Civil Rights Movement -Virginia Byrd

CIVIL RIGHTS & THE 1960'S
By: Virginia Byrd

The Civil Rights Movement and the 1960's music genre go hand in hand. There were multiple songs that influenced the movement of civil rights. Among those songs were incredible artists including: The Byrd's  Bob Dylan and others. I will mention a few along with song clips from the top ten protest songs of the 1960's.

"freedom songs that provided a stirring musical accompaniment to the campaign for racial justice and equality in the region." 

The 1960's was a powerful time in history where America became America. Holding hand in hand we fought for civil rights for racial justice and regional justice. There were many events, protests and other social activities such as Woodstock and the Freedom Riders that helped push these wants forward. As I stated before there are The top ten protest songs of the 1960's. These protest songs included: 

10. Turn! Turn! Turn!
9. Blowin' in the Wind
8. Universal Soldier
7. A Change is Gonna Come 
6. I Ain't Marching Anymore
5. The War Drags On
4. I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag
3. With God on Our Side
2. Masters of War
1. Give Peace a Chance

#10 Turn! Turn! Turn!

The words state that there is a time for everything, including peace. The folk rock band, The Byrds, enjoyed the most commercial success with their cover version in 1965.


#5 The War Drags On

This song was introduced in 1960 by Mick Softly. It tells the story of Dan, a soldier who is sent to Vietnam, and who has a nightmare about a nuclear war that ends the world.

#1 Give Peace a Chance 

John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band in 1969,had set up camp in a Montreal hotel, attended by the world’s media and celebrity visitors. Basic recording equipment was brought into their room for the session and there was a party atmosphere. The rousing chorus was echoed around the world and it became the most popular chant of the anti-Vietnam War movement. The sentiment is both clever and simple. How could anyone, logically, argue against it?


'"Ev'rybody's talkin' 'bout
Minister, Sinister, Banisters and Canisters,
Bishops, Fishops, Rabbis, and Pop Eyes, Bye bye, Bye byes
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance"

In this era people stood together to fight for peace and justice. Equality was key and this was a truly inspirational time in history.

Works Cited

Taylor Branch. The Civil Rights Movement. Gilder Lehrman. November 1, 2012. http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/civil-rights-movement

Absolute Lyrics. John Lennon Give Peace a Chance lyrics. Absolute Lyrics. November 12,2012. http://www.absolutelyrics.com/lyrics/view/john_lennon/give_peace_a_chance

Anne Iredale. March 11,2009. Top 10 protest songs from the 1960s. Toptenz. November 12,2012. http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-protest-songs-from-the-1960s.php