Suggested music to understand the Later Period of the Cold War

Use these suggestions as background to better understand the situation of Americans during
the period of the later Cold War. These selections are chosen for how that generation saw that
period. This music was published during a long period from around 1965 to 1991, so includes
many styles, and viewpoints in support and against world events. Artists found little to support
in the Cold War after 1965, so the music protests overtly or subtly. However, they do reveal
how the situation was perceived at the time and reactions of its participants. The selections
here do not include music specifically from the Korean and Vietnam Wars, which are included in
their own separate lists. Since copyright protections still stand on many pieces from this period
lyrics are presented where actual music is not available for free. All can be borrowed from a
library or down loaded for a fee.

Music 1965- 1991

- “So Long Mom, I’m Off to Drop the Bomb.” Written and sung by Tom Lehrer in 1965. That
Was the Year that Was, 3:11 min.
- Subtitled “A Song for World War III.” The satirist and Harvard Professor, Tom Lehrer,
forecasts that there won’t be time to write stirring marching songs for World War III, so he
writes one beforehand about nuclear war.

- “Back in the USSR.” Written by Paul McCartney and sung by the Beatles in 1968, 2:46 min.
- A parody by the legendary British rock group idolizing the Soviet Union, in response to
songs by the Beach boys and Chuck Berry’s “Back in the USA.”

-“Tie a Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Ole Oak Tree.” By Tony Orlando and Dawn in 1973, written
by Irwin Levine and Russell Brown, 3:15 min.
- This folk song about a couple’s reunion after one is released from prison, rallied the country
during the 444 day hostage taking of American embassy personnel in Iran in 1980, and has
become the hallmark song to remember American military personnel whenever they are
deployed to conflicts.

- “Ragged Old Flag.” Written and sung by Johnny Cash in 1974, 3:08 min.
- Country legend Johnny Cash records a compelling song about loving one’s country for what
it stands for, despite its mistakes —a difficult patriotic position to take after the Vietnam War.

- “Convoy.” By C. W. McCall, written by Louis Davis and Don Sears in 1975, 3:53 min.
- This song captures a more whimsical spirit of America covering the new citizen band radio
and its peculiar lingo used by cross-country truckers, and the freedom of the open roads.

- “Night Fever.” Written and sung by Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb in 1978, 3:31 min
- This is the song that made the genre of disco popular worldwide, and associated with the
1980s. It lists at number 33 on Billboards All Time Top 100.

- “Thriller.” By Michael Jackson, and written by Rod Templeton in 1982, 5:58 min.
- This is a wildly successful Funk Disco song by one of the most popular entertainers of all
time, It depicts a spoof of a 1950s-like horror show of dancing zombies. Listed as the
“Greatest Music Video” of all time by MTV in 2001. Vincent Price is narrator.

- “I am a Patriot.” Written and sung by Little Steven Van Zandt in 1983, 5:23 min.
 - A protest song that distinguishes between patriotism and nationalism. The prolog and song
uses objectionable language, but nonetheless delivers its message.

- “99 Red Balloons.” By Nena in 1984, written by Uwe Fahrenkrog, Carlo Karges, and Kevin
McAlea in, 3:49 min.
- A protest song originally about how a peaceful gesture of releasing 99 balloons gets
misinterpreted to become the start of a nuclear war. Shows the dark side of how the Cold
War was viewed by some in both Europe and the United States. The German version
reached #2 on the US Billboard Hits in 1984, the highest reached by a song in German.

-“We Didn’t Start the Fire.” Written and sung by Billy Joel in 1989, 4:49 min.
- Rock Star Billy Joel presents rapid fire review of over events during the Cold War in
sequential order, although has a rather negative perspective. The video parodies some of
the excesses in the United States for each of the periods covered. Reached #1 on Billboard.

Compiled in 2013 for the Silver Spring Veterans Memorial, PA. comments to bouchatc@hotmail.com