Dani Minehart
Issue date: 5/6/09
Messages enforcing peace across the world are everywhere, but many
times are overlooked. There are many songs that are dedicated to
spreading the word of peace, love and unity, but these are the top five:
"Give Peace A Chance" by John Lennon
"Everybody's talkin' 'bout Bagism, Shagism, Dragism, Madism, Ragism,
Tagism. This-ism, that-ism, ism ism ism. All we are saying is give
peace a chance. All we are saying is give peace a chance."
The song is simple and straight- forward, but has inspired many to
pass on the memo. The lyrics continue by telling that "everyone" is
talking about a revolution, evolution, the United Nations and so on.
While these are factors that could help change the world into a more
peaceful place, Lennon clears up any confusion and gets to the bottom
line: give peace a chance.
Some terms used in the song are puzzling to the common listener.
Bagism is a term that Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, created during
their peace campaigns in the late '60s. The intention of the word was
to mock stereotyping and prejudice by wearing a bag over one's entire body.
"Where Is The Love?" by the Black Eyed Peas
"What's wrong with the world, mama? People living like they ain't got
no mamas. I think the whole world's addicted to the drama, only
attracted to things that'll bring the trauma. Overseas, yeah, we try
to stop terrorism, but we still got terrorists here living."
This popular hit came out in 2003 with one important question: where
is the love? It spread meaningful expressions of peace to the
contemporary listener and hit home for many. It questions the
strength of love and peace if there are still countries dropping
bombs and people killing each other, but illustrates the real problem
with society. The lyrics show that humanity is selfish and that our
society is fixated on putting more money in its pocket, passing this
principle down to future generations.
"Peace Train" by Cat Stevens
"Now I've been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come,
and I believe it could be, something good has begun. Oh, I've been
smiling lately, dreaming about the world as one, and I believe it
could be, someday it's going to come."
Stevens paints a picture for the listener that a peace train is on
its way, and will wait for everyone to get on board. The meaning
behind the song is that it's possible for everyone to live in bliss
and peace could come soon. Many of Stevens' songs are uplifting and
preach about the precious gift of individuality and peace.
"With God On Our Side" by Bob Dylan
"Oh my name, it is nothin', my age, it means less. The country I come
from is called the Midwest. I's taught and brought up there, the laws
to abide. And that land that I live in has God on its side."
The way the song morphs into an anti-war one is interesting. Dylan
explains how as a child he never understood the reason behind each
war, but was taught to accept it without a question.
Each verse ends with "God on our side," showing that America, and any
country that is on board with America, has God on its side. However,
Dylan brings up a crucial point at the end of the song that is a slap
in the face: "If God's on our side, he'll stop the next war."
"Imagine" by John Lennon
"Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try. No hell below us,
above us only sky. Imagine all the people living for today. Imagine
there's no countries, it isn't hard to do. Nothing to kill or die
for, and no religion too. Imagine all the people living life in
peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope
someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one."
"Imagine" is without a doubt, the top anti-war peace activist song.
It grabs the listener and takes them to a completely different world
where everyone lives in peace and unity. No one is better than anyone
else, no one has a more expensive car or house and no one keeps
things solely for themselves.
In Lennon's world, everyone shares the Earth equally and religion
doesn't exist so there is no controversy between people. He
acknowledges the fact that many people believe a world like this
could never exist, but he then says he is not the only one who
believes it is possible. Once more people start truly believing in
Lennon's words, the world will live as one.
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