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General_Magician Special user United States 707 Posts |
Yes, that would have been popular with me too. the fortunate son song. This song was meant to talk about those who were rich and able to get out of serving because of their privileged status correct?
"Never fear shadows. They simply mean there is a light shining somewhere nearby." -unknown
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
That's part of it. But it was also a distinctly anti-war song. You know that Creedence was one of the first bands to play at the Woodstock Festival, right? (For all them hippies.) Here are the full lyrics: (I've bolded the anti-war part.)
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General_Magician Special user United States 707 Posts |
That video clip is from a TV series Tour of Duty that my mother used to watch when I was a kid. I re-watched some of the seasons not too long ago and season 3 was actually pretty accurate in some aspects to the effects of war on people and some of the darker aspects of war. That was a good TV series. I really enjoyed re-watching that TV series now that I am older and can better understand and appreciate it.
"Never fear shadows. They simply mean there is a light shining somewhere nearby." -unknown
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magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
Hey, if Merle doesn't like hippies, why's he hang out with this one?
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
The entire Vietnam War was pretty well summarized in the songs of the time. In 1965, the classic "Eve of Destruction" became an early anthem of the anti-war movement. And when things finally came to the breaking point in 1970 when National Guard soldiers fired on American students at Kent State in Ohio, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young recorded the horror in "Ohio."
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stoneunhinged Inner circle 3067 Posts |
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On May 24, 2014, General_Magician wrote: Do you have to agree with the sentiment of a particular song in order to enjoy it? |
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magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
Hey, Bob, I see you beat me to it back there? Things are movin' fast on this one! I didn't catch it in time.
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
You got that right, Laurie- Willie "Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die" Nelson.
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magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
Maybe Merle's protesting ignorance in that song, huh?
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
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On May 24, 2014, stoneunhinged wrote: That's a good point that is often missed. But all of these songs have one thing in common - they are a reflection of the times we lived in back then. |
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General_Magician Special user United States 707 Posts |
A few of my friends who also like this song, I don't think they realize that "Okie From Muskogee" is actually making fun of conservative Middle America rather than expressing it's thoughts and attitudes. We would listen to this song without realizing how the author intended it. But really, I don't see anything wrong with the conservative attitude that looks good upon hard work, service and good honest values which does not look favorable upon drug use. What's wrong with that mentality? Drugs are very harmful to your health and can cause addiction as well as a host of other problems. I am under the impression that hippies saw nothing wrong with doing drugs and that's just not a reflection of my values. And the whole "free love" thing back then, that's a great way to catch various diseases. What's wrong with the conservative attitude of making a commitment and sticking by your commitments? Conservative values have served me very well. I am not an ultra-conservative mind you, but I do have conservative values which have served me well. I am not a bible thumper, but honest hard work, sticking by your commitments, following the law and staying drug free, why, that's something that went against hippie values back then and these same values have done me a lot of good. Now why would anybody make fun of such values that actually keep you out of trouble and gives something of value to society (such as hard work for example) as well as improving yourself? I have some liberal values as well too now, like keeping an open mind about things, but I also believe in following the rules and that you have to have a set of rules and values and principles to guide you through life.
"Never fear shadows. They simply mean there is a light shining somewhere nearby." -unknown
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Respectfully, you weren't there, General, and maybe you shouldn't be so quick to judge those who were.
I neglected to post this one in my earlier post, but Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" in 1965 effectively captured the feeling of many of us then. And it is just as relevant today: A bit more depth, I think, than either Okie From Muscokee OR Country Joe and the Fish. |
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General_Magician Special user United States 707 Posts |
You're right, I wasn't there. But I also think things are much different today than they were back then.
"Never fear shadows. They simply mean there is a light shining somewhere nearby." -unknown
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magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
I think, General, what Merle's protesting is the stereotype "hippies" were painted with, perhaps. And the setting up of one class above another based on superficial impressions and lack of real understanding. Fearful judging and condemnation of another because s/he's "different". And that can be directed both ways. So the song ended up with a rather universal fan base. Far as I can see, Merle Haggard doesn't appear to really HATE anyone. So unite instead of divide, which may very well have been the writers' intention in the first place, see?
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
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On May 24, 2014, General_Magician wrote: Not as much as you seem to think, and I was there then just as I'm here now. Listen to the words of the Barry McGuire song I just posted. The more things change, the more they stay the same. The song is as meaningful and relevant today as it was in 1965, when I'd just entered my junior year in high school. |
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General_Magician Special user United States 707 Posts |
Don't try to convert me to being a hippie now Bob LOL! I'm just a regular joe with some conservative values (but I can also be liberal on some other issues). If I ever get a chance to perform at the Magic Castle and told the person who does the hiring and firing I'm an "Okie From Muskogee" and was truly proud to be one, I wonder if that would be the last time I perform at the Castle? Well, time for me to split off to a gig.
"Never fear shadows. They simply mean there is a light shining somewhere nearby." -unknown
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magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
I don't think they'd care where you're from as long as you're a good performer with a solid commercial act suitable for a nightclub/theater environment. (But you've got to remember that the Castle is in Hollywood, that notorious bastion of liberalism.)
But here's a song I really think you'll like even though it basically describes many in my generation: |
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magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
"The first, 'Okie,' was actually a humorous commentary on the generation gap...
"Hippies glowered at Haggard when he played the road, often insisting he sit and talk with them about Vietnam and poverty and the like (which, to their amazement, he did). On the road the crowds sat restlessly until he ended the show with the two new songs, suddenly flashing tiny American flags and stomping wildly when he broke into 'Okie' and 'Fightin' Side.' Witnessing Haggard doing those songs in, say, the Deep South or the Midwest, would, a liberal friend advised me, 'scare the living hell out of you.'... "Haggard then had become caught in the crossfire between the hardhats and the hippies, both of whom seemed intent on remaking him into their image, and he didn't like it one bit." Stars of Country Music p. 331 |
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Haggard has always refused to be pigeonholed and says pretty much what he feels. And I don't think he cares if people like it or not.
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