In the 1960s and 70s, thanks to the explosion in new radio stations and the popularity of 45 and 33 1/3 records, political songs, that might have been too controversial for Top 40 radio became part of the soundtrack for a generation. But sometimes what are seen as political songs, and even so called protest songs, really weren’t meant to be political to begin with. Or similarly what happens when musicians find their songs being appropriated by politicians for rallies or causes that they disagree with. Does that make a song political? Some songs that were meant to be political were not seen as such when they were popular. And songs like Yankee Doodle, Dixie, or This Land Is Your Land that once were very political as time passes become—just songs instead.

So what is a political song anyway? Gil Scott-Heron wrote songs and poetry in response to current events, not just in Black America, but all of America. Are they about politics or are they about culture? Or are they not one in the same now? Why does his work still seem to resonate today?  

For Subscribers: Coda To Episode 2:2 SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE
Drawn to poetry and topical songs. Bob Dylan and John Lennon.

Wow & Flutter is a special bonus for subscribers to Return To Vinyls +. This double episode looks at two musicians who also published poetry and wrote books after their song writing and singing became well known: John Lennon and Bob Dylan. Of course the two of them, along with Paul McCartney made it almost mandatory that singers write their own material. And that no doubt has made singers who not only write good songs but are also good lyricists (people who write song lyrics) more significant. Dylan’s song writing is so significant that it won him a noble prize. What also ties Dylan and Lennon together is their sometimes use of topical songs — relating to events of the day; especially political ones. FREE TRIAL ON APPLE.

Copyright Notice: All of the music samples used in this podcast series are used under Fair Use provisions of the US Copyright Law which states: “it is permissible to use limited portions of a work including quotes, for purposes such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, and scholarly reports.”

The copyright of all music in this podcast series is held by the individual holders. The theme and end songs are licensed from Fresh Music Library. All commentary is copyright by David Husom. All rights are reserved. Contact the author for educational use of this material.