Not if you write something anthematic. That's one thing I've noticed really lacking in the anti-war music department as of late - coming up with a tune that a huge crowd of people can spontaneously start belting out. Simple yet catchy and stirring melody/lyric.
Good point! It's also a challenge to deliver an upbeat, positive message on such contentious subjects as politics and war, yet say something that's really on-point and unambiguous. We tried this approach in our song "Bridges", inspired by the 2004 presidential elections.
http://www.mixposure.com/song.php?songid=25273 with these lyrics:
Hey my fellow Americans, did you get out and vote with your hearts?
Are you happy to say that it all went your way,
or cryin' cause you see the world fallin' apart?
My friends and countrymen, do you look at the news and see a future that's bright,
or are you secretly hoping for this year's winners to fail,
and prove you were right?
Well people, I think it's time to peel off the stickers and pull up the signs.
Tear down all of those crazy blue and red banners.
Now wipe of the smirks, and stop all that whinin'.
Show your smiling faces to the sun that's shining.
Calm down, lighten up, look ahead, and get back our manners,
and build bridges, not barricades.
Hey my angry brothers and sisters, walkin' around growlin' under your breath,
Shootin' dirty looks at the strangers you see,
and blaming each other for the suffering and death.
Do you want to hide your mind in the dirt, or fly high away from it all?
Join the anti-elite on some anti-crusade,
maybe in Amsterdam or Montreal?
A wise man I once called a fool said hey, if there's something here worth saving,
then you damned well better stay.
Stand and fight for what you love, for those who can't or won't.
And from the eye of the storm I hear my best friend say
the things you despise can never go away, so she says
keep your mind on what you want, instead of what you don't,
and build bridges, not barricades.
Now lighten up your minds, it's always worth tryin'.
Show your smiling faces to the sun that's shinin'.
Fight for what you love, not against what you fear.
And don't you turn away now, 'cause we need you here
to build bridges, not barricades.
I hadn't thought about the anthem approach on any of these songs, though, and appreciate the suggestion. Might have to dust this one off for an alternative take in 2008.
Peace!
it's a song I wrote when the war was starting... 
listen to the words... they are very important... this is a live recording with the band I had going for a while last year....
