03-06-2003, 12:44 AM

Quote:

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

That's an incredible song.

Janice · 03-06-2003, 01:46 AM

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

Rickenbacker · 03-06-2003, 08:02 AM

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 · 03-06-2003, 12:11 PM

There is no official war yet.

Janice · 03-06-2003, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SBTB Geek
There is no official war yet.

My money's on Springsteen or Bono.

~*Hannah_Lee*~ · 03-06-2003, 02:09 PM

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

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

Rickenbacker · 03-06-2003, 02:44 PM

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 · 03-06-2003, 07:31 PM

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 · 03-06-2003, 08:02 PM

Quote:

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

Absolutely nothing!

Janice · 03-06-2003, 08:21 PM

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/...in540255.shtml

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/146.../madonna.jhtml

03-05-2003, 10:53 PM	#1
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,619	How come there are no songs protesting war? 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"??
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

03-06-2003, 12:06 AM	#4
Brandon Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 03, 2003 Location: Hell Above The Soil Posts: 2,838	well, check out 99 Red Balloons. it's all about war...
	__________________ <center> <img src=http://www.tvlinksonline.com/boards/attachment.php?s=&postid=875292> Break back another heart attack!

03-06-2003, 02:09 PM	#11
~Hannah_Lee~ Let's dance in style Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 09, 2002 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,358	Let me quote Kurt Cobain to answer this one... "there's no rebellion in rock 'n' roll anymore........"
	__________________ Some are like water, some are like the heat Some are a melody and some are the beat. Sooner or later they all will be gone. Why don't they stay young? It's so hard to get old without a cause. I don't want to perish like a fleeing horse. Youth is like diamonds in the sun, And diamonds are forever. Forever young, I want to be forever young. Do you really want to live forever?

03-06-2003, 07:31 PM	#13
Mossopp asleep at the wheel Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 30, 2000 Location: Helensburgh, Scotland Posts: 3,726	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!!
	__________________ "Heavy metal has been my life since I was 10 years old. It's the only thing I know, it's the only thing I care about." Dimebag Darrell, 1966 - 2004

03-06-2003, 08:21 PM	#15
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Madonna... http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/...in540255.shtml http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/146.../madonna.jhtml

03-05-2003, 11:42 PM	#2
AKA Under old management. Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Location: Southern California Posts: 16,651	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?

03-06-2003, 01:46 AM	#7
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Maybe it's time to dust off, War (what is it good for?).

03-06-2003, 08:02 AM	#8
Rickenbacker Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 15, 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 507	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'.

03-06-2003, 12:11 PM	#9
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	There is no official war yet.

03-06-2003, 02:44 PM	#12
Rickenbacker Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 15, 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 507	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?