Time and time again, anti-war songs have cemented their place in history. Here are three anti-war rock anthems that feel like a peek into the past.
“Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
This song by Creedence Clearwater Revival is both about the Vietnam War and classism.
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In 2020, CCR vocalist John Fogerty took to social media to explain the backstory of this song. This followed President Trump using “Fortunate Son” at some of his rallies. Fogerty himself was a military veteran. He wrote this song from the perspective of young people who were being drafted into the Vietnam War.
“Back in those days we still had a draft, and something I was very upset about was that people of privilege—in other words, rich people or people that had a position-could use that to avoid the draft. I found that very upsetting, and that’s why I wrote ‘Fortunate Son’,” he shared.
“Zombie” by The Cranberries
From the late 60s through the late 90s, the status of Northern Ireland was fought over between Ireland and the UK, which resulted in a series of violent conflicts. This period also led to the creation of “Zombie”, believe it or not.
In Warrington, Cheshire, in 1993, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) initiated a bombing attack, which resulted in the deaths of two children. The Cranberries’ lead singer, Dolores O’Riordan, wrote this song with those children in mind.
“There were a lot of bombs going off in London and I remember this one time a child was killed when a bomb was put in a rubbish bin,” O’Riordan explained to Songwriting Magazine. “That’s why there’s that line in the song, ‘A child is slowly taken’. [ … ] We were on a tour bus and I was near the location where it happened, so it really struck me hard…”
“One” by Metallica
This song was inspired by the anti-war book Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo. The book is about a WWI soldier who wakes up in a hospital without his arms, legs, or face. The song follows a similar plot, all the while demonstrating the ugly consequences of war.
“I can’t remember anything / Can’t tell if this is true or a dream / Deep down inside, I feel the scream / This terrible silence stops me.”
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(Original Caption) A singer called Joni. Joni Mitchell, Canadian singer-songwriter, United Kingdom, 1968. The guitar-pickin' gal is Joni Mitchell, a long blonde haired Canadian folk singer. Pictured last night outside the Revolution club, Joni is here (until 1st October) for radio, television and concert appearances. Apart from concert appearances, 25 year old Joni will be heard on "Top Gear" on Radio One and "The Monday Show" on BBC 1. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) -
English rock band the Beatles arrive at London Airport from the USA, with their manager Brian Epstein (1934 – 1967, in coach doorway), 2nd September 1965. From left to right, John Lennon (1940 – 1980), George Harrison (1943 – 2001), Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. (Photo by George Stroud/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
George Jones, who released several country songs about whiskey -
Elvis Presley and Scotty Moore (left) performing on The Milton Berle Show at NBC's Hollywood studio, Los Angeles, California, 5th June 1956. Presley performed 'I Want You, I Need You, I Love You' and 'Hound Dog'. Press reaction to his performance was largely negative with his gyrating movements during 'Hound Dog' proving particularly controversial. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) -
Singer and musician Merle Haggard performs at the Poplar Creek Music Theater, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, August 16, 1983. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) -
John Rzeznik of Goo Goo Dolls at event, New York, 1990s. (Photo by Steve Eichner/Getty Images) -
Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images -
Pop group The Byrds (l to r): Chris Hillman; Dave Crosby; Mike Clark; Jim McGuinn; and Gene Clark. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)