I recently received an email from Eric Olsen, a marketing writer and consultant. He seems like a brilliant chap. One of those guys that's good at everything... he appears to be very successful in life and in career. The reason he contacted me... is because he's also a musician and historian at heart. He's taken his musical talents, mixed them with some wit and cynicism... and he's put together a compilation of songs with the theme that every President has not met expectations.
His website: WhyEveryPresidentSucked.com has the intent of ridding our society of the search for the perfect president. It won't happen.
There is a lot of truth to what he's saying... but there are also some things I might argue... For example, in his song about Lincoln Eric states through his lyric...
"the sad thing is for the cost of the war you could have bought and freed every slave you’re fighting for..."
But Lincoln didn't want to free the slaves. He wanted to preserve the union. Buying all the slaves from the Southern plantations would not have done anything to mend the divide between North and South. The south was fighting for preservation of their culture. Preservation of their economy, their way of life. The slave owners would not have allowed anyone to buy their freedom in mass numbers like that.
Overall the idea is brilliant... This can undoubtedly be used in the classroom. Choose an era or a president and show the song and the lyric in class. Discuss. Find the faults, find the truths, find the reasons why the President "sucked". I know the kids will love this. Have them make their own songs... Send them to Eric, I'm sure he'd love to hear them.
Each president has a short summary of the imperfect event or happenings that work as the theme for the song, as well as the lyrics for better understanding.
Below is his 'Why JFK Sucked' song... with lyrics.
"The CIA sent 1,500 Cubans to Cochinos Bay Exiles armed and ready to revenge of Fidel
And to mimic a natural uprising Defeating Castro’s communizing ways
And the deal was that the U.S. had their backs If things would go awry Awry they went, but no one came
Where was JFK Who promised he would save the day
the bay of pigs it was a big disaster for America rather than an uprising everything came down Where was JFK Who promised he would save the day
And to save the little pretty face he had left he had to pay Castro $53 million to get the prisoner’s back Where was JFK Who promised he would save the day"
There are many of us who find the presidency of James K. Polk to be interesting. After all, he did accomplish a lot in his one and only term. He also adds to the allure of his legacy by opting not to run for a second term.
Most notably famous for his successful foreign policy. First he acquired lots of land in the Pacific Northwest by threatening to go to war with Britain, essentially taking what we know of as the Oregon Territory. Next, he was president during the Mexican–American War which resulted in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, where the United States took land from Mexico. James K. Polk is manifest destiny at it's finest, in all Polk was able to secure over 900,000 square miles for the expansion of the United States.
For a history teacher, this is pretty cool stuff. But for a student....? Aahh, maybe not so interesting. So how about teaching about James K. Polk through song. The band They Might be Giants (TMBG) makes it easy for you.
Click the play button below, and read the lyric and I'm sure you'll agree that they've got the facts straight. Then go to TMBG's page below for an annotated version of their lyrics.
James K. Polk Lyrics Artist: They Might Be Giants Album: Factory Showroom
In 1844, the Democrats were split The three nominees for the presidential candidate Were Martin Van Buren, a former president and an abolitionist James Buchanan, a moderate Louis Cass, a general and expansionist From Nashville came a dark horse riding up He was James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump
Austere, severe, he held few people dear His oratory filled his foes with fear The factions soon agreed He's just the man we need To bring about victory Fulfill our manifest destiny And annex the land the Mexicans command And when the votes were cast the winner was Mister James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump
In four short years he met his every goal He seized the whole southwest from Mexico Made sure the tarriffs fell And made the English sell the Oregon territory He built an independent treasury Having done all this he sought no second term But precious few have mourned the passing of Mister James K. Polk, our eleventh president Young Hickory, Napoleon of the Stump
Though more suited for world history, Pearl Jam's "Do the Evolution" music video certainly presents itself for some good discussion of human nature and how history repeats itself. Though not 100% classroom ready, it can be prefaced with some discussion and used as a tool to introduce history.
And though the lyrics suggest a satirical look at the religiously faithful, the video ponders much more than just religion. In college me and a friend analyzed this entire album and easily pulled biblical references from every song. This one is no exception. (Armageddon - "2010 watch it go to fire")
The video begins with evolution from cells to dinosaurs on to early man. It continues towards the Crusades showing a medieval knight preparing for battle. The video evolves to match the lyrics discussing the stock market crash. The KKK is shown doing some kind of ritual dance. It references Nazi troops and World War 1 trench warfare. There's a sequence of a slave master whipping a slave...There's a scene depicting what looks like the bombing of a Vietnamese village, by the "evil" United States. And it goes on towards a Pink Floyd-esque futuristic era, with the idea that computers are taking over and mankind is in the decline.
So who's to blame for mankind's de-evolution? Vedder and Pearl Jam seem to blame world leaders, religious leaders and large institutions in general.
Woo..
I'm ahead, I'm a man I'm the first mammal to wear pants, yeah I'm at peace with my lust I can kill 'cause in God I trust, yeah
It's evolution, baby
I'm at piece, I'm the man Buying stocks on the day of the crash On the loose, I'm a truck All the rolling hills, I'll flatten 'em out, yeah
It's herd behavior, uh huh It's evolution, baby
Admire me, admire my home Admire my son, he's my clone Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
This land is mine, this land is free I'll do what I want but irresponsibly It's evolution, baby
I'm a thief, I'm a liar There's my church, I sing in the choir: (hallelujah, hallelujah)
Admire me, admire my home Admire my son, admire my clones'
Cause we know, appetite for a nightly feast Those ignorant Indians got nothin' on me Nothin', why? Because... it's evolution, baby!
I am ahead, I am advanced I am the first mammal to make plans, yeah I crawled the earth, but now I'm higher 2010, watch it go to fire It's evolution, baby
Do the evolution Come on, come on, come on
-- Eddie Vedder/Stone Gossard
PS - Korn's "Evolution" has a similar message... but with a lot less history and more things that make you go hmmmm...
I found this song a few months ago when spending some time on YouTube.
The song, US History, by Flipsyde is a representation of the history of the United States as seen through the eyes of a personified America.
After discovering this song, I decided to check out a few more songs by Flipsyde. What I found was inspiring. Their songs are inspirational, educational, relevant and all send a positive message.
For teachers looking to use this song in class, I do recommend it, but be aware of the language. You might want to run this by the powers that be, or just be sure that your class is mature enough to except the song for what you're using it for... a history lesson.
I apologize in advance if the language offends anyone. It is for educational purposes.
It's got references to the mistreatment of Native Americans, The Revolution, The Civil War and slavery, imperialism, Teddy Roosevelt, The World Wars, including Pearl Harbor and the Atom bomb, Vietnam, the Cold War, Korean War, War in Iraq, etc... etc...
It really is impressive when you look at it from the standpoint of simplifying complex ideas and relationships in US History. If I were teaching US History right now... I'd use it.
Watch the video... then listen to the song again and read the lyrics. And tell me what you think...
US History - by Flipsyde
Hustlin's in my blood my father's name is Britain His history consisted of robbery killin' and pimpin
Filthy rich and the biggest killer that you ever seen Once I'm older I'm takin' over I'ma be king
I was locked up in jail when he got the new land Opened his cells I guess that's how the story began
First mission was to clear it out and claim it as mine Indigenous people were peaceful it took no time
Great grandmother Africa was blind and disabled Sons was traitors we played divide and conquer invaded
Sold her children into slavery and profited quick Started makin' side deals and that's how I got rich
Daddy Britain found out and tried to put me in check He don't understand I'm a man and I deserve some respect
Tried to bring it to me but I play for keeps and I won Still my daddy but you ain't the only man with a gun
More money More problems little brother is wild They call 'em The South he's country with a big ass mouth
Tried to show 'em new business but he don't wanna change I love 'em but I knew eventually I'd blow out his brains
I'm America!
You know you know God Bless America You know you know God Bless America You know you know God Bless
Me and my daddy still cool and my uncles is with us France Russia and Italy and we all killas
But it's this nigga named Germany that's out of control Rollin with Japan and Turkey and them niggas is bold
Started fuckin' with my uncles and we all went to war Uncle France damn near died at the tip of his sword
When the smoke cleared we won let 'em retreat Shoulda' killed 'em cause they knew they had us close to defeat
Kicked it off again 20 years later it was on This time my uncle Italy traded and he was gone
I was neutral when Japan hit me guess that he knew I aint gone' let my family fight without me jumpin' in too
Woulda' lost if I didn't hit Germany's weapon supply Kamikaze Japanese was always ready to die
Dropped atomic bomb let them niggas know that it's real Speak soft with a big stick do what I say or be killed
I'm America!
You know you know God Bless America You know you know God Bless America You know you know God Bless
I'm racin' with my uncle Russia we the ones with the guns He supported the North so I rolled with South Vietnam
Thought it would be easy but almost 60 thousand died They was harder than Korea so we ran for our lives
It's a family called the Middle East and they got bread Sellin' oil they don't cut me in then off with their head
I got a nephew named Israel that's right in the middle Pay his allowance as long as he can dance to my fiddle
I had a partna' named Iraq gave 'em weapons and money Nigga started getting' power and he start actin' funny
Saudi Arabia's cool gotta son Bin Laden I was trainin' his soldiers to go against the Russians and stop 'em
Then he tried to say I need to take my soldiers and cut Gave 'em the finger that's when he flipped and blew my shit up
I took it to 'em, and then I took it back to Iraq and if you ain't my blood brother you gonna be flat on yo' back
The sons of Africa just invented this shit called rap Tellin' my secrets that's why I'm puttin' their heads on flat
Built an empire quick and it might not last But I bet I go down in history as the one that smashed
I'm America!
You know you know God Bless America You know you know God Bless America You know you know God Bless
Hustlin's in my blood my father's name is Britain Hustlin's in my blood my father's name is Britain
The red the white the red the white the blue The red the white the red the white the blue
A colleague of mine sent me this link to an article a few weeks ago. It's a series of songs saluting Abraham Lincoln. The collection of mostly Civil War-era songs, includes "Dixie" and "Battle Cry of Freedom", entitled "Abraham Lincoln in Song".
Singer/songwriter Chris Vallillo says that "Lovers of acoustic music, history buffs and especially the educational audience". Valillo, who is from Illinois has studied Lincoln's life and Illinois folk traditions. The album seems like a natural progression. A link to his website is below.
The album was released on Lincoln's birthday, February 12, and can entertain and educate. If you're studying the Civil War, I might recommend playing this album as the kids are entering the room. Have them listen to the music and the lyrics and give them a journal entry, or a sponge, or whatever you're calling it these days asking them to write about the songs and the music.
Play "Battle Cry of Freedom," which was inspired by Lincoln's call for Union volunteers to join the Army.
Challenge the students to try and recognize the melody of "Aura Lee." Written in the 1860s, it is the melody for Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender." There are songs about Lincoln's funeral train and a runaway slave. On a side note, "Dixie" is said to be Lincoln's favorite. Valillo says it was played by the White House Band the day peace was declared as a way to inform the crowds of the news.
Just opening the conversation to music is a good way to make the lesson more authentic by asking them what their favorite artists are writing about and what messages they're trying to convey. Music is a universal language.
As a teacher I've used music in my classroom on various occasions.
Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire" was a good way to teach the modern era of American history by challenging the students to learn all of the people, places and events that are highlighted in the song. I followed that by having them come up with their own verse of what has happened during their lifetime. Which was approximately 1990 - 2007, which worked well because Billy Joel's song went to 1989. Click here to see a video highlighting the song's events and read the comments left by my students.
I used the Beatles's "Revolution" to start a dialogue on what exactly is a revolution, and what message were Lennon and McCartney trying to convey? This works well in civics and American history. And everybody likes the Beatles.
Bob Dylan's 'Blowin' In the Wind', James Taylor's "Carolina on My Mind", John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" and Brad Paisley's 'Mud on the Tires' inspired thought on American transcendentalism, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and what the true meaning of life is. This was followed by students bringing in and sharing their own music of that emphasized living a simple life and celebrated the truth found in nature and in personal emotion and imagination, as opposed to an organized belief. They liked sharing their music with everyone in the class. They brought in everything from Led Zeppelin to 311. And they made pretty good arguments for their choices.
I used Garth Brooks' "Belleau Wood", which is about the World War I Christmas truce on the Western Front in 1914 during a World War 1 unit. It was cool when all the students started to sing along. For the lyrics to this song, click here. (It's not 100% historically accurate, but a good starting point to understand the human factor of war). You can buy the album here.
And of course, I've used a few songs from the famous School House Rocks collection. "I'm Just a Bill", "The Shot Heard 'Round the World" and my favorite... "The Preamble" to the American Constitution. I like using this during the first week of an American Government class. To this day, our government still holds true to the promise in the preamble. Or do they? It makes for good class discussion.
And I'm sure this counts as music, but the movie '1776' is a musical. I've used that as well. That movie is a great way to personify the Constitution Convention and the seriousness of the Declaration of Independence. The kids like to see Mr. Feeney (William Daniels) from Boy Meets World, who plays John Adams.
And there are dozens of other ideas I've had about using music in the classroom. I would love to hear more ideas. And I know that people read this blog, my statistics tell me so... so please leave a comment and share your thoughts.
Teachers, students and educators, check out USHistorySite.com for American History lesson plans, timelines, games, resources and primary source documents.
, James Taylor's "Carolina on My Mind", John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" and Brad Paisley's 
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