What's Paul's best protest song?
-
Although usually associated with John, Paul has written quite a few (e.g, Give Ireland back to the Irish, Freedom, Big Boys Bickering, etc.). I'd have to go with Give Ireland Back to the Irish. Paul just rocks on the vocals, especially in the chorus.
-
I also vote for GIBTTI.
-
Can somebody help me with a quick history lesson? How is Macca's Ireland protest-song not the polar-opposite of his recent stance on Scotland? Thanks.
-
Let It Be.
-
Looking For Changes is my favorite. But I also like GIBTTI, and Long Leather Coat.
-
I've always been a fan of Big Boys Bickering.
-
"Give Ireland back to the Irish" followed closely by his vigorously pro-animal songs on his album "Off the Ground" and also the beautiful song "Daytime Nighttime Suffering" with its feminist slant. "Mistress and Maid" from OTG also features a stirring pro-feminist message as subtext, was co-written by Elvis Costello, I think. "Blackbird" can be heard as a subtle, poetic peon to racial equality-- he said struggles for equality of the races in the states inspired that song, didn't he?
-
Sgt._Pepper:
I've always been a fan of Big Boys Bickering.
Agreed!
-
I Like Long Leather Coat
-
I don't think protest songs are Paul's strength and none of them are home runs. If I had to choose, I actually would pick "Looking For Changes," even though I utterly loathe PETA.
-
SusyLuvsPaul:
"Give Ireland back to the Irish" followed closely by his vigorously pro-animal songs on his album "Off the Ground" and also the beautiful song "Daytime Nighttime Suffering" with its feminist slant. "Mistress and Maid" from OTG also features a stirring pro-feminist message as subtext, was co-written by Elvis Costello, I think. "Blackbird" can be heard as a subtle, poetic peon to racial equality-- he said struggles for equality of the races in the states inspired that song, didn't he?
He said that, but I am not sure I believe him. And if the listener has to strain to hear the message, how much of protest is it, really?
-
Some of Paul's best songs are about animals.
-
RMartinez:
SusyLuvsPaul:
"Give Ireland back to the Irish" followed closely by his vigorously pro-animal songs on his album "Off the Ground" and also the beautiful song "Daytime Nighttime Suffering" with its feminist slant. "Mistress and Maid" from OTG also features a stirring pro-feminist message as subtext, was co-written by Elvis Costello, I think. "Blackbird" can be heard as a subtle, poetic peon to racial equality-- he said struggles for equality of the races in the states inspired that song, didn't he?
He said that, but I am not sure I believe him. And if the listener has to strain to hear the message, how much of protest is it, really?
It's strange that he's only been giving that explanation since about the 1990s, if I recall correctly, but it certainly does fit. I've always thought it made sense as a metaphor for anyone who's struggling to overcome something, and not just oppression. But in concert, Paul now drives his point home by repeating the "moment to be free" verse at the end instead of "moment to arise," as it was on the album.
-
I think "Give Ireland..." is his best protest song. Really rocks, and it's melodic. "Big Boys Bickering" I admire for its "moxie," shall we say, but the lyrics get a bit lazy for my taste. I find the lyrics of "Looking For Changes" a little awkward to be sung, but it does rock pretty nicely. Nice background vocals. "Long Leather Coat" is probably my second favorite, although I don't quite share the passion of the message. Clever, though, and it gets a good head of steam going. "Freedom"... well, he tried. I still love that scene in The Love We Make DVD where Paul is demonstrating that song to Eric Clapton backstage for the first time, and the look on Eric's face is priceless, kind of like, "Are you serious?" I actually like the chorus, though.
-
favoritething:
RMartinez:
SusyLuvsPaul:
"Give Ireland back to the Irish" followed closely by his vigorously pro-animal songs on his album "Off the Ground" and also the beautiful song "Daytime Nighttime Suffering" with its feminist slant. "Mistress and Maid" from OTG also features a stirring pro-feminist message as subtext, was co-written by Elvis Costello, I think. "Blackbird" can be heard as a subtle, poetic peon to racial equality-- he said struggles for equality of the races in the states inspired that song, didn't he?
He said that, but I am not sure I believe him. And if the listener has to strain to hear the message, how much of protest is it, really?
It's strange that he's only been giving that explanation since about the 1990s, if I recall correctly, but it certainly does fit. I've always thought it made sense as a metaphor for anyone who's struggling to overcome something, and not just oppression. But in concert, Paul now drives his point home by repeating the "moment to be free" verse at the end instead of "moment to arise," as it was on the album.
To me it will never fit, because it doesn't sound like a protest song. Give Peace a Chance? Yes. Overt. In your face. Give Ireland Back To The Irish? Yes. The title says it all. Blackbird, to me and my wife, is more about personal healing and freedom. Which makes it a very beautiful and powerful song. Which is what you said and I agree with you on that point. I just don't hear a protest song about civil rights when I listen to it. I think if the listener strains they may hear that!
-
Tug of War or Too Many People. I'd choose one of those.
-
audi:
Can somebody help me with a quick history lesson? How is Macca's Ireland protest-song not the polar-opposite of his recent stance on Scotland? Thanks.
Don't know for sure...bur maybe because there were British soldiers in Ireland killing people????
-
RMartinez:
favoritething:
RMartinez:
SusyLuvsPaul:
"Give Ireland back to the Irish" followed closely by his vigorously pro-animal songs on his album "Off the Ground" and also the beautiful song "Daytime Nighttime Suffering" with its feminist slant. "Mistress and Maid" from OTG also features a stirring pro-feminist message as subtext, was co-written by Elvis Costello, I think. "Blackbird" can be heard as a subtle, poetic peon to racial equality-- he said struggles for equality of the races in the states inspired that song, didn't he?
He said that, but I am not sure I believe him. And if the listener has to strain to hear the message, how much of protest is it, really?
It's strange that he's only been giving that explanation since about the 1990s, if I recall correctly, but it certainly does fit. I've always thought it made sense as a metaphor for anyone who's struggling to overcome something, and not just oppression. But in concert, Paul now drives his point home by repeating the "moment to be free" verse at the end instead of "moment to arise," as it was on the album.
To me it will never fit, because it doesn't sound like a protest song. Give Peace a Chance? Yes. Overt. In your face. Give Ireland Back To The Irish? Yes. The title says it all. Blackbird, to me and my wife, is more about personal healing and freedom. Which makes it a very beautiful and powerful song. Which is what you said and I agree with you on that point. I just don't hear a protest song about civil rights when I listen to it. I think if the listener strains they may hear that!
I agree with you that it seems inaccurate to call it a "protest song" per se. It would need to be a bit more direct, perhaps blaming whomever "broke the wings" and made the eyes sunken and took away the freedom. But I'm saying that his explanation of what it means to him does fit with the lyrics, at least. As far as I know, he hasn't actually called it a protest song himself. His exact quote, in translating the song's message, was: "Let me encourage you to keep trying, to keep your faith, there is hope."
-
favoritething:
RMartinez:
favoritething:
RMartinez:
SusyLuvsPaul:
"Give Ireland back to the Irish" followed closely by his vigorously pro-animal songs on his album "Off the Ground" and also the beautiful song "Daytime Nighttime Suffering" with its feminist slant. "Mistress and Maid" from OTG also features a stirring pro-feminist message as subtext, was co-written by Elvis Costello, I think. "Blackbird" can be heard as a subtle, poetic peon to racial equality-- he said struggles for equality of the races in the states inspired that song, didn't he?
He said that, but I am not sure I believe him. And if the listener has to strain to hear the message, how much of protest is it, really?
It's strange that he's only been giving that explanation since about the 1990s, if I recall correctly, but it certainly does fit. I've always thought it made sense as a metaphor for anyone who's struggling to overcome something, and not just oppression. But in concert, Paul now drives his point home by repeating the "moment to be free" verse at the end instead of "moment to arise," as it was on the album.
To me it will never fit, because it doesn't sound like a protest song. Give Peace a Chance? Yes. Overt. In your face. Give Ireland Back To The Irish? Yes. The title says it all. Blackbird, to me and my wife, is more about personal healing and freedom. Which makes it a very beautiful and powerful song. Which is what you said and I agree with you on that point. I just don't hear a protest song about civil rights when I listen to it. I think if the listener strains they may hear that!
I agree with you that it seems inaccurate to call it a "protest song" per se. It would need to be a bit more direct, perhaps blaming whomever "broke the wings" and made the eyes sunken and took away the freedom. But I'm saying that his explanation of what it means to him does fit with the lyrics, at least. As far as I know, he hasn't actually called it a protest song himself. His exact quote, in translating the song's message, was: "Let me encourage you to keep trying, to keep your faith, there is hope."
Yeah, true.
-
The song 'Wild Life' is 1 of Paul's hidden gems & 1 of his best protest songs. Great lyrics. Love the original video of the song.
