Does music reflect or lead the mood of the country? Either way, the tone of popular music regarding the war in Iraq has changed very markedly, according to some fascinating research performed by ace radio monitor Sean Ross:
- Shortly after the war in Iraq started, and during the height of the Dixie Chicks’ problems at Country radio, I began making myself CD compilations of songs that were somehow war-related, many of which were only available as downloads. Sixteen months later, I’m up to five CDs, and have about half of the songs for the sixth already set aside. All in all, there are about 100 songs and every week I’m hearing about others that would qualify.
You don’t need to look at Iraq-related music to see how the national mood has changed, particularly in light of Michael Moore’s transformation from post-Oscar pariah to $80-million dollar man. But there’s a clear change nonetheless, particularly when you consider the songs that made it to the radio then and now—a faster transition, as it happens, than during the Vietnam era where it took a year to get from “The Ballad of the Green Berets” to “For What It’s Worth,” and another three before “War/what is it good for?” and “four dead in Ohio.”
Consider the mood in March 2003. Even those Country PDs who wanted to stand by the Dixie Chicks were finding themselves shouted down not only by request lines callers who may or may not have been regular listeners, but each time music research came back. At a time when few other artists were willing to defend even the Chicks’ right to unpopular speech, it was hard to imagine a time when the tenor of the discussion in popular music could include the line, “Why did Bush knock down them towers?” heard in Jadakiss’ current R&B/Hip-hop hit, “Why?” Country and R&B’s constituencies had very different takes on the war, of course, but that line goes way beyond being ashamed to share a home state with the president, considered treasonous enough at the time.
Article comments
1 - Joe
Very interesting, I think you're right about the backlash. Sooner or later, the special hermetically sealed container labeled "In case of national emergency or war, break glass", and Lee Greenwood will, once again, hit the airwaves.
2 - Eric Olsen
Another related element, I am absolutely sick of hearing "God Bless America" at public events - that is an example of war without end, and almost 3 years after 9/11 should be put to rest. The spontaneous singing in proud but shaky voices by the group of Congressmen in response to 9/11 was inspiring and touching, but trying to feed off of that initial genuine and meaningful moment is reprehensible. Plus, I don't much like the song.
3 - bhw
Especially since it replaced "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" at MLB games! Oy!
4 - Eric Olsen
in Cleveland they do both, which really changes the mood from a rousing communal celebration of America's nonpartisan pastime to a form of coercive religious patriotism
5 - Mike Kole
They do both in Cincinnati, too. I remember that in Philly, they only did 'God Bless America' at the beginning of Flyers games, and no Anthem. This was back in the mid-70s.
6 - Craig Lyndall
Not to get too far off the topic, but I am a little bitter. When I reviewed Thursday's album and made a statement about the "politics" of the band I was made aware by their clones, er, fans that "War All the Time" was just a metaphor used to describe personal relationships, etc. It really had nothing to do with war at all. Where is the attack of the clones on this post? Huh? Where are all you people who told me how stupid I was?
OK, I feel better now.
7 - Mark Edward Manning
Is it any wonder that "Jadakiss" looks, at first glance, very similar to "Jackass"?
8 - Alex
Bush knocked down the towers , in order to move into a country that had alot of financial potential. Chaney's company, and other big name companies set up shop, and the big boys on top make some $. Seriously , the towers were clearly imploded. Wake up. You guys are probably those Catholic types that are pro war, and pro life. hummmm. In fact, exploits of today's supporters bin Laden and his Taliban collaborators, and their holy war against the soviet union was issued by US President Ronald Reagan on March 8, 1985. Soviet Union, as well as Third World movements fighting US-backed colonialism.
Ok let me say this also, even if bush's decision to go into war , was a good one. the economy is suffering very bad. I suppose I could start naming some of the economic problems, but i dont want to.
9 - a very intelligent college student
Bush planned september the 11, to go over to Iraq and get that oil.Forget the weapons. Our army is over there for no reason. Let bush go over there and get killed, because this country was doing just fine without him. There were and there is proof to show that there were bombs in those buildings. So when the plains went into the towers bombs were set. I have never saw a building fall to the ground like the that. Now it should have fell to the left when hit on the right. Bush is a sorry excuse of a man and president. He will rot in hell.
10 - Dave Nalle
When I saw that name I knew I was in for a fine and tasty meal of tripe.
And BTW, an intelligent college student would be able to tell the difference between 'planes' and 'plains'.
Dave
11 - troll
(admission requirements have been liberalized in recent years)
12 - Guppusmaximus aka "I is a High School student"
Amen, Dave... Since when did they start teaching college kids about explosives?
13 - Dave Nalle
We learned about explosives in high school. I wrote a paper on how to make incendiary pipe bombs for history class. It's a pity the government schools have moved away from that element of the curriculum.
Dave
14 - Guppusmaximus
I guess I went to the wrong HS(F*CK)!!
15 - Martin Lav
2 years after this article was written....where are we now with the war protest songs? Dixie Chicks are back, bigger than ever. Neil Young put out an entire album "Living With War" and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young are on a Freedom of Speech Tour. Sadly the 1960's comes back 40 years later and still slower than should be expected, given the supposed lessons learned from then to now. While most people don't believe in the "conspiracy" theories, it's fairly obvious that even the hardest core right-wing nuts, think the Iraq invasion was a mistake, while still defending the President case to invade by saying that even Clinton believed there were WMD's. Nonetheless, we will have to stay the course, because just like in Vietnam, we can't turn our back on those we promised to help, even while we start to stand down and in effect prolong their eventual abandonment.
16 - Bliffle
My HS buddy L was brewing nitro in his parents basement at night for various experiments we were performing. Recently retired as a distinguished chemistry prof at a prestigious eastern university.
17 - pleasexcusetheinterruption12
#11..I hope you dont mean they have become less stringent.
Although I would ask which college the guy is going to. Fall to the left when hit on the right? Lol, What physcis class is this guy in? The mass of that plane was statistically insignificant compared to the building.
18 - Clavos
He isn't too good with verb tenses, either.
19 - Lady Dragonfyre
I never had any doubt that we would see robust anti-war music because musicians were speaking out against the war from the beginning, and as Sean states, it was inevitable that the mood would turn against the war as casualties mounted.
Indeed. Major historical events have always influenced artistic works of the day, in diverse ways.
Obviously, primary sources are vital in examining our history, but the arts chronicle the past in a more insightful way than any textbook or record.
#11
Sadly, we've watered down admission requirements, academic standards, and curricula to accommodate people not of University-level caliber.
In our "feel good" society, We perpetuate the myth that ANYONE can be a college graduate, and EVERYONE deserves to go to college. This just isn't true. Unfortunately, school systems condition kids, making them view college as the only path to success.
In the past, earning a Bachelor's degree was a prestigious accomplishment, and a virtual guarantee of professional employment thereafter. Now, regardless of the hype the media and other venues promote, acquiring a Bachelor's degree in this day and age means virtually nothing.
20 - Martin Lav
Hit on the right fall to the left might be a metaphor to illustrate the ebb and flow of the political leanings based on world events.
Or maybe he's just a logger.
21 - Clavos
In our "feel good" society, We perpetuate the myth that ANYONE can be a college graduate, and EVERYONE deserves to go to college. This just isn't true. Unfortunately, school systems condition kids, making them view college as the only path to success.
Dead on, Lady D.