Wednesday, September 28, 2016
The Appeal to Pathos in "I Ain't Marching Anymore" by Phil Ochs
As an anti Vietnam War song, "I Ain't Marching Anymore", connects to the listeners emotions through imagery, music, rhythm, and lyrics. The song makes allusions to many different wars that Americans have fought in throughout history, such as the Battle of New Orleans and the two World Wars. Creating images of blood shed and allowing the reader to visualize death and feel empathy for the victims, the song continues to reinforce the disgust of war. Since this is a song, the music and lyrics play a huge role in how it is perceived. Listening to this song for the first time, it was very catchy and makes you want to sing along. In addition, the rhymes add to the smooth transitions and therefore, appeal towards the listener in a positive way. Similarly, the repetition of "But I ain't marching anymore", also supports and reinforces the anti war theme. Like most anti war songs, this song is aimed at a younger audience and has many lyrics that resonate well with a youthful audience. By saying, "It's always the old to lead us to the war, It's always the young to fall, Now look at all we've won with the saber and the gun, Tell me is it worth it all", it grabs the adolescence's attention and questions why he/she should be involved in these foreign affairs. Throughout the 1960s, many other artists played upon these techniques to promote their perspectives. An artist with a similar sound and message as Phil Ochs is Tim Hardin. His song, "Simple Song of Freedom" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uVcr7LIusc) also states the distaste for war. Songs and lyrics are very useful rhetoric devises especially when popularized in society.
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That's so interesting about how it's always the old that lead us into war and it's always the young that fall in war. I always thought that the elderly led wars because of their experience but when I read this lyric, my perspective instantly changed. The young are the ones that have to die in wars while the old sit back and lead them to die. This is a really awful truth and it is sad that young life (probably the most precious life) is the one most devastated. I am glad you chose this song because I've never heard it before and I enjoyed listening to it.
ReplyDeleteThe lyric is indeed very powerful due to the fact that it is trying to shed light on a fact that many of the young don't realize, and it is that they are fighting a war that they are not very involved in politically themselves. They are simply following commands rather than having their own opinion and they suffer due to this fact. This statement in a song is a very useful tool in reaching out to a younger audience and allowing for a change to be made or at least started.
ReplyDeleteI find it very odd how the music seems to contrast so blatantly with the message. The chord progression and rhythm is generally laid back and happy, yet the lyrics are downright depressing. Maybe Hardin felt he had to right a catchy tune in order to draw listeners in (and to get them to remember the song), but infuse a deep message in the lyrics in order to make the piece powerful?
ReplyDeleteThe appeals to pathos that you alludes to are particularly interesting and rile up people's emotions. It allows the audience and listeners to understand the pain that those in the Vietnam War have experienced. However, it is correct how at first listen, the song is catchy. Music is interesting to analyze because there are many different factors playing together to create e a feeling and a message. Music is also an universal language that do tends to appeal towards a younger audience rather than an older audience, especially due to the upbeat sounds.
ReplyDeleteIt is so interesting because it is always the young that must deal with the problems brought on by the older. The young lead the revolutions and the movements, the old have gone through it and either watch or fight back. The use of pathos in this really is strong in its nature as well.
ReplyDeleteIt is so interesting because it is always the young that must deal with the problems brought on by the older. The young lead the revolutions and the movements, the old have gone through it and either watch or fight back. The use of pathos in this really is strong in its nature as well.
ReplyDeleteIt is so interesting because it is always the young that must deal with the problems brought on by the older. The young lead the revolutions and the movements, the old have gone through it and either watch or fight back. The use of pathos in this really is strong in its nature as well.
ReplyDeleteMusic is perhaps one of the most effective ways to appeal to an audiences Pathos. The profound lyrics working in tandem, with the upbeat melody makes the song stay in the listeners mind so they can continue to reflect on the message. The contradicting elements of the happy sound and the tragic lyrics could also allude to the conflict of the war. I really liked the lyrics "Tell me is it worth it all" and how it's directly asking its audience the question, putting them on the spot. Its really powerful.
ReplyDelete