I don't see it as a liberal or conservative anthem, I see it as a song about political confusion of the youth in this time. Kids were growing up in a confusing and frustrating time, much like they are today, most of the baby boomers were born into traditional families who didn't necessarily see war in a negative light because its what saved them from the great depression, so by time it came to Vietnam many were apathetic or blatantly supported it. Then when the kids got to college they were thrust into this far left environment dominated by the Berkeley mentality. That clash of cultures was a tough thing for kids to handle in choosing what side to take. I think this song expresses that confusion well. The character in the song is torn between wanting to "change the world" and not being able to balance perspective, so they decide apathy is the best choice and leave it to the people who have taken a firm perspective. I could be totally wrong about this, but that's what I always got out of it.
@kingsburyrun You are totally wrong. I can tell you were not around at the time this song was written. It was a protest against the war for one thing. Us boomers were against it as it was dragging on for years. It was also the first time that the horrors of war were brought into your living room EFD. Pollution was just being discussed. UberRich were becoming richer as poor were becoming even poorer.
This is a 60's protest song.
@kingsburyrun You are totally wrong. I can tell you were not around at the time this song was written. It was a protest against the war for one thing. Us boomers were against it as it was dragging on for years. It was also the first time that the horrors of war were brought into your living room EFD. Pollution was just being discussed. UberRich were becoming richer as poor were becoming even poorer.
This is a 60's protest song.
I don't see it as a liberal or conservative anthem, I see it as a song about political confusion of the youth in this time. Kids were growing up in a confusing and frustrating time, much like they are today, most of the baby boomers were born into traditional families who didn't necessarily see war in a negative light because its what saved them from the great depression, so by time it came to Vietnam many were apathetic or blatantly supported it. Then when the kids got to college they were thrust into this far left environment dominated by the Berkeley mentality. That clash of cultures was a tough thing for kids to handle in choosing what side to take. I think this song expresses that confusion well. The character in the song is torn between wanting to "change the world" and not being able to balance perspective, so they decide apathy is the best choice and leave it to the people who have taken a firm perspective. I could be totally wrong about this, but that's what I always got out of it.
@kingsburyrun You are totally wrong. I can tell you were not around at the time this song was written. It was a protest against the war for one thing. Us boomers were against it as it was dragging on for years. It was also the first time that the horrors of war were brought into your living room EFD. Pollution was just being discussed. UberRich were becoming richer as poor were becoming even poorer.
This is a 60's protest song.
@kingsburyrun You are totally wrong. I can tell you were not around at the time this song was written. It was a protest against the war for one thing. Us boomers were against it as it was dragging on for years. It was also the first time that the horrors of war were brought into your living room EFD. Pollution was just being discussed. UberRich were becoming richer as poor were becoming even poorer.
This is a 60's protest song.