Why, In This Day And Age Aern't Their More Protest Songs Being Made?

Question

Think about this...The 1960's were a time of terrible upheaval in the United Staes, just like today. And there was a very unpopular war going on, again just like today
But in the 60's great protest and anti -war songs abounded
Today you can hear the crickets chirp
I think it's because today generation of Youth is so blinded by IPods, Cellphone and PS3's that they can't see the realities around them so therefore ain't disaffected like the 60's generation was. But that's just My theory
How about You, why do You think that no great protest or anti-war songs are being written now?

And no this is NOT a Youth Bashing question
I have Tons of great intelligent Young friends here in R&P
I just genuinely can't figure out why they're ain't more protest songs.
Their should be tons out there.

I thought about that too Jake
the record companies are Big Business and big business is tied, part and parcel to the people who are making the World FUBARtherefore record companies may consider protest songs biting the hands that feed

Excellent Analysis Fonzie
You are pretty much right
I think that The Dixie Chjicks were victims of bad timing more than anything else
If they would have waited and released the same material now..they may have found a more receptive audience.

I own living with War Steve but yea exactly..He's 62

Babble On all You want 80's Man
I hat Political Correctness with a passion that burns

Did You see My first Edit Sour Girl?
I never said ALL of them...just many.

Sookie...could I agree with You more?
No way...great minds do think alike

Answer 1

If you are looking for some good anti-war and anti-administration songs, pick up Magic, the latest album from Bruce Springsteen.

Newer and less established artists don't speak their minds because they are too afraid of radio backlash like what happened to the Dixie Chicks. It's a shame, but it's true.

Answer 2

Because no one has the cojones to do a song like Country Joe and the Fish did with "What are we Fighting For".
Maybe someone should call him up (if he's alive). Warren Zevon is gone, so he won't be able to do it.

Answer 3

there are some protest songs out there...but for the most part, these kids could care less.

Answer 4

Darth, the one HUGE difference from the 60's and now is that during the 60's there was a mandatory military service (the draft)! I remember watching the draft lottery every year where they pulled out all the birth dates for the draft order. Lots of young people were FORCED into the military whether thay wanted to go or not. Many young people that didn't believe in war and were "drafted" went to Canada to evade the draft. That's why there were so many protest songs during the 60's! When you are forced to do something against your will you protest more! I think if there was a draft going on today more protest songs would be playing and youth would be a lot more involved with politics and the war.

Answer 5

hello Darth:
I think because record companies don't want to lose $$ and preffer to stay in "comfy" zone, "politically "correct zone, where is everyone and everything looks so similar, like pre-fabricated, pre manufactured packages, with beautifu wrapping, but inside is EMPTY. Todays Generation is totally SOUL EMPTY. that's most frightening.

Answer 6

I think part of the problem is that the younger musicians just don't know *how* to write a proper protest song.
There music now is all 'in your face', 'say exactly what you think', where as some of the greatest protest songs, like Buffalo Springfield's 'For What It's Worth', have a great subtlety to them.

I think there have been a few done within the modern Folk genre, but they have very much passed under the radar.

The current war has cost *so many* British {and American} servicemen their lives, but despite rumblings in various places, no one is *really* making a fuss about it. A flood of good, popular protest songs, if they could be picked up on by the public, just might make the government sit up and pay attention.
Anyone fancy doing a cover of 'For What It's Worth'?


80's MAN :~
If you think it's bad in the US, come and have a look at what 'open borders' have done to us here in the UK. Local authorities waste millions of pounds every year translating signs into 15 different languages, English is now a *minority* language in many schools around London, people come over to sponge off our NHS and benefits, we are forced to build more houses where we don't have the room for them, and the country is falling apart.

Answer 7

Hey! to the youth out there, who may be reading these response: WAKE UP!! you are the future of this country, its not going to run it self.

Answer 8

HELLO FRIEND- hit it on the head.. bands and artist are to afraid anymore..to many politically correct people/groups out there that have nothing better to do than critcize others..dixie chicks got ruined and all they said was they are ashamed of our president bush...whats wrong with that...nowadays you cant even say merry christmas without someone bashing you. and in some schools you cant even sing the pledge of allegiance..something is wrong with our country and it needs fixed..we need some leaders that have a pair if ya know what i mean...why do WE have to learn other languages here in the U.S.A. . last time i checked it was english.. i dont think in the 60's if ya calleda bank or hardware store you didnt have to press 1 for english...just to many groups/orginizations trying to be to politacakly correct...


sorry to babble on and on but some things in this country #@ss me off!!!!!....things need to change or the younger generation is in BIG trouble........

Answer 9

The times are just different, man.

I mean, there are protest songs being written by rock musicians today, but from what I've seen, they're mostly by indie acts.

The 60s were Such a radically different decade. It was all about a need to bring about changes (in many areas) that previous decades had let fester & clogged up. The 60s were a flood gate to all that pent up supression.

In it's wake, there's been a sense of "Ok. We've done it...& we were wrong here, but right here, etc.."

We've settled into a sense of complacency & yeah, youth have way more distractions like the ones you mentioned.

Also, on a simpler note, protest songs *may* be seen as passe to some. (sadly) They see old footage of hippies & picket signs & it all seems dated to some & therefore something to be avoided. It's too controversial & it may kill sales....Look what happened to the Dixie Chicks. That to me, was proof of the changed atmosphere compared to the 60s.....a Hard act to follow.

Answer 10

Although there may not be as much as there used to, I still think there is a good amount still being made. But, they are just being written in a different way with more metaphors being used. They're not just coming out and saying it, because that may hurt their image and record sales.