Almanac Music: Anti-War Songs to Disrupt the Madness
I’ve been going to my local recreation centre in Ballarat recently in a vain attempt to rid myself of the mid-life tyre that has accumulated around my waist.
Looking up from the machines in the gym you can’t help but notice the TVs which all play ABC News 24 on constant rotation.
I love the ABC but the non-stop vision of children and parents in Gaza either dead or screaming in terror is just making me sadder and angrier when I think of the insanity of it all.
Other than donating to UNICEF, there’s nothing we in our comfortable existences can do to help these poor people. The anger towards the war mongers making the decisions is all encompassing and begs the question as to how to switch off from the horror we see every day on TV.
As I was working out on the elliptical, ski machine thing, I started singing anti-war songs quietly to myself. Strangely enough it seemed to help. These are the songs I dug up from the recesses of what’s left of my brain.
1. Generals and Majors – XTC (1980). A highly underrated post punk band. Brilliant musicians and intelligent writers.
2. In a World Gone Mad – The Beastie Boys (2003). Released around the invasion of Iraq and focuses on the lies surrounding that farce.
3. Masters of War – Bob Dylan (1963). Released two days after I was born and still as relevant today. Still the greatest anti-war song ever written.
4. Put Down That Weapon – Midnight Oil (1987). Despite Midnight Oil’s pleas in this songs, sadly nothing has changed. Perhaps US Forces could be a alternative release of energy.
5. Let’s Impeach the President – Neil Young (2006). Another song aimed straight at George Bush Jnr and his faceless war mongers at the time of the Iraq war, but the lyrics are pertinent to any timeline in history.
6. Killing in the Name Of – Rage Against the Machine (1992). Not exactly an attack on a specific war, this powerful, repetitive rocker from a band with a serious conscious is an all-round assault on racism and authoritarianism.
7. Dear God – XTC (1988). A letter to the big one upstairs asking for an explanation as to what the hell is going on?
When you see footage of Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson visiting Israel, wandering around like a couple of Wombles on a paid tour a couple of weeks ago, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the world has definitely gone mad.
The atrocities of Gaza have just added to the madness of Ukraine so before I go mad, I’m finding music and books a healthy distraction and only hope that the conflicts end sooner rather than later and that the cruel, greedy, spineless men behind the scenes are held accountable.
You can read more stories by Ian Wilson Here.
To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au home page click HERE
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE
About Ian Wilson
Former army aircraft mechanic, sales manager, VFA footballer and coach. Now mental health worker and blogger. Lifelong St Kilda FC tragic and father to 2 x girls.
- Web |
- More Posts
A couple contributions to get the ball rolling:
Eric Bogle – ‘And the band played Waltzing Matilda’
Mark Seymour – ‘What’s a few men?’
Bookends to Dylan’s ‘Masters Of War’ (Apr 63), released May 63.:
John Brown (Feb 63) but not officially released until 2010
With God On Our Side (Aug 63), released Jan 64
It seems Bob moved away from anti-war songs shortly thereafter – perhaps the 3 songs on offer say all that needs to be said.
Topical subject, Ian.
Here are a few from the Celtic punk / Irish canon:
Billy’s Bones (Pogues),
The Recruiting Sergeant (Pogues),
Eve of Destruction (Barry McGuire, but covered by The Pogues);
Zombie (The Cranberries);
Sunday Bloody Sunday (U2);
Paddy’s Lament (trad/Sinead O’Connor does a great version);
Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya* (trad/Dropkick Murphys);
and of course Fortunate Son (Creedence, but Dropkick Murphys do a wonderful cover of this).
* see also Mrs McGrath (Bruce Springsteen does a great version of this on his Live In Dublin album).
Somber and timely reflection Ian W
Ian H, Bogle’s song as covered by The Pogues is in my top 5 faves by them. Shane’s singing lifts what is already a damn fine song.
Karl, Asked to by my teachers, I recited MoW at our school’s Anzac Day ceremony in 79, a time when that day wasn’t as jingoistic as it is these days.
Smokie, covered by The Pogues and Dave Warner!
And here are a few more:
War, what is it good for, absolutely nothing! – Edwin Starr
Tramp the Dirt Down – Elvis Costello
Born in the USA – Springsteen
War Pigs – Black Sabbath
Orange Crush – REM
Great to see some XTC in there Ian
Military Madness – Graham Nash
I Was Only Nineteen – Redgum
Oliver’s Army – EC and the Attractions
Shipbuilding – Robert Wyatt / EC
Does Women In Uniform qualify?
Give Peace a Chance – Plastic Ono Band
Army Dreamers – Kate Bush
Galveston – Glenn Campbell
Fernando – ABBA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LSCoBk8hgU
Glen!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ScaGjwkg2Y
Glen!
Rick – nice memory shared – thanks.
Swish – ‘Military Madness’ takes me back. Thanks for the memory jogger.
For those old enough to remember Don McLean & his 1971 ‘American Pie’ album, there is a song called ‘The Grave’ – perhaps the most achingly poignant anti-war song that I’ve been able to recall.
The Unknown Soldier-The Doors. The accompanying film clip was graphic for the time with Morrison tied to a stake and executed.
Wait until the war is over
And we’re both a little older
The Unknown Soldier
Breakfast where the news is read
Television children fed
Unborn living, living, dead
Bullet strikes the helmet’s head
Spot on Richard.
Please scroll up the comments where you’ll see a posting of the film clip.
Enjoy.
Glen!
I started to write a post on Sunday night but I got interrupted. Many good songs have been added since then. Here are some more
Folk
Buffy Sainte Marie – Universal Soldier (Donovan and Glen Campbell both had chart versions of this song, both were good but Buffy wrote the song and her version is much better)
Buffy Sainte Marie – Moratorium
Bob Dylan – With God on our Side
Phil Ochs – I Ain’t Marching Anymore. And lots of songs about the Vietnam War. the two best of which are probably White Boots Marching in a Yellow Land and The War is Over.
Tom Paxton also wrote and sang many songs about Vietnam including Lyndon Johnson told the Nation and Jimmy Newman.
Pete Seeger – Where have all the Flowers Gone and Waist Deep in the Big Muddy
Ewan McColl – Browned Off, also D-Day Dodgers both of which are songs about WWII. He also wrote a song called Ho Chih Minh, which was more pro Vietnam than anti War
Eric Bogle – No Man’s Land also recorded by others under the title Green Fields of France
Judy Small – Mothers, Daughters, Wives and Lest We which are both songs about women and wars.
I could also have included historical folk songs about C18th and C19th century wars but this post is already too long. I will post some anti-war Rock songs later.