“I write all my own songs and they are just simple melodies with a lot of lyrics. They usually have to do with current events and what is going on in the news. You can call them topical songs, songs about the news, and then developing into more philosophical songs later.”
Testimony http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/Chicago7/ochs.html at the Chicago Seven trial (11 December 1969)
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Phil Ochs 48
American protest singer and songwriter 1940–1976Related quotes

“A lot of times I wonder what Adam would have written songs about. -Appalachian Melody.”
Liner Notes

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Context: There's a little book I'm thinking of writing — "Swan Song" is what I shall call it. The song of the dying. And my book will be incense burnt at the deathbed of this society, damned with the damnation of its own impotence.

First line to each performance.
Alice's Restaurant Massacree

"Local Legends" on the CBS Early Show (December 26, 2011)