HISTORICAL EVENTS IN THE MUSIC OF THE 1960S: "HORSE LATITUDES" AND OTHER GREAT SONGS

Historical events have always inspired artists of every era. Musicians have composed countless songs that had past events as their subject matter. These historical events often had a strong impact on a collective level too.

From the blues of the 1920s and 1930s to the rock of the late 1960s, there are multiple examples of how dramatic events far back in time have been the inspiration for beautiful songs.

With his insightful look at the present as well as the past, Jim Morrison dealt with a historical subject in the case of "Horse Latitudes", track number five on the Doors' album "Strange Days" (September 1967).

In this case the singer considers the time when navigation across the Atlantic Ocean took place only by sail, with many complications and dangers. This evocative backdrop, placed between the 16th and 19th centuries, is used to emphasize the striking scene described in the lyrics, as well as its details and deep meaning.

A feature that confirms Morrison's interest in human vicissitudes and his often-underestimated ability to combine a transgressive image with a broad education and vast culture.

He was not, however, the only one to evoke historical events in the lirycs of wonderful songs. Among the several existing examples, we would like to mention two that are particularly fascinating altough very differen from "Horse Latitudes".

The first one is represented by the song "With God On Our Side", contained on "The Time They Are A-Changin'", Bob Dylan's third LP (February 1964). Here, Dylan's acoustic guitar and voice narrate different moments in history in which the Christian religion has been exploited as a diversion for misdeeds and violence.

From the genocide of Native Americans to the horrors of World War II, Dylan hurls harsh criticism at the hypocrisy of those who claim to be Christians but easily betray the core values of Christianity itself.

The lyrics are punctuated by the brief interludes of Dylan's harmonica which stand out against the acustic guitar background. This song represents one of the most explicit and uncompromising protest folk songs ever released by a famous artist.

The second example features the the devil, used by Mick Jagger as the protagonist of "Symapathy For The Devil" by the Rolling Stones. This composition is part of the December 1968 album "Beggars Banquet"; an absolute masterpiece recorded in the spring-summer of that year. Keith Richards' solo and the extreme originality of the composition rank without a doubt "Sympathy For The Devil" as one of the best rock songs in history.

The song leverages not only Mick Jagger's vocals but also the arrangement, made unmistakable by various percussions and the rhythmic contribution of the piano played by session musician Nicky Hopkins.

However, these features never managed to overshadow its famous lyrics. The Rolling Stones singer plays the part of the devil, holding him accountable for some momentous events where violence changed human history. In this masterpiece we go from the crucifixion of Christ to the Soviet Revolution, via the assassination of J.F. Kennedy and the religious wars that affected Europe for centuries. Therefore history's twists and turns are interpreted here as the result of Satan's malevolent intervention.

As we have seen, in the 1967 album "Strange Days" Jim Morrison uses events of the past to move the listener and trigger a deep reflection. In doing this, he is in good company. In fact, we mentioned two other great musicians which saw their creativity aroused by the dramatic events that marked the path of humanity.