Songs can unite, inspire and speak truth to power
Ironically the Emmy awards are scheduled tonight and it got me to thinking, we are way overdue for a 1960’s revival of the anti-war, anti-establishment, pro-civil rights songs. As a baby boomer, I’m finally gaining an appreciation for these songs with messages that were appropriate back then and today.
Lately, whenever I’m in a store or the gym or anywhere in public, I’ve been consumed by the sense that I can no longer distinguish friend from foe. At the risk of sounding paranoid, it’s really bothering me that I’m moving among persons with whom I have nothing in common (or very little in common) in terms of politics, philosophy, morality, the meaning of life and our place in the arc of history. Those around me may look like me and we commiserate on a superficial level about the weather, sports and traffic but any scratching beneath the surface reveals irreparable differences.
I have an urge to scratch this itch and discover what we have in common. I yearn to ask everyone I encounter, the following questions:
Did you vote in the last presidential election? If you didn’t, why did you abstain?
Who did you vote for and why did you vote the way you did? What in your life led you to the beliefs, attitudes and perspectives that created the person that you are today?
These are all very intrusive questions that I dare not ask total strangers. I’ve opted to skirt these topics even with family members, friends and acquaintances. I’m deeply curious but also terrified of falling down those rabbit holes. I’m not interested in conversing with those who refuse to listen or try to convince the inconvincible. I hunger for connecting with those who can be trusted. Those who are equally outraged and ready, willing and able to act upon that rage.
I’m intrigued with the idea of songs that could signal to others that “it’s ok to chat with me and join me in solidarity”. I compare this to the way slaves would sing songs in the fields signaling to each other plans to escape while the plantation owners thought they were just casually singing. If you consider all great movements in history (aka, the watershed events), it’s the songs, poems, literature and ideas that get things going, keep the momentum and have lasting impacts.
So what might be “the song” that would be a call to action and an invitation to resist dark, immoral, unjust, hateful, vengeful, criminal, unconstitutional forces?
The ideal song might be EDELWEISS sung in the musical The Sound of Music as the Trapp Family Singers artfully dodged being trapped by the Nazis at the end of the movie (spoiler alert). It’s a wonderful, melodious song and an inspirational movie which I highly recommend listening to and viewing. If you see the movie, you will quickly understand why it’s so appropriate for our current circumstances. The humming of this song might be the discrete catalyst for action that is so desperately needed.
The other song that I recommend is “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” because it’s recognizable and easy to hum. My great grandfather served in the Union army in the civil war so the song personally resonates with me. Additionally, I relate with the lyrics concerning the “grapes of wrath” since this connects with the Steinbeck novel “The Grapes of Wrath” with its’ theme of class warfare, economic hardship and the tragic side of the American Dream and capitalistic excesses.
The following is a playlist of songs that might offer solace and insight during these troubled times. Furthermore, they might galvanize positive, constructive action that might divert what, in my opinion, is a USA death spiral:
“Which Side Are You On”….a labor union anthem
Tracy Chapman songs that include “Talking bout a revolution”, “Change” and “Fast Car”
“Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
“Blowin in the wind” by Peter, Paul & Mary
“The times they are a changing”
“Get Together” by The Youngbloods
“The War Drags On” by Donovan
“What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye
“Revolution” by The Beatles (and of course….”Back in the USSR”)
“Allentown” by Billy Joel
“Rain On The Scarecrow, Blood On The Plow” by John Cougar Melloncamp
“For what it’s worth” by Buffalo Springfield
“Working Class Hero” by John Lennon (and of course…”Imagine”)
“I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty
And last but not least…my all-time favorite….
“The Eve Of Destruction” by Barry McGuire
So take a listen and focus on the lyrics and messages of all of the above.
All these songs were relevant back then and unfortunately, they’re applicable today. As the saying goes “history repeats itself” but also remember the expressions “what goes around, comes around” and “you will reap what you sow”
I’m always interested in additional song suggestions and reflections so don’t hesitate to reach out and check out my blogs on www.dunnwriteswell.com along with my novel Mall Child which includes some of the aforementioned themes
Dunn Writes Well 