Why So Subtle?

In this article "Subtle Songs of Protest hit a High Note" by Chris Macias
he discusses some current protest songs, compares them with protest songs of the 1960s and remarks:

"The difference between the protest songs of the 1960s - think “Eve of Destruction” by Barry McGuire or Edwin Starr’s “War” - and today’s is that these newer messages tend to come in more subtle musical packages. And they can be so hummable that people may mouth the words and never know they’re dissing the president."

and later says

"More overt protest anthems may be coming soon. After the umpteenth song about partying and summer love - and with approval ratings for the Iraq war continuing to tank - the pop music landscape is primed for an even bigger swell of anti-war tunes."

In the 1960s when protesters took to the streets, and protest songs were "hard core", Neptune lay in passionate Scorpio. Now we have Neptune in cooler, though idealistic, Aquarius, and in mutual reception with Uranus in Neptune's home sign Pisces. This ought to be a good atmosphere for imaginative protest and rebellion. Will the writer's prediction of more overt anti-war tunes come true as Saturn moves into conscientious Virgo and Pluto mixes it up in stable, old fashioned Capricorn ? We shall see. I have my doubts, somehow the caring isn't universally passionate enough these days.

Here are the lyrics (written by P.F. Sloan) to Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" from 1965 - the good ol' days of REAL protest songs:
(On YouTube it's at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39ESOKkU1ho

The eastern world it is explodin',
violence flarin', bullets loadin',
you're old enough to kill but not for votin',
you don't believe in war, what's that gun you're totin',
and even the Jordan river has bodies floatin',
but you tell me over and over and over again my friend,
ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.

Don't you understand, what I'm trying to say?
Can't you see the fears that I'm feeling today?
If the button is pushed, there's no running away,
There'll be no one to save with the world in a grave,
take a look around you, boy, it's bound to scare you, boy,
and you tell me over and over and over again my friend,
ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.

Yeah, my blood's so mad, feels like coagulatin',
I'm sittin' here, just contemplatin',
I can't twist the truth, it knows no regulation,
handful of Senators don't pass legislation,
and marches alone can't bring integration,
when human respect is disintegratin',
this whole crazy world is just too frustratin',
and you tell me over and over and over again my friend,
ah, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.

Think of all the hate there is in Red China
Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama!
Ah, you may leave here, for four days in space,
but when you return, it's the same old place,
the poundin' of the drums, the pride and disgrace,
you can bury your dead, but don't leave a trace,
hate your next-door-neighbour, but don't forget to say grace,
and you tell me over and over and over and over again my friend,
you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.
no no you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.