Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday: The 60's


I'm sitting here, eating a reinvented Twinkie and reminiscing about the times of my youth, thanks to Jen and Kristi, the hostesses of the Twisted Mix Tape Tuesday blog hop, and Troy (at "As Long As I'm Singing") who suggested today's topic.  The topic?  

List five seminal songs that made you who you are today.


(Thanks, Troy.  Just what I needed ... self analysis at my age.)

With a life spanning almost six decades, it is impossible to say what songs shaped me during all of my years.  


(It would be easier to blame that on the damn Twinkie!)

There has been music in my life as long as I remember.  As a child, I had the benefit of viewing the ED SULLIVAN SHOW every Sunday night.  Yes, I remember the first time the Beatles ever performed there, as well as the Rolling Stones, Dave Clark Five, Animals, Diana Ross & The Supremes, and so many others that laid the foundation of music today.


(Of course, the memories grow somewhat more dim as the years progressed 
and smoking Mother Nature's offerings improved my appreciation of the sounds 
coming from that black and white television.)

I have to remember the times ... the 60's.  I was old enough to understand, but yet, not understand why people of different color weren't treated as equals, why people I knew were dying in a war in Vietnam that made no sense, and how politicians fed the masses lies in hopes their minds wouldn't understand the truth.  We were a nation divided ... and rightfully so.  The ancients felt they could have it all as long as the masses were separated by hate and racism.  It was our duty to bring it all together with love.  (The Woodstock Music and Arts Fair tried to do exactly that!) The Youngbloods said it best:


Our parents just couldn't understand.  They had never questioned the government, but instead, had accepted what was told them as cardinal truths and allowed themselves to be herded like cattle.  We were refusing to follow the laws and social paths they had been a part of.  We were revolting against all the "Establishment" had to offer.  Anti-materialistic, social restrictions in demonstration of love, relationships, and even our odd  clothing styles and hair length became our way of saying, "We're different than you and not going to allow ourselves to fall into the herd."  

In a way, Steppenwolf's song, "Born to be Wild" wasn't just a song about a biker going across the country.  It became a statement of how we were different, stronger, and loving the fact that everyone was unique in themselves ... not needing to be like the previous generations.


(I know, years later, we've all become amazingly like our parents.)

Or, have we?  Where my parents might have collected dishes, tools or savings bonds, many of us have vast music, movie and/or comic book collections.  Where they took the road of "having to brag", we've taken the road of "having to enjoy."  I guess the philosophy of "Live For Today" and "Today Is The First Day Of The Rest Of Your Life" did sink in deeper than we envisioned, after all.

Amid the atrocities we were revealing, there was a unity among the "long hairs."  In fact, there was really a feeling of trust and belonging that held true.  Even when "the man" used this against us (such as record promoters, military recruiters, and Charles Manson), we still held together.  It was a pact of the young to lend each other a helping hand when in need.  To stand together against the evils of the day.  And, to lend support even when relationships failed.  Carole King's "You've Got A Friend" was an anthem for us.


My constant battle against today's "Political Correct" society stems from this time.  As our society seems to want to return to the concept of locking you into a mode of accepted behavior, we fought against the accepted behavior of the day.  We knew that each one of us had something to say, to do, to experience, and there should be no social restrictions that kept this from occurring.  

Oh, we were still polite, for the most part, and understood that there were considerations of others that needed to be followed.  But, we also believed that the more we followed the path, the more likely were were to become cattle, herded without thought, to serve whatever purpose the government desired.  Freedom was our goal ... and still is in today's world of "HUGE GOVERNMENT."  Let man rule themselves, and let industry and government serve their needs, instead of us serving theirs.  The Rascals helped us to comprehend with this song.

But, times change, greed meets new acquaintances, and government becomes even stronger than before.  People become stupid and start believing in the politicians words again.  Big business brings society to its knees as individual debt rises, wages decrease, labor unions are made illegal by state governments, and political correctness becomes the way of the world.
(Sometimes people fail to see and hear 
even though they haven't lost their eyes and ears.)

There are still some of us fighting the battle, but we are dying out.  We still want people to be free, equal, and happy.  We deny the fact that we are becoming a "Big Brother" society and hope and pray that we get it together before it's too late.  We're not the prophets of doom.  Rather, we want to be the voices that bring about freedom, love and equality.  

Regardless of Don McLean's "American Pie", the music hasn't died.  It's still deep within us.  No, not today's bullshit POP music that doesn't carry a message worth listening to.  Instead, an internal beat that continues to say, "We can make it if we try.  It's not too late, baby, the time is today.  We have to teach our children, do away with the ball of confusion, and keep alive the freebird inside of each of us."  

As long as music's alive within, we have a chance!


Don't ever let it die!



Oh, would you like a Twinkie??

18 comments:

  1. Rich, the 60's were a time of social change...and oh yes, change can be hard to get used to! Oh, I'm with you on the whole list. I'm a 80s - 90s baby, but was raised on these! Can relate!

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    1. Michelle, my dear friend, so good of you to visit! The 60's may have started this whole mess, but, like a boomerang, the government makes a comeback and the people grow even more stupid. i don't dislike change, I dislike stupidity and incompetency. The PC movement is stupid in every way. If people used common sense and accepted personal accountability, the movement would fall on its butt before you could say "no child gets ahead!" :) Thanks so much for commenting!

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  2. I love the threads you wove between your songs, tying them all together and showing us what composes "you".

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    1. Dream - Really good of to to stop back in! I'm glad my fill-in's made sense. I knew what they meant to me, but didn't know if I could really make them clear enough for others to feel as we did, and to see how we were affected by them. I made the vow back then that music was my life. Funny, in one way or another, it has been. Many Thanks!

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  3. I want people to be free, equal and happy. So much. Loved how you did this. American Pie is one of the first songs that I ever loved. I'm so happy that it's here on your list. You're right. It's not too late. It can't be.
    And yes, please. I want a Twinkie. Maybe even two.

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    1. Kristi, welcome back my sister from another mother! I worry, at times, about equality. It seems as though that as soon as strides forward are made, a superiority fault enters the picture. All want to be atop the heap, instead of allowing and equal blend of beauty throughout. American Pie was really the antithesis of what made us, back then, but I can still recite all the words without the record. (So, why in the hell can't I remember where I put my wallet!!!???) Stop by anytime for your Twinkie! Many Thanks!

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  4. Can I just say, that was about the most enlightening description of "Born To Be Wild," that I have ever heard? This post id A++!

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    1. Troy, so good of you to visit again! This was a good idea, but hard to do in only one post for one so damn old! lol Born To Be Wild was an anthem in a way ... a statement of the times. Steppenwolf was really more than just songs. America, Suicide, Don't Step On The Grass Sam, and even The Pusher were all stories of the times, be they good or bad. They told of a lifestyle and of principles some decided to follow. Whether one approves or not, they were one of the best bands in this area, at least, in my humble opinion. It's funny what one can hear when they go back and listen to their music with this in mind. Many Thanks!

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  5. good post.
    my timeline is pretty much the same, the musical events I can relate to, the effects of the music I can also bear witness to, the celebration, the optimism the (eventual) pessimism.
    Helluva an era of music back then, no? I was searching albums for mid 60s to the early 70s (for a different project...a time travel story that I wish I had the chops for), and was astounded at the sheer volume of new material from the artists of the day.

    I suspect every generation thinks of their own as being somehow superior to subsequent generation's, and while I will not go that far, I will say that I am glad that I grew up at the time I did (and survived...lol).
    I got to see Jimi Hendrix twice (unfortunately, the part of that story that gets the most reaction is when I say, 'and the tickets were $3.50 and $4.50.) lol

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    1. Clark, my very loyal friend, thank you so much for coming by today! The music of those days was indeed fantastic. What I admire most about it was that so much was said in so many different ways. True, there were the Bubble Gum pop crap, but it didn't rule the airwaves as it does today. I'm going broke going back and finding albums to download on Amazon.com. I've added over 200 in the last three months alone. Honestly, I can't listen to it all as every day seems to provide another offering. I don't know that our generation was superior, but we weren't afraid to stand up for ourselves. Today, they seem to forget about reality and live in the fantasy world created by technology. The nonchalant attitude may be the end of freedom if they're not careful. I remember ticket prices like that. I once went to a seven hour concert, and the ticket price was $7 each. Yes, I miss those prices for sure! lol Many Thanks!

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  6. I would like a Ho Ho please. And AMEN brother! It's funny but you do sound just like my husband who was from your - I'm going to say it - generation. The thing is you are right just as he is, and a few of us youngins get it. That's why he and I clicked. It's amazing what the government is getting away with and what we will tolerate. It's amazing the blind eye everyone is willing to turn. It's actually more than amazing it's frightening. And what's more is once upon a time the peoples voice demanded to be heard through song. Now it's demanding money.

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    1. Jen - Why do I feel like I've known you forever? :) Man, I remembered Ding Dongs, but I had completely forgotten about Ho Ho's! lol I can't believe how today's society is so naive in believing what politicians tell them. There's so much bullshit being passed out, there's fertilizer enough for everyone to have a glowing garden! I fear for the youth of today for the way the future is shaping up. Many of the freedoms we fought for have already been cast aside, and there's so many more on the chopping block. It is indeed frightening. Perhaps, when we're gone, younger voices, such as yours, can help the message stay alive. Many Thanks!

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  7. While I think everything generation tries to define themselves and not be like the previous generation - I think the children of the 60s continue to stand out - so thank you for insight on that experience. I grew up listening to many of the songs on your list (although, admittedly, some of them may have been on soundtracks) . That said, enjoyed the mix - so thanks!

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    1. Louise - It's good of you to stop in today! I agree, all try to be different in some way. Still, the 60's was about changing values, belief systems, and social mores that had been in existence for decades. The battle for civil rights found new ears among the youth of the day, especially when they were already ticked off about Vietnam. To believe that the government was working for the people, while all the time maintaining color barriers and sending off youngsters to die so that industry could benefit (as has been proven) not only showed how government didn't care about the people, but also how little they thought about mankind in general. One could only look to Washington and say, "How damn dumb do you think we are?" They were trying times, to say the least. Glad you enjoyed the mix! Many Thanks!

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  8. Carol King!! I remember growing up listening to Tapestry. My sister had the album and played it a lot. What a great album and she is an amazing song writer.

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    1. Linda - Really good to see you! Tapestry was a classic album. Every song is a masterpiece. In fact, I cannot honestly think of another album that deserves the praise this one has received. Her follow up album was good, but when you hit perfection, it's hard to duplicate it a second time. (That's why my parents only had one kid!) lol Many Thanks!

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  9. I love your list. Though I was born in 76' I relate to all of the Woodstock era songs. I've often wondered if I was born in the wrong era. I've also been feeling a lot lately about the way things are today. Woodstock was a movement and a time for people to scream 'We don't want this!!' for our country. I recently done a post on Facebook that ask a simple question: America was outraged over Nixon, outraged even at Clinton's non-inhaling pot theory and the famous blue dress of Monica. Where is the outrage now that we are being forced to buy into Obamacare and other asinine bills that get passed? People can say they are mad, but I would gladly join a protest against how the government is handling our lives. Growing up in the 80's, and high school in the 90's, I have seen changes. Some are wonderful, some are scary. We've come from Atari games to touch screen phones that can pay our bills. I read with my children, follow what they're doing in school, because with all the text abbreviations, I want to make sure my daughters know how to spell 'laughing out loud' instead of lol. I know America has been divided and had trouble before, such as the Civil War,to Vietnam, the Great Depression, the Cold War.............. somehow these days feel different. Almost as if the people of America have decided to roll over and let what happens, happen. Sorry to vent on your post. You just made valid points. Music seems to be the one universal thing that brings people together.

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    1. Donetta - Such an early riser! Here I am, working late on a blog for Friday, and what should appear but a fantastic comment from you. I'm afraid American society has reached their plateau of complacency. As long as there's not a storm trooper at the door (yet), they're perfectly content to go on as if nothing was occurring. I think many that read of the 60's, and feel as if they should have been a part of them, actually have some common sense ... which seems to be an oddity in itself these days. When something's not right, and you know it's not right, it's time to do something about it. What's so frustrating to me is that there is no real movement dedicated to bringing America back to the freedoms it once knew. International trade agreements sent factories running out of the country, lowering the wages of those that remained. The Patriot Act took away so many freedoms concerning search and seizure and privacy, we're still reeling from it. And, even now, politicians, that don't do their job, still collect pay when others suffer!!!! It's crazy, to say the least. Americans are rolling over and playing dead. It's almost as though there's an "I can't do anything about it so why try" attitude reigning supreme. Instead of the land of the free and the home of the brave, we've become the land of the sheep and the home of the meek. Music in mass protest content might help right now, but only if we could get people listening to it. Of course, music producers probably won't allow that to happen until the first protest song makes one of them a million dollars. Then, they'll all jump on the bandwagon. Thanks for the great comment!

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