Category: Theme Months & Other Displays

Songs of Peace: Ohio

One of the most famous and influential songs of the antiwar movement of the 1960s and early 1970s is “Ohio”, written by Neil Young and performed by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. So many aspects of youth counter-culture, protests against the Vietnam War, and deep divisions within American society came together tragically as four university students were shot dead, and nine more wounded, at Kent State University in Ohio when the National Guard opened fire against student protestors. Neil Young wrote “Ohio” in reaction to the tragedy at Kent State, and the song was released in June of 1970. It has grown to become known as one the anthems of protest and antiwar activism.

November is Peace Month at your School Library.

Other “Songs of Peace” in this series:

Songs of Peace: “Zombie”

“Zombie” by The Cranberries was released in 1994. Led by the late Dolores O’Riordan (1971-2018), The Cranberries were one of Ireland’s greatest alternative rock bands, especially during the 90’s.

Zombie is an anti-war song written to protest the ongoing violence of “The Troubles,” sectarian conflict in Ireland with its roots going back deep into Irish history and continuing to rear its ugly head even into the 1990’s.

Other “Songs of Peace” in this series:

Songs of Peace: Imagine

Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

John Lennon

We previously featured “Give Peace a Chance” by John Lennon on a Songs of Peace post. “Imagine” is arguably his greatest song with or without the Beatles, and certainly one of the most loved and most played songs of the 20th Century.

source: YouTube / John Lennon & Plastic Ono Band

Other “Songs of Peace” in this series:

Songs of Peace: One Love

“Let’s get together and feel all right”

–Bob Marley, “One Love”
source: YouTube / John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band

There are many songs by Bob Marley that are considered “Songs of Peace.” Today we take a moment to consider “One Love.”

November 11 is Remembrance Day
November 5-11 is Veterans’ Week
November is Peace Month

Other “Songs of Peace” in this series:

Songs of Peace: Give Peace a Chance

“All we are saying is give peace a chance.”

–John Lennon
source: YouTube / John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band

The antiwar movement of the 1960s and early 1970’s focused on the American war in Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia. Many songs became forever associated with this era, perhaps none more so than “Give Peace a Chance.”

Although he was still a member of the Beatles, this was John Lennon’s first single released without the “Fab Four.” Originally the writing credits went to both Lennon and Paul McCartney, however later Lennon claimed that Yoko Ono deserved a credit, not Paul. The song was the musical highlight of the “Bed-In” of Lennon and Ono in Montreal in 1969. “Give Peace a Chance” would become what many consider to be the ultimate antiwar anthem.

Of course, many others will argue the ultimate antiwar anthem is John Lennon’s masterpiece, “Imagine.” Look for that in a future “Songs of Peace” post.

Find out more:

Give Peace a Chance (Wikipedia)

Official Site of John Lennon

Pop Matters: John Lennon

November 11 is Remembrance Day
November 5-11 is Veterans’ Week
November is Peace Month

Other “Songs of Peace” in this series:

Songs of Peace: Sunday Bloody Sunday

“This song is not a rebel song. This song is Sunday Bloody Sunday.” (U2)

source: U2 / YouTube

Sunday Bloody Sunday, by U2, is one of the Irish band’s signature tunes, one of the greatest rock songs of all time, and amongst the greatest calls for an end to violence and war that can be found in popular music.

The title refers specifically to the events of Bloody Sunday during the height of “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland. More generally the song is a denunciantion of the sectarian violence in Northern Ireland and a profoundly anti-war anthem.

Find out more about “Sunday Bloody Sunday”:

Other “Songs of Peace” in this series: