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August 30, 2008 3:27:05 AM CDT

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Protest Songs Get Tuned Out

Posted Mar 29, 08 12:37 CDT in Arts & Living,  Politics 

(Newser) – So where are all the anti-war anthems? Opposition to the Vietnam War spawned a genre of classic counterculture songs, but not so the Iraqi war, despite widespread opposition. The main reason, Politico notes, is the narrowed scope of the music industry today. Singers still sing protests songs, but only their particular fans tend to hear them—alone with their iPods.

"Back in the pre-digital, network era, we all fed from the same culture trough," a music historian said. The makers of Body of War, a documentary about a disabled Iraq vet, have assembled a soundtrack showcasing today's protest songs from the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder, and Public Enemy. But the whole format is dormant, Politico writes, thanks to listeners who'd rather download individual songs.

Source Politico

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Opposition to the Vietnam War spawned a whole genre of protest music. Plenty of songs opposing the Iraq war have been released, but they're not reaching the mass audience they used to.   (Magnum Photos)
Anti Vietnam peace march in Washington against the Vietnam War . 21 st October 1967.   (Magnum Photos)
Tomas Young, subject of anti-war documentary "Body of War."   (KRT Photos)
Musician Eddie Vedder sings as Tomas Young sits in a wheelchair on left at a performance of songs from the film, "Body Of War", during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Eddie Vedder and Tomas Young discuss the music for 'Body of War.'   (nirvanacl (YouTube))
Eddie Vedder sings 'No More'   (chrisbutkovich (YouTube))

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Tags

Iraq war  • music  • protests  • rock music  • song  • Neil Young  • soundtrack  • Eddie Vedder


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