Bob Dylan

How was Bob Dylan's "Masters of War" involved in controversy during the Bush administration?

Bob Dylan's song 'Masters of War' is essentially a protest song written to protest against the Wars that were being fought at that time.Even though the song was written in the 1960's its power can still be seen today. I think this song is still very powerful as it still is relevant all these years later. In the song Bob Dylan is very clear on the position that he holds and his negative view towards war.

The song became embroiled in controversy on February 21 1991 at the Grammy Awards, where Bob Dylan would receive the Lifetime Achievement Award when he delivered the rendition of Masters of War happening in the middle of the first war between America and Iraq during the George Bush administration. This reinforced his view and his answer to conflict on the topic of war. This became one of the most memorable performance of his entire career and struck a chord with the audience and not only with the Americans but also with audiences around the world.

Again when George Bush made it clear that he wanted to launch a second war against Iraq, on 11th November just after securing the midterm elections Bob Dylan once again performed the song. This time his performance came at Madison Square once against protesting Bush strategies and intentions of launching another war against Iraq. Then again when George Bush John Kerry were contending for the title of the presidency. On this intense night when the votes were being counted with one state being left fought for Bob Dylan again Masters of War.

The song had so much power that it also influenced a group of "Your basic juvenile delinquent types," school kids as described by their teacher to use the song as their act for their annual talent show. The named themselves Taliband made the cut and gave a blunt performance of the song changing the lyrics "I hope you die" to Die, Bush, Die". This led a parent of a student call the news stations and the situation escalated to the point where the Secret Service turned up and took the lyrics to the "Master's of War" and then left. The band decided to change their name to the Coalition of the Willing. With such commotion having taken place the band negotiated with the school administration to have footage of Bush and Iraq being shown in the background whilst they played the song. The administration were hesitant and at the end came to a compromise of allowing generic war footage alongside the American flag.

Bob Dylan's song "Masters of War" is an extremely powerful protest song and this was proven by it's impact during the Bush administration. It's meaning was projected by not only Bob Dylan himself but by those influenced by the song also.

Marcus,G. (2006). Stories of a Bad Song. Retrieved May 9, 2013, from http://www.threepennyreview.com/samples/marcus_w06.html