Songs have often been vehicles for expressing views about social and political issues. The sixties was a decade of turbulent social and political upheaval and it’s not surprising that many of today’s songs reflect that fact. Three songs have a distinct anti war flavour – starting with Bob Dylan‘s classic Blowin’ In The Wind sung here by the magnificent Joan Baez. Pete Seeger‘s Where Have All The Flowers Gone became an anthem for lost youth. Good News Week by Hedgehoppers Anonymous sums up the state of the world at the time – and could easily apply now. Social issues are presented through Elvis Presley‘s poignant In The Ghetto, Stevie Wonder‘s Grammy award song Living For The City and the legendary Loretta Lynn with her satirical One’s On The Way. LGBTIQ+ favourite Lesley Gore sings the first feminist song You Don’t Own Me.

 

PLAYLIST

* Don’t Sleep In The Subway – Petula Clark

* Blowin’ In the Wind- Joan Baez

* Living For The City – Stevie Wonder

* Girls On The Avenue – Richard Clapton

* Only Love/People Get Ready – Bob Marley

* Where Have All The Flowers Gone – Kingston Trio

* Love Child – The Supremes

* In the Ghetto – Elvis Presley

* One’s On The Way – Loretta Lynn

* You Don’t Own Me – Lesley Gore

* Respect – Aretha Franklin

* Good News Week – Hedgehoppers Anonymous