Protest Music Assignment

Bob Dylan - Blowin' in the Wind

The social ill and problem in this song is conflict and war. War damages our society and other countries societys as a whole. This song is most likley reffering to the Cold War, which was taking place during the time that this song was written.

The song writers thoughts on the issue is that (obviously) he is against it. A lot of people protested the Cold War. It was the age where hippies and protesting things were becoming quite popular. I think the song was effective in its message. Because a lot of people know this song, and almost everybodys knows the famous opening lines "How many roads must a man walk down, before you call him a man?". And I'm sure it was quite popular at the time. So I think that the effectivness of the song went through. The song itself is asking a bunch of unanswerable questions, but then will throw out questions with obvious answers about war. Such as "how many times must the cannon balls flyBefore they're forever banned?".

This song could still be used as a contemporary connection to todays society, because it does not really specify what war it is talking about. And since war is still around and quite abundant today, this songs message can still be used. There is a war going on right now in fact, probably not as big as the cold war, but any war is a terrible thing.

To be fully honest, I picked this song because it was the first song that came up when i typed in "Protest songs" on google. But I have heard it before and it is a good song. My thoughts on this song and its message is that its a classic, and people will remeber it for a long time to come.

What is my opinion about artists using their music to comment on social problems? Personally, I dont mind that much if its once in a while, and it can actually turn out quite good if the songwriter and singer are good. And plus it is more likley to get the message out there if your a really famous musician. But it kind of bugs me when not even that good musicians make entire careers out of having protest songs and such. Usually those bands/singers are not that good anyways.


Lyrics:


How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
How many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.