The Times They Are a-Changin by Bob Dylan (1964) - Essay Example

“The Times They Are a-Changin” by Bob Dylan (1964) The song “The Times they are a-Changin” was written by Bob Dylan. The song was released in 1964 by Columbia record. The song comprised of several stories on the adjacent poverty in the society, the magnitude and side effects of racism as well as need for social change. The song also captured political and social upheaval that characterized the 1960’s. “The Times they are a-Changin.” song was among the universally known protest song at that particular historical time.

Bob Dylan composed the song with a single purpose of creating an anthem for radical change. The song protested against the existing political and social crisis by reflecting the generation gap and political division that existed in United States of America in the early 1960’s. Dylan in his song stated that, the big fish in United States of America did not value the wellbeing of small fishes. This meant that, the rich people and political elites in the country underrated the value and significant of poor people in the country.

In response, Dylan called for an instantaneous action to counter the vice. The title of the song was another factor that triggered protest against social and political evils. Therefore, by taking into account the popularity of the song in 1960s as well as its content, many scholars and political thinkers presumed the song to be a protest song. Dylan as a result received endless criticism from political and economically powerful social class. The song “The Times They Are a-Changin” therefore protested against the existing social inequality in United States of America and advocated for the need of radical transform (Sheriff 43) “If I Had a Hammer” Peter, by Paul and Mary (1963) The song “If I Had a Hammer” was released in 1963 by Peter Paul and Mary.

The song was as well commonly known as “the hammer song”. The “If I Had a Hammer” song was composed in 1949 but due to the prevailing political situation, the release of the song was delayed until 1963. The main aim of the song was to support the progressive movement in United States of America. The song first public performance took place in 1949 at a testimonial dinner of a Communist Party of United States of America leader. The United States of America Communist Party was in 1949 at the forefront in protesting against social injustice and inequality in United States of America.

The song composed of message that was against social and political inequality in the society. The song was on the other hand was used by protestors to communicate their message to the government and was especially incredibly popular at the time when communist party leaders were facing trial at federal court. The leaders were accused for attempting to overthrow the United States America government. The Song “If I Had a Hammer” therefore served as the voice of the poor and marginalized population in the society.

As a result, the song relied on its popularity and support from the communist leaders to protest against the prevailing social vices in United States of America. Work cited Sheriff David. A People & A Nation, Brief Ninth Edition. New York, NY: Cengage Learning. 2008. Print.