Identifying the radical ‘anti-war’ songs from the 60s is relatively easy. “War” by Edwin Star or “Give Peace a Chance,” was obviously written in protest of the Vietnam War. There were a few popular songs that were part of the peace moment that weren’t so obvious…
“Blowing in the Wind” stand today as the single reason to point to the genius of Bob Dylan who penned the song, made famous by folk rock stars Peter Paul and Mary, with other popular versions by Bobby Darin, Elvis, and Neil Young. It’s a wonderful song about the human race learning from its mistakes.
“Turn Turn Turn” by the Byrds is an incredible popular song that quietly presents the message of the circle of life, Karma, and self-awareness and atonement.
“Reach Out in the Darkness” by a one-hit wonder group called ‘Friend and Lover,’ Barry McGuire’s “Eve of Destruction,” and “Ohio” by CSNY were significant songs of protest and social conscience in the movement of Truth to Power.
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