1. Music During
Wartime

2. People in general opt for
peace but…
• During war peoples’
eyes and ears are often
closed to a better way;
• Often listen to the
authorities in their
situation.
• Soldiers take orders
from their
commanders.
• Citizens generally trust
their government to do
the right thing.

3. People feel powerless…
• Even if they know war is wrong
• But music can give people a voice

4. Music gives people a voice to
articulate the injustice and
destruction of war.
• Many artists have
loaned their voice to
help change the
world in bad
situations
– Crosby, Stills, Nash
and Young
– Joni Mitchell
– Bob Dylan
– Joan Baez
– Jimmy Hendrix

5. During the
1960s…
• Many citizens
were against the
Vietnam War

6. Music of the 60s…
• was an integral part of the
generation’s anti-war
movement, civil rights
movement, and protests
against other social
injustices of the time.

7. Bob Dylan was at the
center of musical protest
• His lyrics of anger,
alienation and
protest touched the
souls of the youth
informing them that
“the times, they are a
changing’

8. Masters of War
• Left a lasting
impression on the
nation and the world.
• Written in 1963, in
response to President
Eisenhower’s warning
of the dangers of the
military industrial
complex
• full of Dylan’s rage at
politicians and people
that profited from war.

10. Masters of War
• The lyrics talk about the physical and
emotional damages of war.
• The song described how many people
were feeling and gave them
“permission” to go public with their fury.
• The melody of “Masters of War” is
simple, repeating the same musical
phrase throughout the song.

11. Masters of War
• The use of the minor key sets the
melancholy mood of the song.
• The simplicity of the melody and chords
focuses the listener on the powerful anti-
war lyrics. Lyrics are direct, angry, and are
an indictment of war and the people
connected with it.
• Covered by many artists and applied
repeatedly to other wars as they have
occurred over the decades.

12. Music can impact
world opinion
“Music allows us to
move around those big
invisible pieces of
ourselves and
rearrange our insides so
that we can express
what we feel even when
we can’t talk about it”-
Dr. Karl Paulnack
• Artists like Bob Dylan
found ways to
express what people
couldn’t
• Artists paved the way
for people to openly
and honestly discuss
their displeasure of
war