Cold War Music: A Top Ten List

American Institute for Economic Research ^ | April 11, 2022 | Clifford F. Thies

[CheshireTheCat]

The end of the Cold War is sometimes dated November 9, 1989, with the fall of the Berlin Wall. To be sure, there were important events leading up to this date, and others following. And, not everything proceeded peacefully.

Following the breakup of the Soviet Union, there were nationalist movements and radical Islamic terrorism within some of Russia’s client states. Then, Russia began to meddle in the affairs of what it considered to be its “near republics.” But, until the invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, it was thought that these conflicts were departures from an overall trend of reduced violence and increasing standards of living and civil liberties.

Now, we face the prospect of a new cold war.

The following top ten list of popular songs is designed to capture the angst of the (original) cold war period. The countdown reflects, variously, the chronology of the times, and the social impact of the songs....

[Fiji Hill]

I have that Janet Greene disc—from 1966.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Party at Ground Zero by Fishbone.

[fidelis]

I was crawling around Nukes when I was 18 years old.

As was I. I still fly my SAC patch proudly. Thank you for your service.

[Fiji Hill]

My Cold War Top 10

1. Stalin Kicked the Bucket--Ray Anderson (1953)

2. Advice to Joe--Roy Acuff (1951)

3. The Voice of Free America--Jimmie Osborne (1951)

4. Mr. Stalin, You're Eating Too High on the Hog--Arthur 'Guitar Boogie" Smith & His Crackerjacks (1950)

5. I'm No Communist--Carson Robison (1952)

6. They Locked God Outside the Iron Curtain--Little Jimmy Dickens (1952)

7. When They Drop the Atomic Bomb--Jackie Doll & His Pickled Peppers (1951)

8. God, Please Protect America--The Sunshine Boys Quartet (1951)

9. Thank God for Victory in Korea--Jimmie Osborne (1950)

10. The Iron Curtain Has Parted--Don Windle (1953)

[Cecily]

Living Through Another Cuba - XTC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZFCyMPvLd8

[smalltownslick]

This was right about the time I was getting seriously into country music. I remember to this day the first country album I ever bought, Ray Price’s The Other Woman. It was so good to this day I still rank it in my Top 5 of all time. There was a song on there called This Cold War With You.

[Cecily]

From Russia With Love - Matt Monro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lcdmq07u2T8

and just about every other James “Cold Warrior” Bond theme song.

The Ipcress File soundtrack - John Barry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFWMFvBTZ4M&list=PLWv6NgYmPAip6VgCX0IwY5TV3L4zwtCZT

[NWFree]

Def Leppard Gods of War has Regan Thatcher and raghead chants can’t get any better than that 🤪

[NWFree]

PS - add Ozzy - Thank God for the bomb

[NWFree]

“ When war is obsolete
I’ll thank God for war’s defeat
But any talk about hell freezing over
Is all said with tongue in cheek
Until the day the war drums beat no more

I’ll thank God for the bomb”

[Fiji Hill]

How about some music from the other side of the Cold War?

• Imagine--John Lennon (1971)

• The Hammer Song (If I Had a Hammer)--The Weavers (1950)

• Rise Up! (The Comintern Song)--The New Singers (1935)

• Moscow-Peking--The All-Union Radio Orchestra & Chorus (1950)

• Stalin, Friend & Comrade--Ernst Busch (1951)

• The Thaelmann Battalion--Ernst Busch (1938)

• The Song of the [Socialist Unity] Party--Ernst Busch (1950)

[heavy metal]

it’s also one of the first songs recorded with their “tis but a flesh wound” drummer...

[fso301]

Ballad of the Green Berets

Fightin Side of Me

[rellic]

I think I still have that patch somewhere.
Minot ND.
Thank you too!
SAC duty was very rigorous.