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- In November 1963, classical music was called on to help the nation deal with the emotional fallout in a more elemental way. It often is when tragedy leaves us without the words we need. And in JFK’s case, this was particularly apt, given his unprecedented opening of the White House to classical musicians and other artists.
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In November 1963, classical music was called on to help the nation deal with the emotional fallout in a more elemental way. It often is when tragedy leaves us without the words we need.
- The Byrds, “He Was a Friend of Mine” (1966): Bob Dylan cut a version of this traditional ballad for his first album (and didn’t end up including it). For their Turn!
- Phil Ochs, “Crucifixion” (1967): Coincidently, the first epic ballad about Kennedy came from Dylan’s friend and rival from the Greenwich Village folk days.
- Misfits, “Bullet” (1978): On one of their first recordings, Glenn Danzig and his early-punk bros didn’t mince words right from the start: “President’s bullet-ridden body in the street/Ride, Johnny ride/Kennedy’s shattered head hits concrete/Ride, Johnny ride.”
- Lou Reed, “The Day John Kennedy Died” (1982): Rarely did Reed let his guard down as much as he did on this thoughtful track from The Blue Mask. With his band playing and strumming respectfully behind him, Reed dreams of all the things he would do if he were the leader of the free world, which includes being able to forget that day in 1963.
Nov 20, 2013 · In remembrance of the sad day 50 years ago when John F. Kennedy was assasinated, here's a look at 10 songs from across the musical spectrum that invoke JFK's lasting memory. By Billboard Staff....
- The Byrds, “He Was a Friend of Mine” (1965) From: Turn! Turn! (No. 17 in March 1966) Key lines: “He was in Dallas town/ He was in Dallas town/ From a sixth-floor window, a gunner shot him down/ He died in Dallas town/ … Leader of a nation for such a precious time/ He was a friend of mine.”
- Dion, “Abraham, Martin and John” (1968) Hot 100 peak: No. 4 in December 1968. From: Dion (No. 128 in February 1969) Key lines: “Anybody here seen my old friend John?/
- The Rolling Stones, “Sympathy for the Devil” (1968) From: Beggars Banquet (No. 5 in January 1969) Key lines: “I shouted out/ ‘Who killed the Kennedys?’/ When after all/ It was you and me.”
- John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, ‘God’ (1970) From: John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (No. 6 in January 1971) Key lines: “I don’t believe in Kennedy…I don’t believe in Elvis/ I don’t believe in Zimmerman.
- Allison Rapp
- The Beach Boys, "The Warmth of the Sun" From: Shut Down Volume 2 (1964) Technically, there is no direct reference to JFK in the Beach Boys' "The Warmth of the Sun," but the melancholy track is centered on him regardless.
- Billy Joel, "We Didn't Start the Fire" From: Storm Front (1989) Billy Joel references 120 political, cultural or otherwise socially significant elements in "We Didn't Start the Fire," covering ground from 1948 to the year of the song's release, 1989.
- Bob Dylan, "I Shall Be Free" From: The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963) The first time Bob Dylan wrote specifically about JFK, the president was still very much alive.
- Bob Dylan, "Blind Willie McTell" From: The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961–1991 (1991) Two decades after Kennedy's death, Dylan hinted at the event in "Blind Willie McTell:" "I travel through east Texas / Where many martyrs fell."
Nov 21, 2013 · Facebook. Flipboard. Email. The orchestra was mid-performance when news of the president's assassination reached the symphony hall in 1963. The musicians had to decide: suspend the concert or...
Nov 22, 2013 · 6. Alexisonfire: “The Kennedy Curse” A track from their 2002 debut record. 7. Child Actor: “Dealey Plaza” The EP was called Second Shooter. The whole thing is a JFK assissination album that...
