John's Journey: Songs that Shook the Nation

My daughter has been taking a class this cycle, Songs that Shook the Nation. at her school (Sora Schools). It was how music was either shaped by the history of the time or influenced historical events in that time period. The timeframe for the expedition is a song that took place during the 20th century post World War I starting in the Rip-Roaring-Twenties through the 1990s. She had to ask 3 people in her life for 3 songs each. My 3 are the first three with the questions I had to address. The rest of the songs were her mom's and grandma G's.

Imagine - John Lennon (October 11, 1971)

Lyrics and Listen | History | YouTube

Memory of the song?

Even as an adolescent this song was already over 10 years old and being played on the oldies station on the radio, but a more recent encounter with that song was at our church, Unity of Pompano. They have an awesome group of musicians and use a lot of contemporary songs during their service. One week in September during World Day of Peace, they played this song.

What it means to you?

In that moment that I heard this song at church, the song that I had heard so many times before had taken on new life and became this symbol of hope for the future and sadness that humanity is the way it is right now.

Why do you think it was important?

In the 1960s civil rights movement, John Lennon was part of the Beatles. After they broke up and John Lennon became a solo artist, this song debuted in the early 1970s. Like this song, there was a lot of hope after the 60s and the nation was heading in a new direction, but at the same time, MLK Jr and JFK had both been assassinated. Even with the groundwork that was set in the 1960s and the steps taken toward environmental improvements, racism was still blatant and thriving in many parts of the country and pollution was reaching extreme levels. While all humanity struggles with flaws, as a society we move slowly but as individuals, we strive for a higher level of consciousness and evolved sensibility. This song shows people a better way to be and live one’s life.

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Blowin’ in the Wind - Bob Dylan (August 13, 1963)

Lyrics and Listen | History | YouTube

A memory of the song? What the song means to me?

Aside from hearing this song on the radio, I don’t have any singular memory of this song. However, the song has been popularized as a civil rights movement song. The questions posed in the song aren’t answered in the song. We form beliefs and opinions based upon what we’ve been taught, what our social groups think, what our religion believes, and what our society thinks. So when we share our opinion about things, especially controversial things, we may say things that make us appear unsympathetic, lack compassion, reveal our contempt for things, or uncover our anger, hate and fear. The rhetorical questions in this song have obvious answers that we know in our heart, but sometimes can’t admit because of our past. Songs like this help remind us what is true, what follows a divine order, or reveals the way things should be.

What it means to you? And why do you think it was important?

All the songs I’ve chosen were released many years ago. I think we can find personal meaning in songs, but until that song has some history both in context and longevity, we won’t know what impact it will have or how much it will “shake” our nation. All too often we avoid talking about things because they are controversial, touch on the darker side of humanity, or embarrass us. This song asks questions that society dare not ask.

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What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong (September 1, 1967)

Lyrics and Listen | History | YouTube

Memory of the song?

This song has been playing on the radio for so many years and it has also found its way into dozens of movies and even in the background of commercials. I’ve also experienced it being played at a wedding reception. Again it was sung at our church, but the memory that sticks with me is when my wife and I used to create videos for graduations and it was a great song to be played in the background of these videos. Watching the scrolling pictures of a person’s life or the students' baby pictures still plays over and over in my mind.

What it means to you?

Louis Armstrong was extremely well known for his talent with a trumpet. He had this raspy voice that wouldn’t be considered melodic by any number of people, but his voice has become so iconic with this song. It makes me believe that when you have a meaningful idea or lyrics in a song it can touch the hearts and souls of humanity. Your idea can become transcendent.

Why do you think it was important?

There is this nostalgia that exists around this song. It has always been a symbol of gratitude and appreciation. To view the world in a positive light, even when there is so much tragedy and sorrow in the world. People find meaning in songs but when a song like this finds popularity across different genres, cultural groups, and over so many years, the song becomes a timeless treasure. It reaches millions of people and shapes who we are subtly and we pass that wisdom down to our children.

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I would have also pick the song my wife picked by Billy Joel, We Didn't Start the Fire. I also agree with my wife's pick by Michael Jackson, We are the World.

There are so many songs that could have historical impact, but another one that comes to mind for me is Kenny G's version of Auld Lang Syne. Kenny G's songs are all instrumental of course. He released a Duets album where he played soprano sax along side vocalist who sang their songs, but his own songs are only instrumental. This song however was released at the end of 1999 and for him was instrumental but had a unique effect. While he played sax, major historical recordings / sound clips of events were played overtop his music. This song may have been at the tail end of the millennium and for the most part outside of the projects timeline, it touch on everything this course covered.

Michele's songs

We Didn’t start the fire