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 ofthe 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.
  1. 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.

SongArtist

Eve of DestructionBarry McGuire

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

Fortunate SonCredence Clearwater Revival

Run Through the JungleCredence Clearwater Revival

Where Have all the Flowers GonePete Seeger

Waist Deep in the Big MuddyPete Seeger

If I Had a HammerPeter, Paul, and Mary

Masters of WarBob Dylan

Subterranean Homesick BluesBob Dylan

Blowin’ in the WindBob Dylan

The Times they Are A-ChangingBob Dylan

With God On Our SideBob Dylan

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

Give Peace a ChanceJohn Lennon

OhioCrosby, Stills, Nash, Young

7 O’ clock News/Silent Night Simon and Garfunkel

Scarborough FairSimon and Garfunkel

For What its WorthBuffaloSpringfield

Last Train to ClarksvilleThe Monkees

War Edwin Starr

Handsome JohnnyRichie Havens

Get togetherThe Youngbloods

People Got to Be FreeThe Rascals

The Unknown SoldierThe Doors

SignsFive Man electrical Band

Morning DewThe Grateful Dead

Turn, Turn, TurnThe Byrds

Alice’s Restaurant*Arlo Guthrie

VolunteersJefferson Airplane

What’s Going OnMarvin Gaye
Reach Out in the DarknessFriend and Lover

SanFranciscoScott McKenzie

Star Spangled Banner**Jimi Hendrix

You Haven’t Done Nothin’Stevie Wonder

San Franciscan NightsThe Animals

RevolutionThe Beatles

American WomanThe Guess Who

Lay DownMelanie

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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?