Music in the 1960s, 1970s, and even today
In the 1960s, 1970s, and even today, music took on a heavy political tone as it was used to protest a variety of issues. Below is a list of protest songs. Choose one of the songs below, and write a 4-5 page argumentative essay. Include a clear claim, and consider the following questions in your paper. Your claim should be argumentative in that it can be supported and argued (for the refutation). For example, if I chose Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” I could make the claim that, “While the song is seemingly simple, it’s rich in meaning.” Be sure to include an outline as well. Three outside sources are required for the assignment along with an annotated bibliography for the three sources you use. Research the lyrics as well as what was being protested and explain the following in your paper:
1)Identify the song, artist and year.
2) What is the song protesting?
3) Why would this song be protesting that particular thing at that particular time? (Be sure and reference the events and movements of the appropriate era and how the song references them)
4) Is the song effective in getting its message across?
Sample Solution
The 1960s saw significant changes in society, fashion, attitudes, and, most notably, music. Before 1963, the sound, style, and beliefs of the previous decade were still represented in the music of the sixties, and many of the hit records were by singers who had achieved widespread success in the 1950s, such as Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Celine Dion, and The Everly Brothers. A multitude of social forces transformed what popular music was in 1963 and the years that followed, resulting in the diversity that we see now in music. The killing of President John F. Kennedy, the rise of the Vietnam War, and the advancement of the Civil Rights Movement all had a significant impact on American culture, and music began to reflect this shift.
