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This is a cross-university blog project between Clemson University and the University of South Carolina - Upstate for the Spring 2008 semester. In this forum, our collaborative efforts will discuss the arguments found in popular war-based music from the 1960s.
Contributors
- Joey Schumacher - Clemson University
- Erin McCoy - USC Upstate
- Chase Hart - Clemson University
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27 comments:
John Lennon – “Give Peace a Chance” (1969)
two, one two three four
Ev'rybody's talking about
Bagism, Shagism, Dragism, Madism, Ragism, Tagism
This-ism, that-ism
ism ism ism
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance
its goin' great
Everybody's talkin' bout'ministers,
sinisters, banisters and canisters,
bishops and fishops and rabbis and pop eyes,
and byebye, byebyes
all we are saying is give peace a chance,
all we are saying is give peace a chance,
let me tell you now
Ev'rybody's talking about
Revolution, evolution, masturbation,
flagellation, regulation, integrations,
meditations, United Nations,
Congratulations.
All we are saying [keep talking] is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance
Oh Let’s stick to it
Ev'rybody's talking about
John and Yoko, Timmy Leary, Rosemary, Tommy smothers, Bobby Dylan,
Tommy Cooper, Derek Tayor, Norman Mailer, Alan Ginsberg, Hare Krishna,
Hare Hare Krishna
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance
Hello, Everyone. Carl v. Kleist here.
This song reminds me of what I feel the 60's counter-culture and 'hippie' movements were about: A bunch of spoiled children when had never known the kind of adversity that their parents had to face growing up. A bunch of psychotic youngsters who were so disconnected from reality that the honestly believed that doing drugs and refusing to be productive members of society would actually change the world in a positive manner. A bunch of spoiled children who thought that they were the only people to ever consider the radical notion that it's possible for us to all just get along, except when we can't because some of us don't want to for many varied, complicated reasons. A bunch of spoiled children who felt that nothing in life was complicated, that it was all very simple -- simply a conspiracy set up by 'the man' to maintain the status quo. It makes me sick.
Ja Matta Ne, Minna-san!
Hey ya’ll!
When first looking at the title, “Give Peace a Chance” it kind of grabs you in a way that makes you want to listen to what this songwriter has to say. I mean who doesn’t want peace in the world these days? Although after listening to it and finding out what era this song came from, I realized that it is a typical “Peace, Love, and Happiness” sort of song from the 60s. I wouldn’t technically go as far as to say that they were a bunch of “psychotic youngsters” however, I would agree that they were a bunch of kids rebelling against their parents. I mean what kid hasn’t? Although, I honestly believe that John Lennon's message through this song was that he wanted peace and for people to actually try and get along instead of fighting. If you watch the music video for the song then that’s the sort of message he wants to get across, nothing to do with rebellion from parents, drugs or anything like that.
Amber G. (11)
Dear Everyone,
As much as I respect Lennon for his musical contributions, I can't say this is one of my favorite songs. Obviously, this song has an anti-war meaning. The title of the song, "Give Peace A Chance," not only gives Lennon's opinion of war, but also tries to convince his listeners to agree with him. I like how he brings up routine conversations that people are having into the song. It brings attention to how repetitive they are, and also gives a suggestion (peace) on how to fix the same old problems. I don't think the song has really anything to do with children rebelling against their parents. True, that generation was about experimentation and forming new ideas, but this song seems strictly anti-war. I also like how he brings up fellow musicians. It seems somewhat like "everyone is doing it" propaganda, which is a great way to get listeners to agree with his opinion.
Until next time,
Laura B. (60)
Well helloooo!
When first reading these lyrics I was a bit confused. But in my opinion, this song is about peace and everyone getting along. I don't see the whole "spoiled children" idea. We as humans have the ability the shape the world in which we live. It is the people that say peace is impossible that slow down its development. If people really wanted peace we would have it but thats the problem; people do not. I hope that one day people will realize that we are all humans and all live on the same world in which we all need to work together and get along as ONE. The world is filled with distractions to pull us away from this perfect state, and Lennon's lyrics make that clear: "Everybody's talkin' bout (this distraction, that distraction, this distraction and that distraction)! All we are saying is give peace a chance!"
Hey Yall its Ashley!
I go to Clemson and I am a political science major, I do not have much interest in this genre of music but I will try my best to help decipher them! First off I just want to say that I do not even think I have ever heard this song so that might create a bias on my part. But I think I understand what Lennon is saying here about “giving peace a chance”. I found it useful that he began to end rhyme by using all the “ism” words or the “ion” section. I think here he is really driving the message home and be doing this he created an easy song to get stuck into your head. In this regard I think he genuinely believed the message he was trying to portray. Also in looking at the time period of political instability it is almost a political innuendo to the leaders and even the common people of the era.
Have a great night!
Ashley R., Clemson, Sect.11
Hello Everyone,
My name is Tiffany Shree’ Posey, and I attend Clemson University where I am majoring in Industrial Engineering. The title tells the whole story. I knew just from the title what the whole song was going to be about. This title shows how this song is an anthem of the peace, love, and happiness movement during the 60’s era. This song to me indicates protest. Lennon is trying to tell the world to just try peace and give it a chance and see the outcome. I like how Lennon uses repetition because it lets him emphasize what he is trying to say. By using this, if I don’t get anything else out of the song, I will remember the line, “All we are saying is give peace a chance.” This song shows hope of those who where working for peace and social justice then. Even after the Vietnam, we can still see where we are still working for peace and social justice now. Maybe just like Lennon said then, “Just give peace a chance,” he needs to say it in this millennium because obviously we don’t how to give it a chance neither!
Tiffany Posey, Clemson, Sect. 26
Hey Groupies!
My name is Meagan. I go to USC Upstate and I’m a freshman studying elementary education. I would have to say that the title of the song, "Give Peace a Chance", basically sums up the whole message. And it’s the simple, to the point message that I like about this song. I believe that Lennon is just saying hey how about giving peace a chance. Everyone in the 60s was about war and peace but they spent more time fighting each other that they lost their focus of finding peace and Lennon is trying to tell them this. Lennon wants people to forget about everything else that they are fighting over for a moment and focus on finding peace. Give it a try instead of fighting. I like how he has all these different words and -isms but when you come to the words, "all we are saying is give peace a chance" it becomes the focus of the song. The message is simple and a typical one but the way he presents the message is cool to me.
Talk to ya’ll later!
Meagan
hola,
my name is savanna lewis. i am currently a freshman architecture major at clemson university. just after reading the title of the song i realized that it’s obviously an anti-war/pro-peace song. when i first read through the song i immediately noticed the rhyming and repetition of sound of certain groups of words. in the first stanza, there are a group of words ending with –ism. i'm not exactly sure what all of these words mean, but –ism is a suffix used to talk about an action. lennon lists specific –isms, but then follows up the group of words with “this-ism, that-ism, ism, ism, ism, all we are saying is give peace a chance.” i think this is a way of suggesting to listeners that during this time everyone was too concerned with doing this and that, focusing on somewhat irrelevant things, when the answer to all of the problems during that time would just be as simple as to “give peace a chance.” lennon continues this same method in the next two stanzas. the final stanza of the song lists a number of people, who i’m guessing share the same view as lennon. anywho, that’s all for now,
savanna.
Good evening!
I really felt that Tiffany and Meagan's comments were helpful in understanding the message Lennon was trying to get across. Tiffany stated that the title basically sums up the whole song, which it does! If you think about it that way rather than analyzing each line, the message is short, sweet and to the point: give peace a chance. Meagan also agreed with this. She said that everyone in the 60s was too busy worrying about fighting the war; no one gave peace a chance. My interpretation to this song is the same. It's the people that need to give peace a chance, and we need to work together. The world is filled with distractions and people living in the 60s were clearly affected by those. Fighting was the main concern, and obviously the only concern. However, we need to put our foot down and be strong and GIVE PEACE A CHANCE!
Hey Group!
After reading back through what everybody else has wrote I feel that Savanna and Kendall really understand the song and understand where I'm coming from. I like how Savanna made the point of the rhyming and repetition because I feel this is an important part of the song. I think Lennon was trying to make the point that I we have so much going on that we miss our chance to have peace. As both Kendall and Savanna said the message is simple and people needed to stop thinking about irrelevant things in life and give peace a chance.
Hey everyone hope your week has been going good and yay for fridays :)! Anywho back to our song discussion which is starting to make more sense with the feedback I have been getting from yall. One of the most important things that I overlooked was the title of the song. Even though it is found within the song I neglected to see it the first time I read over the lyrics. Meagan pointed this out from the very beginning and I think she is right when she says it basically sums up the whole entire message here. Its kinda funny I think that I did not even pay attention to it. The general consensus about this song obviously is the war thats going on. I think that Kendell said it when when she said that there were many distractions in the 60's and the mainstream distraction was the war taking place. So it is almost as if this song was an escape from all of the distractions taking place around everyone. It was the 2 minutes of life when a person could sing these words to themself and dream of peace. I think that is what Lennon wanted to get across, yeah he wanted people to stand up for their beliefs but I think that he also wanted them to settle down, and take a second to reflect on what was going on around them.
Until next time!
-Ashley R.,Clemson,Sect.11
Hey everyone!
Well I liked what Laura B. said about how Lennon brings up the routine, everyday conversations that people where having in this time period throughout the song. All their conversations were of things that distracted people from the real goal and that goal was peace. Although most everyone seemed to have the same ideas on this song, but I liked that Tiffany brought up the repetition in the song. It does emphasize Lennon’s message he’s trying to get across. I mean he repeats “All we are saying is give peace a chance” 8 times, so it seems pretty obvious.
Amber G. (11)
Ello People...
I will say that I agree with Savannah on that John Lennon just wanted people to quit focusing on irrelevant things, and to simply " give peace a chance", however, as simple as this may seem, I do believe that war is a necessary evil. Yes, John Lennon be a hippie and greatly involved in such events of the infamous 60's culture, I wouldn't go as far as to say that he was a "psychotic youngster". He had an opion and belief, just like many other anti-war protestors, and he just happened to choose music to get his point across, a powerful tool if I must say so - especially with the repetition that was particularly involved in this song. The message of the song is one that nearly everyone seems to agree on, as Amber G. said, he only says it 8 times. But, as I said, war is a necessary evil and I do belive that Lennon rode more on his emotions, because realistically, there will always be some conflict or war, and all we can really do is wish and hope for peace. So... guess I'm done for now - talk to ya'll soon.
Zach S., AROTC
Hello groupies,
Well overall I think everyone pointed out some good things, but I think Savanna overall analysis and the point she made about the suffix ism was really good. I also like when Amber said the title makes you want to listen to what the songwriter has to say because I feel the same way. Laura, I like what Laura bring up about how Lennon brings up routine conversations that people are having in the song. The conversation allows the audience to kind of see and relate to what he is actually trying to say. All in all we need to "GIVE PEACE A CHANCE".
Avoir Tiffany P., (26)
howdy,
after reading through everyone’s individual analyses of the song, i think that the majority of the group has a somewhat similar understanding of lennon’s lyrics. i took notes from a few of the posts in the group. i see what laura b. is saying. i agree with her suggestion made about routine conversations people were having. during the time some people were trying so hard to think about any- and everything instead of how to fix the present issues at hand. I also like how kendall mentioned everyone being distracted and how giving “peace a chance” can bring focus back to the real matter, the war. overall i think everyone had a good analysis of the song.
til' next time y’all,
savanna.
Hey again!
After going back and reading what everyone posted for their second post, I think for the most part we all seem to agree on the ideas and themes of this song. I liked the way Ashley pointed out what Lennon’s purpose for this song was, for people to stop thinking about other things and “reflect on what was going on around them.” Savanna also brought up this idea in her last post. Lennon really just wanted people to snap back into reality and realize that there were more important things going on in the world. I looked for a song to post on here but I came across one of Dr. Martin Luther King's speeches on the Vietnam War instead. In which he says,
“America, the richest and most powerful nation in the world, can well lead the way in this revolution of values. There is nothing, except a tragic death wish, to prevent us from reordering our priorities, so that the pursuit of peace will take precedence over the pursuit of war. There is nothing to keep us from molding a recalcitrant status quo with bruised hands until we have fashioned it into a brotherhood.”
I think Dr. King hit it right on the nose, so to say, when he wrote this in a speech. America, one of the greatest nations in the world, has this power to help change the world, but in order to do so the American people must rearrange our priorities. Exactly what Lennon was trying to get across to the people as well. People, Americans, need to strive for peace and do whatever they can; otherwise, things will never change in the world.
It's been nice chatting with ya'll,
Amber G.
Hello, everyone.
Zach -- I think I should clarify. 'Psychotic' implies that someone is affected by psychosis -- a disconnect from reality, such as not understanding basic concepts (gravity, that punching walls can break bones, etc.). In this clinical respect, the idea that the song conveys, that no one is simply willing to give peace a chance, is psychotic, because it oversimplifies the world. Things are not as simple and idealised as the Peace Movement would have had us believe. The Containment Policy had an important effect, despite how dismally it failed. And are we not morally obligated to protect those weaker than us? I'm sure the South Vietnamese appreciated us keeping them free for as long as we tried to.
Savanna -- I disagree that everyone was distracted. The Counter-culture movement were the ones who were distracted. Many people were focused directly on the war, and more specifically, on the broader reasons for the war -- The containment policy we had in regards to communism, the right of a people to live their lives as they so choose, free of oppression. Things are not as simple as everyone would like to think they are. Life is not black and white. The Peace Movement had a very simplified "You're with us or against us." It is possible to be against the war but for what it stands for, and against the peace movement but for its aims.
Laters, yous guys.
Carl v. K.
Good afternoon! Yay for Comment #3!! Anyway, I liked Ashley R.'s comment about how she overlooked the title of the song at first. Many times we do that, and if you think about it, in most cases it sums up the whole meaning of the song. The lyrics of a song go into detail about the message the title is giving.
I found a good picture that I thought ties into our discussion of this song:
www.fluffypinkblonde.co.uk
The picture is short, sweet and to the point, just like the meaning of this song. The picture says "Peace One Day". We all just need to get along and hopefully have peace one day. As Lennon says, Give Peace a Chance!
Hey Groupies!
This is the last post! It has been great hearing what everybody had to say about this song. Its been a joy. I really enjoyed reading Amber's last blog post becuase of getting another song or picture she wrote about another important person in the civil rights movement. I, like Amber, agree that Martin Luther King, Jr. and John Lennon, though every differnt people, had the same message. They both felt that everyone wanted peace and the only way we were going to have peace was to work together and bring America together as a whole.
i found a great picture at
http://mantis.strucke.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/peace.jpg that shows pictures of people around the world or maybe even just in America and it has the peace sign over their pictures. At the bottom it says, Give Peace a Chance. I feel that the picture really shows what Lennon was talking about in his song. Everyone wanted peace so why not give it a chance.
It has been great doing this blog with you guys!
Hey Groupies!
This is the last post! It has been great hearing what everybody had to say about this song. Its been a joy. I really enjoyed reading Amber's last blog post becuase of getting another song or picture she wrote about another important person in the civil rights movement. I, like Amber, agree that Martin Luther King, Jr. and John Lennon, though every differnt people, had the same message. They both felt that everyone wanted peace and the only way we were going to have peace was to work together and bring America together as a whole.
i found a great picture at
http://mantis.strucke.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/peace.jpg that shows pictures of people around the world or maybe even just in America and it has the peace sign over their pictures. At the bottom it says, Give Peace a Chance. I feel that the picture really shows what Lennon was talking about in his song. Everyone wanted peace so why not give it a chance.
It has been great doing this blog with you guys!
Meagan
Hello Groupies,
This is Tiffany for the last time. I enjoyed chatting with everyone, and I think everyone did a great job with the analysis the song. Amber that was a great idea with the Martin Luther King speech as a representation because like you say Martin Luther King Jr. did hit it on the nose. Before America can seek peace, they need to check their priorities. I found a poem at http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/peaceful-prayers/ and it goes like this:
Some dream of a peace not imposed by UN soldiers or weapons of war
The dream of peace where in reality, we must first lose sight of the shore
Some pursue the peace known to them as the little white dove
A peace in which each creed, color and race can love
Some search for the peace that begins not with war
The peace that men of arms need not die for
Some question the peace that we supposedly have today
The peace in which rain still falls and clouds are grey
Some speak of a true peace in which the world can live free
A peace that is only a hope and will never actually be
Zee Jan
Like Lennon this poem is a cry out for peace and maybe we as people should give it a chance. The last line of the poem made me realize that maybe peace is only a hope and will never actually be, but Lennon changed my mind and is trying to persuade us the peace can be and will be if we just “give it a chance”.
Yours Truly,
Tiffany P., (26)
Well, I'm posting again here because I didn't realize that the representation couldn't be text, so I found a picture that I thought would be a good choice instead. I found this image on a website and thought that it a good picture to go along with Lennon's song, "Give Peace a Chance." It's somewhat obvious, people are protesting in the photo for peace.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39345000/jpg/_39345591_california203.jpg
Greetings, everyone.
I've found this entire conversation rather depressing. It's very sad to see how far logic and rhetoric and reason have sunk, and how easily the passions of the public are inflamed. The degeneration of American Society that started with the Post WWII generation, the first 'Me' generation, the first generation that felt entitled, that never had to suffer and scrape as their parents had, has progressed nicely in this consumerist culture of ours, where we are no longer citizens, not even taxpayers, but consumers. A world of instant gratification where the idea that one might have to suffer for the greater good is anathema.
I made this from a picture I had in my /b/ folder. It perfectly expresses the true nature of this song, and the feelings it inspires in me. God forbid we actually understand the complicated socio-economic and political and historical factors which led to the Vietnam War. God forbid we help those weaker than us when they are under assault by persons who wish to take away our freedoms. Let's all just refine reality to a simple, black and white, dualistic, yes and no, right and wrong newspaper comic, because to actually have to think about anything would be too much effort for the majority of Americans these days.
Dejectedly yours,
Carl v. K.
Hey ya'll how are we doing?!
First off I want to say its been fun chatting it up, but all good things must come to an end.
So lets see here I think Carl is being a little bit harsh on everyone. I mean I can see where he is coming from but hey nobody is perfect. I really liked your picture though,very creative and you've got talent.
I am kinda thrown off though about how it ties into the song and or how it ties into what we think about peace. I dont put my face in my hands when I think about peace so I dont know...
I also enjoyed this picture.... http://mantis.strucke.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/peace.jpg. I dont know who posted it because it says anonymous, but I thought it tied in very well with what we were discussing.
But my view of peace comes from this picture... http://www.gardenmob.com/chicago-peace-rose/rose-chicago-peace.jpg. It is a peace rose and this is how I see it, the world is this rose and the more hate filled things we take part in the more this flower dies. But as we increasingly give peace a chance as Lennon is suggesting the more the flower begins to grow and flourish.
Its been fun guys good luck with the rest of your semester :)!
Ashley R., Clemson, Sect. 11
Hello for the last time guys/gals,
I gotta say its been fun. I've also gotta say "wow". Karl - mellow out a little man, it seems like your mad because no one is taking up with your opinions. They're opinions for a reason, and i've got to say your being a little too analytical. Your fire and passion is burning, but you seem to have no understanding of the "hippie" era, and with such brutal sarcasm that you've used on how American society has "degenerated", I have to say I disagree. Just because everyone can come to a similar conclusion with a few differences doesn't mean that nobody understands whats going on the song and what its about. I use a quote to describe what I mean: If your driving down the road and wonder why everyone else is going in the wrong direction, well... All I'm saying is lets not blow a gasket, let's give peace a chance..hmmm?
The song is about peace, and a desire to shift priorites and focuses to such during this era, something I belive everyone vaguely agrees on, seeing as how everyone has pretty much said the same thing. I've got to give kudos to Amber on critiquing one famous figure with another, and a good choice of quote on top of that. MLK did put it quite nicely for this topic. Although, even being a great quote, to just have an entire nation shift priorites for peace is unrealistic; Sadly, there are people out there who are against such dreams. As I said before all we can do is hope, and act on what each individual believes.
I picked this following link,( http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m65/jimstaro/bring20them20home20now.jpg ) because in my opinion, (yes carl, opinion,) it gives a remotely accurate depiction of how the majority of soldiers, even the ones that enjoy there job, can want peace. Not just with 'Nam, but with all wars, just like soldiers are fighting over there, we're fighting too - to bring them home, which can be done through peace and resolutions. So what the heck, even though in vain, lets still try to give it a chance. As John Lennon did, I have too, spoke my mind. Well, thats about it for me and it's been great.
zach s., arotc
Hello again,
I still stand by my first opinion that the song is about peace. To reiterate my point, I picked this as my example.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e129/Lalena24/_40336521_us_protests300.jpg
I'm sorry to see so many people feel its worth arguing about something as simple as song lyrics. It is important to hear other people's opinions, but it seems slightly ironic that we're arguing the meaning of a song that wants to "Give Peace A Chance." Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but honestly, is it worth the angst?
See ya!
Laura B. (60)
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