LPCity wrote: 
How about writing about one of them each time the song's played?  I would like to hear what they are!

 toterola wrote: 
I was born in the mid-50s so I'm in my, er, mid-50s.

As for my generation, the late Abbie Hoffman said it best: the yippies went to law school and became yuppies. Apparently that depressed him so much it contributed to his suicide.

Of my circle of friends, yes - most became the very suburbanites they so detested in college and that transformation was becoming apparent when this song came out. I've always considered it the moment I realized my generation was over, and a new generation was here with something to say. And it was not always complimentary.

The only thing better is Nick Lowe's version.

Mine too. mrmonkey wrote: 

Am I the only one who thinks that the opening guitar riff sounds like the one in Baba O'Riley by The Who?

I will always love this song for reasons that would take WAY too long to explain...

 mirland wrote: 
I can definitely see how it can be heard that way, but I don't think it is intended as a joke. I take his angry delivery of the semi-depressive Nick Lowe original as a "Geez guys, snap out of it!," or "I come not to bring peace but a sword!" interpretation. It is possible to be loving and angry at the same time.

Is this actually a joke?

Fantastic album.  My favourite of Costello's.

10+ or more.

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 

I finally heard it after all these years (I picked up the new Nick L. compilation).  Didn't know you had linked to it here...my bad.

Nick's version is OK, but Elvis' surely packs more punch. 

I'm still looking for Brinsley Schwarz CD's, and that's been a chore, to say the least.

I read where in '92, another singer covered this song on the soundtrack to "The Bodyguard", and that thing sold 17 MILLION UNITS in the U.S. alone!  As a songwriter of 1 cut on the album, Nick raked in so much cash he's been super-wealthy ever since.  Couldn't happen to a better guy... 

 lmic wrote: 

Through in Neil Young - Throw Your Hatred Down
and you gotta real peaceful mix!

Rating needs to go to 11 for this one.

Elvis Costello - Peace, Love and Understanding
Youngbloods - Get Together

Thanks for keeping the faith in these very, very weird times, BillG.

 peter_james_bond wrote: 
I agree; and he had a kick-ass band at that time.

 wrangler wrote: 
2>1

 unclehud wrote: 
Uhhhh... yeah, the 60s kids sold out, and more, a long time ago.

I even hear them making fun of folks from their generation (and others) who didn't sell out as being: hippies, tree-huggers, "crunchy", Earth muffins, and other terms not nearly as funny.

Your generation dropped the ball.

But then again, so has mine. So far, anyway. President Obama is 6 months younger than I am.

Where are the strong, and who are the trusted?

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 
A beautiful message from a brilliant social satirist Mr. Stephen Colbert

Definitely one of the all-time great rock n roll anthems.

 crockydile wrote: 
Y'know, you're right. He does sound angry—very, very angry. But his anger makes sense when you listen to the lyrics. You did listen to the lyrics, didn't you?

love the exaggerated vocals

Great song...and btw, congrats to President Obama for the peace prize.

The only thing funny about peace, love, and understanding is why everybody doesn't already have these traits.  What happened to my Flower Power generation?  Did we really sell out to this degree?

I suppose so.

 a_genuine_find wrote: 
 
thanks!

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
A Colbert Christmas: Peace, Love and Understanding
www.colbertnation.com

 brucep2r wrote: 
Correction to what?

 ezzyme wrote: 
  ..    ..

a small correction...   this was written while Nick Lowe was with the band Brinsley Schwarz.  it is included on the LP   15 thoughts of Brinsley Schwarz.