![]() Popular music had become a vehicle for dialogue, if not for change. America was at war with itself over the fighting in Vietnam. Five people had died in the Rolling Stones San Francisco Bay area tragic “Altamont Speedway” concert in 1970.ĭrugs, drug abuse and death by overdose were rampant in the late 60s and early 70s. The ONE message that does sound loud and clear, however, is that the song, and the times during which it was written, reflects the loss of innocence in American music.Ĭharles Manson and accomplices had been inspired by the Beatles “Helter Skelter” in the summer of 1969 to butcher innocents in Hollywood. The song is LONG (almost 8 and 1/2 minutes) and filled with enough cryptic language and imagery to have warranted a Joseph Campbell weigh-in. The Rolling Stones and “Jumping Jack Flash” are in the mix. The Byrds are referenced by name albeit spelled “the birds.” John Lennon’s egalitarian politics are mentioned. The “jester” most likely is a reference to Bob Dylan. “The Big Bopper” Richardson) in a plane crash in 1959. Clearly there are references to the death of Buddy Holly (along with Ritchie Valens and J.P. ![]() Much about the song is agreed upon by fans and students.
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