
At such a moment in time, I thought it might be nice to compile a list of some of the best anti-war peace songs that have come out over the years. And just to spice the list up, here they are in video format!
If you would like to know the history of the peace symbol and where it came from, as it is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! Here is a link to find out more!
Here is a wikipedia list of anti-war groups from around the world.
What's your favorite anti-war song?
Here's the list!
War: War! What is it good for!
Crosby, Stills, Nash &Young: Ohio!
Bob Dylan: Blowin' in the wind! (First performance)
Joan Baez and Bob Dylan
Peter Paul and Mary...
November 4th 2008 version!
Joan Baez: Where have all the flowers gone?
Bob Dylan: The Times, They are a changin
Simon and Garfunkel: Last Night I had the Strangest Dream
Joan Baez: With God on Our Side
Country Joe McDonald: What are we fighting for?
Barry McGuire: Eve of Destruction
Buffalo Springfield: For What its Worth
John Lennon: Give Peace A Chance
Peter Paul and Mary: The Great Mandala
Phil Oches: I ain't marching anymore
Bob Dylan: A Hard Rain is Gonna Fall
Pink Floyd: Is there anybody out there?
Ermeson, Lake and Palmer: Lucky Man
Randy Newman: Political
Science
Dead Kennedies: Stars and Stripes of Corruption
Dixie
Chicks: Travelin' Soldier
John Mellankamp: To Washington
Buffy Saint Marie: Universal Soldier
The Doors: The Unknown Soldier
Simon and Garfunkel: The Sounds of Silence
Way Cool REM: End of the World as we know it
The Beatles: All You Need is Love
Sister Rosetta Tharpe: Aint gonna study war no more!
Crosby Stills & Nash: Teach Your Children
Stevie Wonder & Pavarotti: Peace Just wanted to be Free
Emily Howard: No Blood for Oil
Talking Heads: Life During Wartime
Enjoy!
That ought to keep you busy for a while.
And here's another 300 or so...
You won't find videos for many of these, but that first link goes to downloadable versions.
Songs often arouse emotions, and emotions often move people to take action, for better or worse. Thanks for the list!
The peace song I recall most fondly is on your list: John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance." I think when Lennon heard a huge crowd of antiwar demontrators singing it in the United States in opposition to the Vietnam war, he supposedly considered it a highlight of his life. Presumably, he didn't try to charge them royalties! By the way, do you happen to know what the copyright policy is on videos on YouTube and various other sites? Personally, I typically avoid viewing them due to uncertainty on whether viewing them is a violation.
Energynet,
Due to YouTube and other technological advances, methods of transmitting music (and videos) to consumers are certainly advancing. We are currently in a transition period where the legal ramifications are being sorted out. In the meantime I personally try to err on the side of caution.
I think that "Alice's Restaurant" deserves a mention on that list................ even if it may be a little oblique.
Especially when he goes to the draft board. Me too.
" "
Awesome post. Awesome list.
The picture...what is the story behind it?
There is also more modern music that promotes peace or is at least anti-war. I love 60's and 70's music but there could be a few more modern day artist don't you think? Great list though!!!
Sarah, the problem is there are very few from the last decade. And the ones there are, you probably have never heard.
Some artists mention peace or anti-war sentiments in a song...such as John Mayer, Waiting for the World to Change, but the song itself is not about only about war or peace. Same with Dixie Chicks, Melissa Etheridge, etc.
Interestingly, I found this article from 2 years ago that talks about current anti-war songs, but again, usually the song only contains a reference/line...or, the artists are obscure...
Awesome. I only watched Simon & Garfunkel's strangest dream and then John Denvers version of it Which I vote better. and Buffy St. Marie's Universal soldier It is going to take me weeks to go through all this. How did you do it? I can only say thanks, so far I am into a lot of memories and a few tears.
I will do that, I love gospel music. I need to find a volunteer on the vine that will walk me through how to post links from my column. There are a ton of songs that I'd like to post but I am lost on how to get from point a to b and back to a again ??? an email aside would help.
That has to be a very valuable 4 hours of effort by you, friend. Thank you. I'll pick these off and listen over the weekend.
That Peace Network you linked to is a great resource.
I'd seen several hysterical claims that the peace symbol was satanic.
I have always interpreted the hysteria as a product of the McCarthy era, when the symbol was linked with communism. The marketing hype that was run in that era was astronomical. I think its effects can still be sensed in some pockets of the US.
'alice's restaurant', arlo guthrie...just in time for thanksgiving...
luv,
ron
This one caught my feelings for years I hardly can escape the words in my ears when listening to war news
James Blunt - No Bravery Lyrics
outstanding.
He has been here.
It is a very emotive song for sure.
Hmm... no Anti-Flag, just old school Hippie bands. Shame there isn't any bands of today on that list.
http://plyrics.com/lyrics/antiflag/youvegottodieforthegovernment.html
Well, I stand corrected, I just spotted DK.
Most of them aren't "hippie" bands but fall into "Folk-Rock" or "Singer/Songwriter" with a few "hip" exceptions. :)
'happy christmas/war is over'...john lennon
this song is all but impossible to sing along with, without breaking down in tears. i have never made it all the way through without fighting to sing while crying my ass off. my love to you john, wherever you are...thats right brother, you never left...
luv,
ron
That song tears me up too, ron.
Super list, energynet. Some of these songs are new to me so I'm checking them out. I knew "Peace Train" had to be included -- glad to see that on in particular. I think I'd add "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye:
"Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today - Ya
Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on
In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on
Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby"
energynet...you are on a roll! :)
There is anti-war material from all over the world on youtube
Here's a few more from just one David Rovics. Hard hitting, and the last one is not for faint hearts. But they pack a powerful punch for anti-war.
Operation First Casualty: Memorial Day
I was actually trying to find just the track by David titled 'Occupation' that was used at the end of a 6-part documentary called The Iron Wall - what this link is to. The track starts at just before 6:00.
Yes, Jenin is particularly good.
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