WOODSTOCK & JANIS JOPLIN
Emely Moreno
How did Woodstock impact the counterculture movement of the 1960s?
How Woodstock came about?
How did the music performed at woodstock compare to the rising motown/R&B movement of the 60s?
The music of the motown R&B movement went in tandem with the civil rights movement. The motown movement consisted mostly of African American groups, singer/songwriters, and record labels. This movement proved that the barriers that segregation provided between the races could be broken. The movement also gave african american artist the opportunity to take back the music that truly belonged to their culture despite the fact that it had gained popularity during the white rock and roll movement of the 1950s. Some of the most influential artists to emerge from this movement were Diana Ross and the Supremes as well as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and many more. The music performed at woodstock shared the same passion for change as the music of the motown movement had however as opposed to fighting for civil rights it was propelling the anti vietnam movement forward. Many of the artists who performed at woodstock were proponents of the counterculture movement supporting the summer of love and psychedelic drugs.
Jimi Hendrix's performance of the Star Spangled Banner was an outright protest of America. While starting out as a traditional rendition of the National Anthem Hendrix began to slowly let his music reflect the violence of Vietnam holding notes for to long or changing the pitch. The effect of this was unsettling to the ear as Hendrix completely abandoned original tune of the song letting his music imitate the sound of exploded bombs and trigger the memories of screaming children suffering the horrors of the vietnam war.
Behind the Scenes- the lives of the Woodstock performers
Janis Joplin a performer at the Woodstock festival led a very controversial life during the 1960s. Joplin indulged in the drug scene of the time period to escape from the strict societal norms that many subscribed to. Janis Joplin rebelled against the traditional idea of a women in the 1960s by maintaining a tough exterior to match her aggressive nature. While these characteristics did not line up with the traditional idea of a women Joplin strived to establish a new identity for women by embracing her sensitivity and remaining vulnerable in her music all while establishing herself as a strong independent women who can stand on her own two feet. Despite Joplin's tough exterior she struggled with many insecurities stemming from childhood bullying mostly about her outward appearance as she did not embody the soft feminine features that accompany the idea of an ideal women. Joplin's music was greatly influenced by the blues singers of the civil rights movement such as Aretha Franklin inspiring Joplin by the soulful passionate nature of their music as well as inspiring Joplin to believe in the message of the civil rights music.
Janis Joplin's song Piece of My Heart is a song performed with her band the big brother holding company. The song is about the experience of a woman who is taken advantage of by a man. As well as how many women feel that there only purpose is to please a man.
Lyrics to Piece of My Heart
Didn't I make you feel like you were the only man - yeah!
An' didn't I give you nearly everything that a woman possibly can ?
Honey, you know I did!
And each time I tell myself that I, well I think I've had enough,
But I'm gonna show you, baby, that a woman can be tough.
I want you to come on, come on, come on, come on and take it,
Take it!
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby!
Oh, oh, break it!
Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Oh, oh, have a!
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby,
You know you got it if it makes you feel good,
Oh, yes indeed.
You're out on the streets looking good,
And baby deep down in your heart I guess you know that it ain't right,
Never, never, never, never, never, never hear me when I cry at night,
Babe, and I cry all the time!
But each time I tell myself that I, well I can't stand the pain,
But when you hold me in your arms, I'll sing it once again.
I'll say come on, come on, come on, come on and take it!
Take it!
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby.
Oh, oh, break it!
Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah,
Oh, oh, have a!
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby,
You know you got it, child, if it makes you feel good.
I need you to come on, come on, come on, come on and take it,
Take it!
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby!
Oh, oh, break it!
Break another little bit of my heart, now darling, yeah, c'mon now.
Oh, oh, have a
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby.
You know you got it - whoahhhhh!!
Take it!
Take it! Take another little piece of my heart now, baby,
Oh, oh, break it!
Break another little bit of my heart, now darling, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah,
Oh, oh, have a
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby, hey,
You know you got it, child, if it makes you feel good.
The after-effect of woodstock
The Woodstock festival overall represented the culmination of the 60s counterculture movement. The acts of the Woodstock and the protest of the vietnam war eventually led to the end of the vietnam war. The woodstock festival changed the world by allowing for peace to be carried through the music and bond many americans together changing the purpose behind the music to spreading a message of peace as opposed to working to gain fame and fortune.