The Cold War between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. was a result of different ideas with regards to political and economic policies. This “war” also promoted an anticommunism feeling within Americans because the U.S.S.R. promoted communism. During this time period, if any person performed an action or made statement that could be viewed as communist they were instantly in danger.
Due to this scare, many citizens went out of their way to assure their companions of their loyalty to America through promoting anticommunism views. This was done through tv commercials, posters, newspapers, tv shows, skits, and of course music.
Husband and wife Scotty Wiseman and Lulu Belle wrote and recorded, I’m No Communist (1952) in response to the HUAC hearings of 1950 and 1951. The beginning focuses on criticizing communism in order to promote the anticommunist view that was expected of all citizens.
Lyrics
We’re living in a country that’s the finest place on earth But some folks don’t appreciate this land that gave them birth I hear that up in Washington they’re having an awful fuss ‘Cause Communists and spies were making monkeys out of us
The bureaus and departments have been busy night and day They’re figuring out just how we gave our secrets all away And Congress has appointed a committee, so they said To find out who’s American and who’s a low-down Red.
They call them up to Washington to speak for Uncle Sam But when they ask them what they are, they shut up like a clam I wish they’d take and put me on the witness stand today I’d yell so loud old Stalin could hear me all the way
I’m no Communist, and I’ll you that right now I believe a man should own his own house and car and cow I like this private ownership, and I want to be left alone Let the government run its business and let me run my own
Our government is bigger than it ever was today The more they hire to work for it, the more they have to pay Our public servants should be proud and honest you would think Instead of taking bribes and dressing up their wives in mink
The taxes keep on going up of that there is no doubt But still they just can’t take it in as fast as they dish it out Our national debt is a monster size and growin’ every day Our children’s children, still unborn are gonna have to pay
Our dollar used be the soundest money on this earth But now two bucks won’t even buy a good old dollar’s worth Unless we stop inflation and take care of what we’ve got The Communists may win the fight and never fire a shot
I’m no Communist, and I’ll you that right now I believe a man should own his own house and car and cow I like this private ownership, and I want to be left alone Let the government run its business and let me run my own
The first stanza of this song points out how many people do not appreciate America for giving them freedom and a place to prosper then mentions the spies that were in America at the time. This tells that the idea of being anticommunist means you must value the U.S. and have a patriotic attitude.
The chorus of the song which starts with “I’m not Communist..” also points out the beliefs of anticommunists. They felt that the government should not have control of every aspect of society nor a person’s possessions.
Through this song the reader can see how drastic the views on Communist were during the Cold War and how citizens thought it necessary to prove their loyalty to America, even if it is just through a song.
Due to this scare, many citizens went out of their way to assure their companions of their loyalty to America through promoting anticommunism views. This was done through tv commercials, posters, newspapers, tv shows, skits, and of course music.
Husband and wife Scotty Wiseman and Lulu Belle wrote and recorded, I’m No Communist (1952) in response to the HUAC hearings of 1950 and 1951. The beginning focuses on criticizing communism in order to promote the anticommunist view that was expected of all citizens.
Lyrics
We’re living in a country that’s the finest place on earth But some folks don’t appreciate this land that gave them birth I hear that up in Washington they’re having an awful fuss ‘Cause Communists and spies were making monkeys out of us
The bureaus and departments have been busy night and day They’re figuring out just how we gave our secrets all away And Congress has appointed a committee, so they said To find out who’s American and who’s a low-down Red.
They call them up to Washington to speak for Uncle Sam But when they ask them what they are, they shut up like a clam I wish they’d take and put me on the witness stand today I’d yell so loud old Stalin could hear me all the way
I’m no Communist, and I’ll you that right now I believe a man should own his own house and car and cow I like this private ownership, and I want to be left alone Let the government run its business and let me run my own
Our government is bigger than it ever was today The more they hire to work for it, the more they have to pay Our public servants should be proud and honest you would think Instead of taking bribes and dressing up their wives in mink
The taxes keep on going up of that there is no doubt But still they just can’t take it in as fast as they dish it out Our national debt is a monster size and growin’ every day Our children’s children, still unborn are gonna have to pay
Our dollar used be the soundest money on this earth But now two bucks won’t even buy a good old dollar’s worth Unless we stop inflation and take care of what we’ve got The Communists may win the fight and never fire a shot
I’m no Communist, and I’ll you that right now I believe a man should own his own house and car and cow I like this private ownership, and I want to be left alone Let the government run its business and let me run my own
The first stanza of this song points out how many people do not appreciate America for giving them freedom and a place to prosper then mentions the spies that were in America at the time. This tells that the idea of being anticommunist means you must value the U.S. and have a patriotic attitude.
The chorus of the song which starts with “I’m not Communist..” also points out the beliefs of anticommunists. They felt that the government should not have control of every aspect of society nor a person’s possessions.
Through this song the reader can see how drastic the views on Communist were during the Cold War and how citizens thought it necessary to prove their loyalty to America, even if it is just through a song.
References:
"Lulu Belle & Scotty - I'm No Communist (1952)." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2015.
"The Cold War." - John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.
"Lulu Belle & Scotty - I'm No Communist (1952)." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2015.
"The Cold War." - John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.