Counterculture
Background Counterculture: rebel culture that identified problems in mainstream society and choose to live alternatively Main philosophies Flower Power: peace, love, and happiness If it feels good, do it 1960s-1970s “Hippy culture”
Dislike Vietnam War They start anti-war movement Government Dislike war/violence in general so also anti-Cold War and nuclear arms race Government Called it “the establishment”, “Big Brother”, or “The Man” Middle class morals Reject Christian religion, turn to Eastern spirituality
Like Experimentation with: Drugs: goal was to alter their state of consciousness in order to make self discoveries Music: greatest contribution of counterculture; rock, folk, blues 400,000 attend Woodstock Music Festival in Aug of 1969 Sex: did not think sex should be taboo Clothing: bright colors (tie-dye shirts), sandals/no shoes, jewelry for men and women Social Norms: Often vegetarians and environmental activists
Counterculture Today? Woodstock Coachella
Counterculture in Music
Sam Cooke “A Change Is Gonna Come” (1964) Inspired by and continuing theme in King’s “I Have a Dream Speech” Key Lyric: “I was born by the river in a little tent/Ohh and just like the river I’ve been running ever since” Message: soon things will change
The Who, “My Generation” (1965) Young people vs. previous generations Key Lyric: “I hope I die before I get old, this is my generation” Reference to Free Speech Movement activist Jack Weinberg’s quote “don’t trust anyone over thirty”
James Brown “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud”) (1968) Statement of black pride In response to Black Power Movement Key Lyric: “ooh wee/you’re killing me” Reference to historical attacks on black men and women Especially relevant because same year as King and Robert Kennedy assassination
Credence Clearwater Revival “Fortunate Son” (1969) Because of the draft (first time instituted since WWII), only soldiers with special connections (the “fortunate sons”) can get out of it Written after author drafted "The thoughts behind this song - it was a lot of anger. So it was the Vietnam War going on... Now I was drafted and they're making me fight, and no one has actually defined why. So this was all boiling inside of me and I sat down on the edge of my bed and out came "It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no senator's son!" You know, it took about 20 minutes to write the song."
War “Why Can’t We Be Friends” (1975) Message: peace, love, and happiness Key Lyric: “the color of your skin don’t matter to me/as long as we can live in harmony” 2nd Message: anti-government Key Lyric: “I’d kind of like to be the President/So I can show you how your money’s spent”