Thinking about songs being covered by new artists, I was surprised when Youtube showed me a recent (very good) cover of Peggy Seeger's "I'm Gonna Be an Engineer" (originally 1973; so just under 50 years old at the time of the cover) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7_jhpvsFrM
I really appreciate that when I share songs you are generally inclined to listen to them!
I'm glad you liked it. On one hand, that's the sort of song that some of the people in your last post might have been making fun of -- it does slightly belabor its point. But I think it's a great song, and that cover is great.
It reminds me that another song which would fit the theme of personal protest songs is "Talking Wheelchair Blues" (which I know because Peggy Seeger covered it, but I see, now, that it's originally by Fred Smith) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrVn51bCZRI
Great song! I've sent it to a family member who's been in a wheelchair her whole life. The song is totally on the money as all of that happens, including people asking me what she wants to eat in a restaurant. She also has a great sense of humor about it, like the protagonist in the song. Glad you shared that.
Damn girl, you’re a good writer. Darn good editor too.
Like you lassoed an cool epoch!
Also, choosing to put Mavis Staples video on was incredible. What an embodiment of soul. As they showed the people in the audience, you could tell most people were just receiving vital energy like a Big blood transfusion.
Ellen this is like a vaccine for the times. People are in a really dark space and they need to look back at how folks at that pretty time just got with it. Then didn’t let it slide. They spoke from their heart. And and those of us that were listening picked it up like they were right in the room with us.
What a great post and so appropriate for right now on Substack or people are just hammered and whining. We can do this!
Hey, thanks so much, Greg, and glad you are finding it relevant and aspirational, as that is certainly one of my intentions.
It helps that I lived through those times and remember how confusing and frightening they could be but also, perversely, how exciting and inspiring given that movements and initiatives were forming to redress the ills of society accompanied by the incredible music of that remarkably creative era, as well as some phenomenal leaders. It was a thrilling time to live, and I see so many parallels with today, but also some key differences.
I will be doing another series following on this one, not sure the exact focus yet, so I will be sending out a survey to get feedback. Hope you will fill that out and give me your input.
I'll be sending out a survey asking for people's own favorites, as well as voting on the ones I profiled. Then presenting the results. So this can go on the list of reader faves and suggestions. (I'm keeping track.)
Goodness, Ellen, I'm almost inclined to think you're going all activist. Hey, I have a protest song titled "Wave Interference", what do you think, should I record it?
Great concept Ellen! Reading most of the titles, I could immediately hear the songs in my head. Never thought of them as protest songs but of course they are. I would add one song to this list--it's more recent (1987) but pretty relevant: "Luka" by Suzanne Vega. In an interview years later she admitted the she was Luka.
Thanks, Charles, and I'm not surprised you know all the songs with your extensive musical knowledge.
Luka is such an important song on so many levels, not least what it says about how one's voice and ability to protest can be suppressed from an early age.
Thanks so much, Hugh. And yeah, I felt so happy when I listened to that Staples Singers concert -- and kept going back to listen again and again. Extraordinary.
Great stuff - what a trip down memory lane! I actually used the word “groovy” in a conversation with my mom once. She immediately appeared to be looking at the second head I apparently had grown. Now I only say it when ending conversations with silly people…
Moms did not seem to get the whole groovy thing, and my mom thought even Simon and Garfunkel were out there.
The lingo does seem silly in retrospect, especially when you're not on any psychedelic substances -- "groovy, man!" and "far out!" and "I really dig it" -- but I can't think of any other era that has such great catchphrases. (Maybe "cool cat" from jazz?)
These songs are still very relevant, as the best protest songs are.
So true, even after 50+ years, and probably why they keep getting covered by new artists.
Thinking about songs being covered by new artists, I was surprised when Youtube showed me a recent (very good) cover of Peggy Seeger's "I'm Gonna Be an Engineer" (originally 1973; so just under 50 years old at the time of the cover) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7_jhpvsFrM
What a great song and a great cover. Thanks for sharing that, Nick!
I really appreciate that when I share songs you are generally inclined to listen to them!
I'm glad you liked it. On one hand, that's the sort of song that some of the people in your last post might have been making fun of -- it does slightly belabor its point. But I think it's a great song, and that cover is great.
It reminds me that another song which would fit the theme of personal protest songs is "Talking Wheelchair Blues" (which I know because Peggy Seeger covered it, but I see, now, that it's originally by Fred Smith) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrVn51bCZRI
Judging by his wikipedia page he's quite impressive (songwriter / lawyer/ Unitarian Minister) -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Small_(singer-songwriter)
Great song! I've sent it to a family member who's been in a wheelchair her whole life. The song is totally on the money as all of that happens, including people asking me what she wants to eat in a restaurant. She also has a great sense of humor about it, like the protagonist in the song. Glad you shared that.
"Everyday People" is just magic - a happy, upbeat song that at the same time manages to sound desperately sad.
Yes, great observation. One of the best songs about how we stereotype one another. It is sad!
Damn girl, you’re a good writer. Darn good editor too.
Like you lassoed an cool epoch!
Also, choosing to put Mavis Staples video on was incredible. What an embodiment of soul. As they showed the people in the audience, you could tell most people were just receiving vital energy like a Big blood transfusion.
Ellen this is like a vaccine for the times. People are in a really dark space and they need to look back at how folks at that pretty time just got with it. Then didn’t let it slide. They spoke from their heart. And and those of us that were listening picked it up like they were right in the room with us.
What a great post and so appropriate for right now on Substack or people are just hammered and whining. We can do this!
Hey, thanks so much, Greg, and glad you are finding it relevant and aspirational, as that is certainly one of my intentions.
It helps that I lived through those times and remember how confusing and frightening they could be but also, perversely, how exciting and inspiring given that movements and initiatives were forming to redress the ills of society accompanied by the incredible music of that remarkably creative era, as well as some phenomenal leaders. It was a thrilling time to live, and I see so many parallels with today, but also some key differences.
I will be doing another series following on this one, not sure the exact focus yet, so I will be sending out a survey to get feedback. Hope you will fill that out and give me your input.
Definitely! Power to the people!
How about I Fought the Law by Bobby Fuller Four? All time great dance tune but does it deserve to be on classic list?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OgtQj8O92eI&pp=ygUdaSBmb3VnaHQgdGhlIGxhdyBib2JieSBmdWxsZXI%3D
A classic and Top 10 hit, for sure.
I'll be sending out a survey asking for people's own favorites, as well as voting on the ones I profiled. Then presenting the results. So this can go on the list of reader faves and suggestions. (I'm keeping track.)
My SS is wonky today: “I’m keeping…” and then was cut off.
Sorry—now it is visible when I replied.
I'm keeping track.
Goodness, Ellen, I'm almost inclined to think you're going all activist. Hey, I have a protest song titled "Wave Interference", what do you think, should I record it?
I'm a fan of rock music, and by definition rock music is about challenging 'authority' of some sort (even one's own self, on occasion).
Ha ha, good one. I hate when waves interfere. Water waves, sound waves, you name it. You must protest them!
It's settled then, I'll put it in one of my terrible recordings under the Dead Strings label.
Looking forward to hearing it.
Stay tuned, easy melody.
Great concept Ellen! Reading most of the titles, I could immediately hear the songs in my head. Never thought of them as protest songs but of course they are. I would add one song to this list--it's more recent (1987) but pretty relevant: "Luka" by Suzanne Vega. In an interview years later she admitted the she was Luka.
Thanks, Charles, and I'm not surprised you know all the songs with your extensive musical knowledge.
Luka is such an important song on so many levels, not least what it says about how one's voice and ability to protest can be suppressed from an early age.
Well, I don't know ALL the songs but a lot of them are pretty iconic!
You did write 'most' but of course I replaced it with 'all' as your stack is my go-to for expanding my musical horizons!
That is incredibly flattering. There is so much more I haven't explored!
Love the "let's get personal" post, it's been a great series! And that Staples Singers footage. . . just. . . wow.
Thanks so much, Hugh. And yeah, I felt so happy when I listened to that Staples Singers concert -- and kept going back to listen again and again. Extraordinary.
Great stuff - what a trip down memory lane! I actually used the word “groovy” in a conversation with my mom once. She immediately appeared to be looking at the second head I apparently had grown. Now I only say it when ending conversations with silly people…
Thanks, Michael.
Moms did not seem to get the whole groovy thing, and my mom thought even Simon and Garfunkel were out there.
The lingo does seem silly in retrospect, especially when you're not on any psychedelic substances -- "groovy, man!" and "far out!" and "I really dig it" -- but I can't think of any other era that has such great catchphrases. (Maybe "cool cat" from jazz?)
‘sup?
Good one.