Iraq is the new Vietnam as pop protest returns to the airwaves;

0 Comments | Sunday Herald, The, Aug 8, 2004 | by Torcuil Crichton

Established artists like Patti Smith and Rickie Lee Jones have always been at the forefront of political lyricism. Now others are getting in on the act. John Mellencamp and Steve Earle have penned anti-Bush songs, and Earle's next album, The Revolution Starts ... Now, is almost exclusively about the Iraq war.

Whether a single musical note will make a difference to the election is in some doubt. As well as it being a case of singing to the converted, it's clear that voters are not greatly influenced by celebrity endorsements in politics. In raising the profile of the election itself, and the war, in a nation where almost half the population don't vote and the mainstream media is cowed by government, the tour will serve a direct purpose.

It will, of course, be attacked by the Republicans as another liberal circus showing how out of touch John Kerry is with mainstream America. With Bruce Springsteen onside, a performer whose songs and persona embody earthy, hometown America, making that charge stick won't be that easy.

Then and now Anti Vietnam War Songs Eve Of Destruction Barry McGuire What's Going On Marvin Gaye Give Peace A Chance John Lennon War Edwin Starr Blowin' In The Wind Bob Dylan I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'- to-Die Rag Country Joe and the Fish Bad Moon Rising Creedence Clearwater Revival I Ain't Marching Anymore Phil Ochs Universal Soldier Donovan Turn Turn Turn ByrdsAnti Iraq War Songs Anti Iraq war songs Why? Jakadis (right) In A World Gone Mad Beastie Boys American Life Madonna The Beautiful Occupation Travis Temper System of a Down The Price Of War Billy Bragg Son Of A Bush Public Enemy Jacobs Ladder Chumbawamba Watch Over Them Ms. Dynamite B.O.B (Bombs Over Baghdad) Outkast