Hippies
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world, indeed it's the only thing that ever has."
~ Margaret Meade
~ Margaret Meade
History:
The Hippie movement began in the mid-1960’s and ended in the early 1970’s. “The Hippies created their own counterculture founded on psychedelic rock and the embracement of the sexual revolution” (mortaljourney.com). Hippies lived by the phrase: ”life was about being happy, not about what others thought you should be” meaning that they didn’t want to live in the bubblegum pop, strict, white picket fence society that generations before wanted them to be, but also, hippies were also known for living life, and doing things they wanted without thinking about the consequences of their actions (mortaljourney.com). “The hippies promoted the use of LSD or psychedelic drugs, as well as marijuana, which they believed expanded their consciousness.” They dressed in psychedelic clothes with floral prints, and also they listened to music that made fun of the government or ‘Sticking it to the man’. They championed for sexual liberation, especially for women, and free love (mortaljourney.com). The biggest movement throughout the Hippie era, was on October 21, 1967, where over 100,000 hippies marched peacefully in DC around the Pentagon; the protesters were met by a wall of about 2, 500 soldiers surrounding the Pentagon. The hippie era ended positively with a three day music festival at Woodstock featuring bands like: Country Joe and the Fish, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis Joplin, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, and so many other bands. In 1969, there was an event – the Altamont Free Concert – that had over 300,000 people, used the Hells Angel’s as security, and ended with the death of 18 year old - Meredith Hunter. This concert shocked so many people that supported the hippie movement, that the hippie movement was diminishing, and soon anyone who dressed up like a hippie was physically attacked on the streets, by people in other youth subcultures (mortaljourney.com). This was the end of the Hippie movement.
Lyrical Analysis:
Revolution, John Lennon:
You say you want a revolution Well you know We all want to change the world You tell me that it's evolution Well you know We all want to change the world But when you talk about destruction Don't you know you can count me out Don't you know it's gonna be alright Alright Alright You say you got a real solution Well you know We'd all love to see the plan You ask me for a contribution Well you know We're doing what we can But when you want money for people with minds that hate All I can tell you is brother you have to wait Don't you know it's gonna be alright Alright Alright You say you'll change the constitution Well you know We all want to change your head You tell me it's the institution Well you know You better free your mind instead But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow Don't you know know it's gonna be alright Alright Alright |
This song talks about everyones reaction during a war. According to Lennon, we all want peace, we want a revolution, and changing the world is the beginning of an Evolution. When we think about changing the world, we think we can do it peacefully and easily, but thats not the case. When we try and change something, it can turn into a mass destruction. To change the world easily it causes destruction, but when we sit there and plan, we can get people to care about a cause as much as you do because you can get people to contribute, to donate. While some people do things for the right reason to help others and to better society, others do it for greed, and they gain hate and riches. Also if you break the law, to do it for something right, you end up being in trouble, sometimes its small, but sometimes you do something that you believe is right and get in major trouble. Finally, according to Lennon, if you "free your mind", and be true to yourself...Everything is going to be alright.
(Credits: given to John Lennon, and the Beatles.) |