During the late 60s and early 70s the San Francisco Bay Area had a few great alternative rock FM stations and of course Pacifica Radio Station in Berkeley KPFA. The news and commentary I heard on KPFA was totally out of step with what passed for news on the mainstream channels.
I’m not sure how this song has aged. As, I guess the line “Dykes and fairies” may no longer be political correct. However, this song came close to capturing what I felt at the time as did the commentary on KPFA.
"I'd Love to Change the World" is a song by the British blues rock band Ten Years After. Written by Alvin Lee, it is the lead single from the band's 1971 album A Space in Time. It is the band's only Top 40 hit, peaking at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and their most popular single.
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Billy Walker of Sounds wrote that the "acoustic guitar, echoing vocals, and electric guitar build up the tempo with very good cool electric passages by Alvin [Lee], and while there's nothing new developing it's a very nice track". Matthew Greenwald of Allmusic highlighted Lee's guitar work as the "most expressive—and most tasteful—electric guitar performance of his career", and added "if there is a single song that can describe the overall vibe of the counterculture in 1969/1970, this may very well be it.
From Wikipedia: I'd Love to Change the World
For me as a counterculture person I was one of the “freaks and hairies Dykes and fairies” that the main stream hated. So, at the time I was not offended by the line. If anything, it was rebellious and gave me a sense of group identity.
Everywhere is freaks and hairies
Dykes and fairies, tell me where is sanity
Tax the rich, feed the poor
'Til there are no rich no more?
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I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
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Population keeps on breeding
Nation bleeding, still more feeding economy
Life is funny, skies are sunny
Bees make honey, who needs money, Monopoly
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I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
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World pollution, there's no solution
Institution, electrocution
Just black and white, rich or poor
Them and us, stop the war
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I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
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So, what do you think about this song. Should it be canceled? Do you find the the lyrics offensive? Please answer the poll or leave a comment.
JON
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