We analyzed 8 war-related songs in class. Choose 2 of these songs to discuss in an edited, proofread comment to this post. Consider: 1. the historical and political context of the songs; 2. the point of view of each artist as reflected by the content; 3. the artists' use of figurative language; 4. the poetic qualities of the lyrics.
18 comments:
I liked your quote from Oscar Wilde. You know, coincidentally, Oscar Wilde wrote The Importance of Being Earnest! And did you know that the NHS Drama Club will be performing that play this Friday and Saturday at 7? I mean, if you like that quote, then you have to enjoy the play because it's full of intelligent Wilde quotes.
The two songs that I chose are Bob Dylan's "Master of War" and "Goodnight Saigon" by Billy Joel. Billy Joel incorporates historical content into his song when mentioning "Parris Island." Dylan, on the other hand, has no specific historical references but alludes to gerneral fighting, wars, and death. The points of view vary greatly between the two songs. Dylan's point of view is extremely narrow as his lyrics strongly reflect his hatred toward "masters of war": "I hope that you die/And your death'll come soon". Billy Joels point of view is more broad and realistic. He clearly shows sympathy towards soldiers but never fully supports or rejects the war; he lets the listeners judge and decide for himself. To get his point across, Bob Dylan approaches the subject of war by directly talking to one person, who could also represent all the masters of war. He tells them that they have made a horrible mistake and they will eventually pay for it. In contrast, Billy Joel uses imagery to describe several war scenes. He makes the listener feel like they are actually a soldier in the midst of war, feeling what any other soldier in that situation would be feeling. In comparison, both artists sing about war. Neither song fully supports war; it is simply the amount of disapproval that each singer demonstrates toward war that differentiates the two songs.
The songs "Us and Them" by Pink Floyd and "Goodnight Saigon" by Billy Joel both discuss the topic of war in very different ways. In Joel's "Saigon", they discuss the Vietnam war, however they add a sense of unity to the war theme. As he sings, he is almost thinking back on the war and how all the men he was there with were his brothers. The chorus is when this is most noticable, "and we would all go down together..." These thoughts were kind of profound because not many people wanted to talk about the Vietnam war after we lost, yet Joel was able to make it a little happier in a way. With Pink Floyd's "Us and Them", the same sense of unity was shown, but it also gave a sense of seperation. Like Joel, Pink Floyd shows that the people in war are "ordinary men". They also discuss a war that was'nt won, and they show it in a variety of different ways using the hyperbole.
Although Pink Floyd's song is not as controversial as Joel's, it still shows a very unique omnicient point of view.
Many artists, during times of need in their country, write songs and create beautiful music to better the situations. Their job as artists is to create powerful, moving music. That is what Billy Joel and Creedence Clearwater Revival do best. Billy Joel’s “Goodnight Saigon” and C.C.R’s “Fortunate Son” are both influential pieces of music about the Vietnam War. “Goodnight Saigon” was written in 1982, even though it was not written during the time of the war it still clearly depicts what was going on in our country. “Fortunate Son” was written in 1969, while the Vietnam War was still a huge deal for every citizen. C.C.R’s is primarily about the “rich kids” who can pay their way out of war, while everyone else has to go, “I ain’t no millionaire’s son, no, no.” Joel’s is an overall overview of what happened throughout the war, “we held the coastline/they held the highland/and they were sharp”.
The point of view, in both songs is considerably different from the other. Joel takes on a first person point of view; a view of a soldier, who was there experiencing it all: “they sent us playboy/they gave us Bob Hope/we dug in deep/and shot on sight.” C.C.R’s point of view is mainly that of a young man, being forced to go to war, with no way out of it; “some folks are born silver spoon in hand/Lord, don’t they help themselves? Oh.” “Fortunate Son” goes on to say how some men grow up ready to fight, “some folks inherit star spangled eyes,” but he didn’t. The speaker in “Fortunate Son” clearly does not want to go to war, because he does not agree with it, he “ain’t no senator’s son” and has no choice but to go. Many people did not agree with the Vietnam War, but had to fight just like everyone else. In “Goodnigh Saigon” it is more of a reflective song, like a stream of consciousness, going from the beginning of his war story, until its end, “we came in spastic/like tameless horses/we left in plastic/numbered corpses.” The speaker is insightful when he remembers his fallen comrades as well: “remember Charlie? /remember Baker? /they left their childhood.” Overall both points of view are extremely effective.
Both Joel and C.C.R use many poetic terms in their song writing. C.C.R use point of view, as well as many metaphors. “I ain’t no military son” is a metaphor. They also use alliteration, when they say, “star spangled eyes.” C.C.R’s diction is also that of a southern man mostly, using the word “ain’t” and “folks” in many of the lines creates the southern picture. Speaking of pictures, they also use a lot of imagery, such as, “some folks are born silver spoon in hand.” Joel also uses figurative language as well as poetic devices. Mainly he uses allusions, hyperboles, similes, and imagery. The song is clearly about Vietnam, he alludes to D-Day in the lines, “we held the coastline/ they held the highland.” He also uses a hyperbole to better enhance his song, “we held the day/ in the palm of our hands.” An example of a simile he uses is, “and we were sharp/ as sharp as knives.” Overall, Joel’s song is similar to an ongoing narrative of the speaker’s journey as a soldier. Both Billy Joel and Creedence Clearwater Revival were and still are very influential in song writing. Their largest contributions are the songs in which represent our country’s times of struggle and success.
Bob Dylan and Billy Joel are both renound musicians with their own unique sounds. The songs "Masters of War" and "Goodnight Saigon" are both concnered with war and violence. While Dylan's "Masters of War" seems to reflect on the negative sides of war in general, Joel personifies a Vietnam soldier in "Goodnight Saigon". He shows listeners the effects of war on its soldiers rather than depicting the effects of war on citizens, as Dylan does with his song. Both songs effectively use imagery and tone to reach their message across to listeners.
"Masters of War" is not necessarily directed toward a specific war. It is probable that Dylan wanted to make the song applicable to most wars. As the song progresses, however, Dylan directs these "masters", or the government officials who declare war, and lyrically attacks them. He questions their morals: "Let me ask you one question/Is your money that good?/Will it buy you forgiveness?/Do you think that it could". He says their actions are unforgiveable and "Jesus would never forgive what you do". He builds up these "masters", making them monsters and heartless people who "lie and deceive". Billy Joel, in contrast, shows us a different aspect of the multi-sided violence. He acts as a eye into the emotions of a soldier: "We dug in deep/We shot on sight/We prayed to Jesus/With all our might". From these words, listeners understand the terrible situation soldiers are in during war. While Dylan clearly shows his negative attitude towards war, Joel allows us to see humanity in the soldiers of wars.
1.'Right in Two' by Tool
Tool is an all-American band that originated from Los Angeles, California. Tool consists of the members; vocalist Maynard ‘James’ Keenan, guitarist Adam Jones, bassist Justin Chancellor, and the drummer Danny Carey. Together they have sold over 20 million records world-wide. Many of their songs relate to war, battle, and religious consent. One of them being, ‘Right in Two’.
The song 'Right in Two' by Tool is probably referring to the current war in Iraq or just war in general because the lyrics are in a universal point of view, and the lyrics are so simple as to war. The point of view is third limited, in this situation it is the angels ‘on the side line’ (line one), or looking down upon the humans fighting over ‘pieces of ground’, (lines 14-15). Tool uses a very distinct way of language, almost one of their own. They have a way of making the listener picture scenes that are very dark and eerie. In particular this song has many uses of imagery. For example in lines 10-15, “Angels on the sideline, baffled and confused, Father blessed them all with reason, and this is what they choose, monkey killing monkey killing monkey over pieces of ground”. Tool also has many uses of irony. As an example, in lines 23&24 its sites, “Give them thumbs, they make a club to beat their brother down”. It may be a very strange way of criticism and scoff over war, but it is also very powerful and gets one to think and see it in the band’s eyes’.
All-in-all ‘Right in Two’, by Tool is a very good song in reference to war. Needless to say that war is not good at all, and Tool backs up this statement through out the entire song. It captures the listener and gets them hooked on their beat, and creative way of diction to get the listener to think deeply about how pointless war is, it just gets us all no where.
2. ‘War’ by Bob Marley
Bob Marley was born in the small village of Nine Mile in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. His original name was actually Nesta Robert Marley. But later on in his life a Jamaican passport offical allowed Marley to swap his middle name to his first. In 1962, Marley recorded his first two singles, "Judge Not" and "One Cup of Coffee", with local music producer Leslie Kong. He was known to many people as a singer, a songwriter, and a musician. He was associated with the band ‘The Upsetters’, he was a memer of ‘The Wailers’ and was the band leader of the ‘Wailers Band’. He lived a very active and musical life, he not only was in Reggae genra, but also some of his songs were in ‘Ska’ and ‘Rocksteady’. He died when he was only 36, on May Eleventh, 1981, in Miami, Florida.
One of Marleys songs ‘War’, was refurring to obviously war, but specifically it refers to civil wars in Africa. For example, in lines 1-10, it says, “Until the philosophy which hold one race superior, And another, Inferior, Is finally, And permanently, Discredited, And abandoned, Everywhere is war-, Me say war.”. This is an example that shows that it is indeed a civil war, because it says that there is a argument over races superior to others. In addition to that, in lines 30-38, it states, “And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes that hold our brothers in Angola, In Mozambique, South Africa, Sub-human bondage, Have been troppled, Utterly destroyed-, Well, everywhere is war-, Me say war.”. Marley is naming off the different countries that are going through civil war in Africa, at the time that he wrote the song. Lastly to back this up it states in lines 39-50, “War in the east, War in the west, War in the north, War down south -, War- war-, Rumors of war, And until that day, The African continent, Will not know peace, We Africans will fight – we find necessary -, And we know we shall win, As we are confident.”.
In conclusion, Bob Marley’s ‘war’ also shows the irresponsabilities and hate of war. Just because the difference of skin tone we have to make a stand and fight over it? Personally I believe that it is ridiculous. We are all one, no matter what color, and war as Bob says will fail, “Good over evil-”, line 51.
Bob Dylan's "Masters of War" and Billy Joel's "Goodnight Saigon" are both war-based songs, each offering its own perspective on the matter. Dylan's song is told from a strictly anti-war view, in which Dylan brings to light all of the negative consequences of war, while Joel reflects on the hardships of war from the perspective of a soldier in Vietnam. Both songs effectively illustrate their points through their tones and the imagery the lyrics create.
In "Masters of War", Bob Dylan speaks angrily through his lyrics, aiming his resentment at the government and military officials behind the operation of wars: "You that never done nothin'/But build and destroy". He implies that they are cowardly: "You put a gun in my hand/And you hide from my eyes/And you turn and run farther/When the fast bullets fly". Dylan tells these "masters" that "Jesus would never forgive" what they do, and he wishes them dead. The song is very confrontational and single-minded, in that Dylan strongly and openly expresses his opposition of war.
Billy Joel, on the other hand, offers a more humanized aspect of war as he tells the struggles of the Vietnam soldiers. "And it was dark/So dark at night/And we held onto each other/Like brother to brother/We promised our mothers we'd write". The fear these soldiers went through, as well as the lives they were leaving behind, are all brought into light. The bonds they formed while fighting together are also emphasized: "And we would all go down together". The song, compared to Dylan's, sparks much more sympathy and depicts the soldiers as human beings by portraying their emotional struggle through the war.
In "Right In Two" By TOOL, he has a very interesting point of view. The way he words it makes it hard to explain how to get it across. It's almost as if he's not human, like he's above everyone: "Why did Father give these humans free will?". He acts as if we've abused our gifts, such as thumbs. "Give them thumbs, they forge a blade." and "Give them thumbs, they make a club to beat their brother down.". It's like we only use our advantages for evil.
However, in "Dear, Mr. President" by: The Rustic Overtones, the vibe is much more realistic. The format is as if he's a soldier at war "Dear Mr. President, I’m a soldier with the 82nd Airborne stationed overseas." He is against the war, but in a different way from TOOL. "How am I a hero if I don’t know what it’s for? ", he's more collected and confused, more then angry.
In both the songs, they're anti-war. TOOL is just a bit more harsh about it. "When will be the end of this all?" The Rustic Overtones sing, while TOOL says "Angels on the sideline, again. wondering where this tug of war will end." They both want the war to be done with. They're sick of fighting for something they don't believe in, "Father blessed them all with reason, and this is what they choose."(-TOOL). "Before the war, life it was beautiful, we marched out in the sun."(-The Rustic Overtones). They both share the idea of war being unnecessary, they have different views and ways of explaining it, however.
The 2 songs i chose were "War" by Bob Marley, and "Fortunate Son" by CCR. These two Artists look at war very differently. Bob Marey thinks to keep independance war is necessay. CCR thinks it is unecessary.
Bob Marley does think war can be evil but it is also good. "Good over Evil, Good over evil yeah!" He is sacraficing the evils of war to keep his counrty the way he likes it war needs to happen."We Africans will fight we find it necessary." CCR hates war. He hates when the soldiers are pround and "fortunate." He thinks they were brainwashed and they are thining things that are totally false. He says,"It ain't me,it ain't me,I ain't no senators son, it ain't me, ain't me, i ain't no unfortunate one No." He will not fall for it he hates war and it will not happen to him.
Comparison War Songs Essay:
Musicians often compose songs that pertain to something momentous in their own life, or in the world. Many artists write songs pertaining to war. Bob Dylan’s 'Masters of War' and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s 'Fortunate Son', both are war songs which have many similarities. For instance, both songs are pertaining to the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War began in 1954 and lasted until 1975. It began due to a conflict in which the Communist forces of North Vietnam, and guerrillas in South Vietnam, fought against the non-Communist forces of South Vietnam and the United States. The end result was a Communist victory. In 'Masters of War', it is criticizing how the government officials would send thousands of young men to war, as they sat in their fancy mansions and lived a good live, while others died for their country. Like 'Masters of War', 'Fortunate Son' is also antiwar. The song pertains to how a young man is being forced to go to war, but does not want. Another similarity between 'Masters of War' and 'Fortunate Son' is that they are both written in first person. For example, in 'Masters of War' Dylan states, “I just want you to know, I can see through your masks” (7-8). 'Fortunate Son' illustrates that it is in first person when they declare, “It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no senator’s son, it ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no fortunate one, no” (5-8). Both Bob Dylan and Creedence Clearwater Revival incorporate figurative language into their compositions. For example, in 'Masters of War' he states, “You play with my world, like it’s your little toy” (11-12). Alluding to how the government officials do whatever they want, and don’t really pay any attention to it, because it is a ‘game’, and that it doesn’t matter because they aren’t getting hurt. This is figurative language because no body can actually play with the world like it is a toy. Not only is it figurative language, but also a simile because it is comparing the world to a little toy by using the word like. Figurative language is illustrated in 'Fortunate Son' when Creedence Clearwater Revival states, “Some folks are born silver spoon in hand” (9). Pertaining to how some people are born independent people, not wanting or needing help form anyone. No body, however, is really born with a silver spoon in their hand which is why it is figurative language. In conclusion, both Bob Dylan’s 'Masters of War' and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s 'Fortunate Son' have many similarities, as do many other antiwar songs of this time.
- Laura Ready
Two songs that have to do with war and have other pieces in common are Bob Dylan's "Masters Of War" and "Right in Two" by Tool.These two songs both have poetic terms and feelings about the fighting that are the same when mentioning war.
Both Bob Dylans "Masters of War" and "Right in Two" by Tool have some of the same poetic terms.The most common term used in both of thesongs though is imagery.Such as in Bob Dylans song when he says "As young peoples blood,Flowsout of their bodies,And is buried in the mud".Tools part with imagery would be when the song says "Angels on the sideline,Puzzled and amused".The two songs use good use of words in the lyrics to paint an image in your mind.
In "Masters of War" and "Right in Two" they both describe their feelings of war.Both feelings are the same but are described in different ways and views.Such as in Bob Dylan's song he disagrees with the war and has a hate for those who make the weapons for these people to use in it.He makes this clear by saying "And I hope that you die,and your death'll come soon".This song also talks about the politicians that declare war."Masters of War" is a song that shows Bob Dylan's strong negative feelings against what is happening in the wars."Right in Two" is also a song that shows negative feelings towards the war.But in this case Tool describes their feelings by talking about those who fight in the war.They use the term "silly monkeys" to talk about them/us."Monkey killing monkey killing monkey over pieces of the ground" is another set of lyrics that is used in this song to help make it clear how they feel about the war,and makes it known that they think war is ridiculous.Both of these songs express the same feelings about war but show it in different ways.
To conclude both "Right in Two" by Tool and ":Masters of War" by Bob Dylan are very similar but yet different.These two songs talk about war but in separate ways.As said before, both of these songs have poetic terms and feelings about fighting in wars.They use their own ways to show their emotions felt but somehow compare.
The two songs I chose are Bob Dylan’s, “Masters of War” and Billy Joel’s, “Goodnight Saigon.” In Dylan’s song he says, “Come you masters of war” directly referring to the government. In Joel’s song, he mentions “Parris Island.” Which is completely different from the government, reason being, because Parris Island is a place? The point of view in Dylan’s song is towards the “masters of war” and “you” which is second person. In Joel’s song, he relates to “we” throughout the song. For example, “We met as soul mates on Parris Island” and “We said we’d all go down together.” In Dylan’s song he says the government is the reason for the wars and that they start them, but when is does come to fighting, the run and hide while all the soldiers are fighting. In Joel’s song, it is explaining what the soldiers go through, and that they “all go down together.” In both songs, however, it is explaining how bad war really is even if they do not say it in black and white.
Politics and political figures have a great influence on artists and the music that they write and create to represent their own personal beliefs on times of trial and controversy. Bob Dylan is a singer that wrote a plethora of music based on the events of the era, including songs like “Chimes of Freedom” and “Masters of War.” In the song “Masters of War,” Dylan mentions the wars created by the government and political figures, criticizing their choices. By choices, it is meant that they create wars that the younger generation, mostly men but also women, have to fight for and help repair society once the war is over. Dylan’s point of view, as seen throughout this song, is that it is wrong for these political figures to create and build up a war that threatens the lives of the citizens and soldiers for a war they created. Several poetic devices are seen in “Masters of War,” including anaphora. Anaphora is the repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of successive phrases or clauses, which may be seen in the lines “You that build all the guns/You that build the death planes/You that build the big bombs.” The word “you” is repeated at the beginning of successive lines, creating emphasis and drawing attention to the word. Also seen throughout the song is the use of similes. “But I see through your eyes/And I see through your brain/Like I see through the water/That runs down my drain” is an example of a simile that compares his ability to see through them like he can see through water. A paradox in this song is seen in the lines “You that never done nothin’/But build to destroy” because you cannot do nothing, and you would not expect to build something to destroy it; both statements contradict themselves. Finally, “Masters of War” contains imagery as seen through the lines “You hide in your mansion/As young people’s blood/Flows out of their bodies/And is buried in the mud.” The reader can picture the image of a mansion and blood flowing out of the bodies of a human being as is seeps into the soupy mud. Another use of imagery is seen in the final lines of the song: “And I’ll watch while you’re lowered/Down to your deathbed/And I’ll stand o’er your grave/’Til I’m sure that you’re dead.” The reader can also imagine the lowering of a casket into the deceased’s final resting place. Diction can also be found throughout the song through the use of abbreviating over so that it is pronounced o’er and changing the word until so that it is pronounced ’til. Finally, there is also the presence of alliteration in the line “build the big bombs.” This song has many poetic qualities, such as that it tells a story through rhyming verses; it is also very profound in its approach to delicate topics such as war and politics.
Another song about war that was influenced by political events is the song “War” by Bob Marley. Like Bob Dylan, Marley presents his view of war though it differs greatly. In the song, he tells about the war in Africa and the large gap present between first and second class citizens. He also notes that the philosophy of one race being superior to another is present in Africa and he, like other citizens, wants war to discredit it. Marley’s view of war is that he feels it is necessary, as well as his feelings of confidence in the people’s ability to win the war. Figurative language and poetic devices can also be found throughout the song, including alliteration which can be seen in the line “second class citizens.” There is also a point of view change in the song “War” as, in the beginning, Marley is speaking from his own point of view and his declaration of war as seen in the line “Me say war.” Further into the song, Marley switches the point of view so that he is speaking as a part of a group. This can be seen in the lines “And we know we shall win/As we are confident/In the victory.” The use of “me” in the beginning shows his own individual opinion while the use of “we” shows the opinion and confidence of the citizens of Africa. Marley also uses allusion in his song, as it can be seen in the lines “And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes/That hold our brothers in Angola,/In Mozambique,/South Africa;” this alludes to the regimes in Africa that unfairly treat the citizens of Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa. The poetic qualities that this song possesses are short, to-the-point verses and phrases as well as rhyme and repetition. Both songs are similar in that they tell and describe the point of view of the artist, yet they are also different because they show opposing opinions of war.
The two songs "Civil War" by Guns N' Roses and "Goodnight Saigon" by Billy Joel are similar and different in many ways. Both songs have a theme of war,and the soldiers fighting are talked about. However the themes are discussed very differently.
"Civil War" has a bad outlook on war and a narrow point of view. Guns N' Roses is telling people in the government to look at the people they have fighting. For example they say, "Look at your young men fighting, look at your young men dying." He is telling them that just because they send people to fight in the war does not mean we will keep peace, because it does not last forever and you can't trust it when everyone is trying to get it for themselves. The singer does not like war because "it feed the rich and burries the poor." This song is very simple and does not mention anything specific, but it alludes to fighting and death. They are saying they do not need your civil war, because there is nothing civil about it.
In "Goodnight Saigon" there is an allusion to "Parris Island" right away. Joel also alludes to Jesus. He has a more realistic point of view and symphathizes the soldiers. However he does not support or reject the war. Billy Joel sings as if he was one the soldiers. He tells the audience that they had no homefront or soft soap. They had nothing expect each other. They stuck together and it is clearly seen in the chorus:
"And we would all go down together
We said we'd all go down together
Yes we would all go down together."
Both Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War” and Billy Joel’s “Goodnight Saigon” are songs about war. Even though both songs are about the same topic, they are still very different. Billy Joel’s song tells about the experiences of soldiers in Vietnam. Bob Dylan’s song is against war in general. Point of view is one of the main differences between those songs. In “Masters of War”, Bob Dylan directly addresses the government, or those people responsible for the war. He expresses his opposition against war, and he directly criticizes the people responsible. Billy Joel however, writes in the view of a soldier in the war. His main goal with his song is to make the listeners feel and understand what the soldiers are going through. He wants to convey their hardship and their pain.
War songs:
Bob Marley “war” vs. Billy Joel’s “goodnight Saigon”
1.) From a historical point of view each song has a different story. Bob Marley’s war song is talking about the African civil rights war. Billy Joel’s song is talking about the Vietnam War.
2.) The point of view in Bob Marley’s song is from the view of an African citizen. The point of view in Billy Joel’s song is from the troops fighting on in the Vietnam War.
3.) A use of figurative language in Bob Marley’s song in the line “Why did father give these humans free will”. The word “father” is referring to god. An example of figurative language in Billy Joel’s song is in the line “and we were sharp”. This is referring to sharp as smart.
4.) A poetic device in Billy Joel’s is a simile. The simile is “we came in spastic like tameless horses”. The poetic device in Bob Marley song is alteration. The verse is “ War in the east, War in the west, War up North, War down south”
-Patrick Traverse
Two songs, Master of War by Bob Dylan, and Civil War by Guns 'n Roses are both similiar in many ways. Both songs put the blame of war on the government, and accuse them of sending young soldiers in to die, while they hide away; safe from the battle.
Guns 'n Roses' Civil War shows the dislike for the government beginning wars throughout their song. "I don't need your civil war
It feeds the rich while it buries the poor\Your power hungry sellin' soldiers\In a human grocery store" This shows that the politicians are sending the soliders into war is like buying food in a store, where the soldiers are the food that are sold to the politicians, and their lives are thrown away in the wars they have no choice to be a part of. The song refers to the Vietnam war, and Washington DC.
Bob Dylan's Master of War is simliar to Civil War. Dylan shows how the rich politicans begin the wars and hide away once said war begins. "You that never done nothin'\But build to destroy\You play with my world\Like it's your little toy\You put a gun in my hand\And you hide from my eyes\And you turn and run farther\When the fast bullets fly" Dylan refers to the politicans, not doing anything for anyone, except starting wars. Dylan doesn't refer to any war in particular, just critizing the men who start the war.
The songs "Masters of War" by Bob Dylan and "Goodnight Saigon" By Billy Joel, are both concnered with war and violence.Bob Dylan's "Masters of War" reflects on all of the negatives sides of the war. Joel personifies a Vietnam soldier in "Goodnight Saigon". Dylan lets everyone know the affect that the war has on soliders and gives you one clean shot, this is displayed through out the entire song. both songs use imagery and get the main picture across to its listeners.
"Masters of War" by Bob Dylan, is not necessarily based upon a single war. Dylan most likely wanted to make the song relate with most wars. But, as the song picks up, Dylan directs these "masters", or the government officials who declare war, and pin points them with terriffic lyrical abilities. He is stating that, their actions are unforgiveable and "Jesus would never forgive what you do". Dylan lets you think about these "masters", making them evil beings who "lie and deceive". Billy Joel,uses violence in a whole new perspective. He sets the song from the soliders point of view. He sings, "We prayed to Jesus_With all our might". Hearing these negativities keys the listener in to hear the entire story. While Dylan obviously states his negativity towards war, Joel shows us that war is not always just soldiers, they have morals and feelings too.
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