A Protest for the Ages: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Ohio”
Released in 1970, “Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young is one of the most powerful protest songs in rock history, written in response to the tragic events at Kent State University on May 4, 1970. Penned by Neil Young shortly after seeing a haunting photo of a student lying dead from gunfire, the song gave voice to a nation reeling from the violent clash between students protesting the Vietnam War and the Ohio National Guard. Its raw urgency resonated with audiences, climbing to #14 on the Billboard Hot 100, despite its controversial subject matter.
Opening with a stark, foreboding guitar riff, “Ohio” sets a somber tone that mirrors the gravity of the events it addresses. Neil Young’s searing vocals deliver the now-famous opening lines, “Tin soldiers and Nixon coming, we’re finally on our own.” In just a few words, he encapsulates the fear and anger of a generation grappling with governmental violence against its citizens. The refrain, “Four dead in Ohio,” repeated with haunting simplicity, drives home the human cost of the conflict.
The instrumental arrangement is as raw and visceral as the song’s message. Young’s distorted guitar and David Crosby’s anguished backing vocals create an atmosphere of tension and sorrow. Stephen Stills’ bassline and Graham Nash’s harmony add depth, while the pounding drumbeat feels like a heartbeat, relentless and inescapable. The song’s stripped-down production gives it a live, immediate quality, as though it’s being played straight from the emotions of the moment.
“Ohio” became a rallying cry for the anti-war movement, but its impact transcended the politics of its time. The song remains a stark reminder of the power of music to address injustice, provoke thought, and inspire change. Its raw emotion and unflinching commentary make it as relevant today as it was over five decades ago.
For fans of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, “Ohio” is more than just a song—it’s a moment in history captured in sound. It reminds us of the enduring power of art to hold a mirror to society, to mourn its failures, and to call for something better. It’s a track that continues to demand attention, a timeless anthem of resistance and remembrance.
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