The sixties was a period of great social change. The gloom of the post-war drab 1950s was replaced with a new optimism, liberalisation and need for fun and colour. Bob Dylan had pointed the way with his anti-war and civil rights poetry and youth had erupted all over the planet to create a vibrant music, fashion and rebellious counter-culture. For a while the establishment reeled.
The need for social change was openly discussed. There were protests, sit-ins, marches and protest. There was revolution in the air. For a while, with the Paris student street protests and the Chicago riots, it looked as if there could be violent revolution.
The Beatles had aligned themselves with the youth rebellion and were subjected to the same pressure as the rest of sixties youth. Their response was to disown the more radical and violent element and support those who wanted to bring about a peaceful change. If we altered our heads and our mind-set we could bring about a positive move to a better, more liberal society.
It was worth struggling for.
“Revolution”
You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it’s evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don’t you know that you can count me out
Don’t you know it’s gonna be alright
Alright, alright
You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We’d all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We’re all doing what we can
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell you is brother you have to wait
Don’t you know it’s gonna be alright
Alright, alright, al…
You say you’ll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it’s the institution
Well, you know
You’d better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain’t going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don’t you know know it’s gonna be alright
Alright, alright
Alright, alright
Alright, alright
Alright, alright
Alright, alright