Bob Dylan’s “Blowing in the Wind”
To become one of the most powerful and richest countries globally, the United States had to pay a high price and put many human lives at risk. Millions of people are aware of this truth, but only a few individuals are ready to talk about it. Bob Dylan was one of those who was not afraid to share his opinion about ethical decision-making and the choices people needed to make in the 1960s. In his song “Blowing in the Wind,” Dylan asked several questions concerning good citizenship, trustworthiness, and responsibility. To remain ethically correct and fair, the singer wanted to know, “how many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man?” (“Blowing in the Wind”). He underlined the necessity of peace for society to live a happy life with dignity, using the metaphor of “a white dove” who “sleeps in the sand” (“Blowing in the Wind”). Finally, Dylan was ready to challenge the leaders and wondered, “how many ears must one man have” to “hear people cry” or “how many deaths will it take” to realize how “many people have died” (“Blowing in the Wind”). Although his work seemed to be too political, leading to the loss of his fans, Dylan did not protest or appeal to a rebellion because the answer “is blowing in the wind” (“Blowing in the Wind”). His purpose was to demonstrate that every decision a person made or every order a leader gave had its consequence, and it was no longer possible to neglect the evident truth. Addressing the historical perspective, Dylan reminded his listeners about the cruelty of human behaviors and the inevitability of battles for freedom and equality.
Barry McGuire’s “Eve of Destruction”
In 1965, Barry McGuire introduced “Eve of Destruction” and showed his attitude toward the decisions made by political leaders in the international arena. This song was not as neat and graceful as Dylan’s work, but its impact on the audience was tremendous. McGuire talked about “violence flaring, bullets loading” in the “Eastern world” and the role of a young American citizen who was not mature enough to vote but “old enough to kill” (“Barry McGuire – Eve of Destruction”). Ethical decisions presuppose honesty, fairness, and equality in human relationships. The singer did not find it necessary to stop the Vietnam War or the Cold War but warned about a coming nuclear war. He indented to show that “if the button is pushed, there’s no running away” because the whole world would be “in a grave” (“Barry McGuire – Eve of Destruction”). In addition to dangerous political decisions and a cruel historical background, McGuire discussed the worth of current decision-making and the ineffectiveness of legislation and marches. His major thought is that “human respect is disintegrating” and the “whole crazy world is just frustrating” (“Barry McGuire – Eve of Destruction”). The artist knew the risk of misunderstanding and judgment, but he could not keep silent anymore because people lived on the “eve of destruction” (“Barry McGuire – Eve of Destruction”). To maintain social order, the government created restrictions and regulations, which, in their turn, forbade sharing true emotions and feelings. McGuire represented ethical decision-making as the necessity to support freedom and equal relationships with no age or racial boundaries. Instead of twisting the truth or observing the events, it was high time to change the environment and do what was wanted, not ordered.
Phil Ochs’s “I Ain’t Marching Anymore”
The number of human deaths and lost lives bothered many young artists in the 1960s. Phil Ochs declared his statement about the importance of personal ethical decisions in his work, “I Ain’t Marching Anymore.” Ochs found it necessary to remind the listener about all the meaningful conflicts that shaped American history compared to other singers. His decision not to march was based on the outcomes of the Battle of New Orleans, the Battle of the Little Bighorn, the Mexican – American War, the Civil War, and World Wars I and II (“Phil Ochs ~ I Ain’t Marching Anymore”). When people participate in debates or military conflicts, they should rely on clear grounds and evidence to ensure their contributions are ethically approved. Ochs’s historical perspective proved that the growth of a young land was possible only when “the young blood started flowing” (“Phil Ochs ~ I Ain’t Marching Anymore”). He stated that what was “won with the saber and the gun” could not be compared to the loss of single young life (“Phil Ochs ~ I Ain’t Marching Anymore”). Talking about ethical decision-making, people have to appreciate equal conditions and opportunities. Ochs was not sure if the history of the United States was fair because “the old” continued leading while “the young” continued falling (“Phil Ochs ~ I Ain’t Marching Anymore”). His main principle was to establish justice and help young Americans to survive by saying “no” to the obligations to serve or march. Ochs’s ethic was strong because he wanted to achieve peace and equality if people began relying on their ideals and beliefs, not those imposed by the government. What was done in the past should teach today’s population to avoid mistakes and find better solutions. Instead, Ochs was concerned about people choosing the same path and putting future generations at new risks and losses.
Works Cited
“Barry McGuire – Eve of Destruction (1965).” YouTube, uploaded by Warmer Music Videos, 2017.
“Blowing in the Wind (Live On TV, March 1963).” YouTube, uploaded by Bob Dylan, 2012.
“Phil Ochs ~ I Ain’t Marching Anymore.” YouTube, uploaded by Jim Kindeheart, 2013.