60s/70s Protest Songs Assignment



1960s/1970s Historical Songs Assignment

Due Date: TOMORROW (15 points)

Goals: Gather and organize information on music of the time period. Explicitly assess the piece and draw conclusions about how it relates to the time period.

For your Assigned Song:

1. Find a sound clip of the song online. Listen to it and save a copy of it. (Either email the URL link to your student email account, or save it on CD or flash drive.)

2. Research the background of the song online (e.g. who wrote the song / what the song was about / why it was written).

3. Find the lyrics and paste them onto a word document

4. Listen to the clip and read the lyrics

5. Below the printed lyrics, type a two paragraph summary & analysis:

• Discuss some background of the author and/or song. Tie the song in to historical events or trends.

• Interpret the meaning of the song and how it was used to convey a message. Give examples of specific lyrics and their meaning.

• Discuss your reaction to the song: your thoughts on the musical and lyrical presentation of the song, etc.

6. Optional +1: On the due date, be prepared to do a quick oral presentation of your analysis. Have a clip of the song ready to play, or if you so desire, to sing a few lines!

Note that some songs are explicitly protesting the Vietnam War while others are promoting general change and are more reflective of the late 1960s early 1970s idealism of the times. This is by no means a complete list of songs, but includes many of the most well-known. Please let me know if you would like to research a different song, or if you have a different song that I should add to the list.

Song Artist

Eve of Destruction Barry McGuire

I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin-To-Die-Rag Country Joe and the Fish

Fortunate Son Credence Clearwater Revival

Run Through the Jungle Credence Clearwater Revival

Where Have all the Flowers Gone Pete Seeger

Waist Deep in the Big Muddy Pete Seeger

If I Had a Hammer Peter, Paul, and Mary

Masters of War Bob Dylan

Subterranean Homesick Blues Bob Dylan

Blowin’ in the Wind Bob Dylan

The Times they Are A-Changing Bob Dylan

With God On Our Side Bob Dylan

It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) Bob Dylan

Give Peace a Chance John Lennon

Ohio Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young

7 O’ clock News/Silent Night Simon and Garfunkel

Scarborough Fair Simon and Garfunkel

For What its Worth Buffalo Springfield

Last Train to Clarksville The Monkees

War Edwin Starr

Handsome Johnny Richie Havens

Get together The Youngbloods

People Got to Be Free The Rascals

The Unknown Soldier The Doors

Signs Five Man electrical Band

Morning Dew The Grateful Dead

Turn, Turn, Turn The Byrds

Alice’s Restaurant* Arlo Guthrie

Volunteers Jefferson Airplane

What’s Going On Marvin Gaye

Reach Out in the Darkness Friend and Lover

San Francisco Scott McKenzie

Star Spangled Banner** Jimi Hendrix

You Haven’t Done Nothin’ Stevie Wonder

San Franciscan Nights The Animals

Revolution The Beatles

American Woman The Guess Who

Lay Down Melanie

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*-This is a 15 minute long song which consists mostly of spoken dialogue. If you have been assigned this song, see me for instructions on how to edit/cut down your assignment.

**- No lyrics. This Song requires interpretation of playing style. In his famous performance at Woodstock in 1969, what was he trying to convey and how did he do it all with his guitar?

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