The sixties were a period of cultural influence and rampant changes in politics and societal values. This period was a unique time in history when the old mixed with the new, and individuals during the time started looking towards the future rather than sticking with traditional ideas. Fashion and music were heavily influenced by the political and social state of the world, and this was reflected through the shift in art. This era saw the rise in different aspects of culture, including music, fashion, and social movements. 

           In the sixties, new genres of music surged as social movements gained momentum and ideologies among society shifted. Artists such as The Beatles and Bob Dylan climbed charts in rock and roll and folk music, inspiring the new generation of baby boomers.  

           Bob Dylan, a musician who gained popularity during the folk music revival in the United States, made music that reflected the political injustices in American society. Dylan’s anti-war song “Masters of War” was released in 1963 and was inspired by the Cuban missile crisis and fears of nuclear war.  

           “Masters of War” was written to protest the people profiting from war such as politicians and others in positions of power who Dylan thought were responsible for the immense amount of casualties in war. The song was also in protest of the arms race between the USSR and the United States and the buildup of nuclear arms by the United States. 

           “You that never done nothin’, but build to destroy, you play with my world, like it’s your little toy, you put a gun in my hand, and you hide from my eyes, and you turn and run farther, when the fast bullets fly,” Dylan says in the song. 

           Dylan’s music is even still popular today, with 17.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify, a popular music streaming site. His music also may have inspired other artists in the 2010s to create music that reflected social injustices such as Hozier who is an artist who incorporates folk elements into his music such as his song “Take me to Church,” which was a protest against religious control and social injustice. 

           Around the same time Dylan was creating folk music in the United States, a new band emerged in England called The Beatles. The Beatles consisted of four members: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The band was popular for their rock and roll music, which had gained popularity in the 50’s by musicians like Elvis Presley. The band gained fans from all over the globe and toured in Europe, America, and Asia. Like Dylan, The Beatles were known for their counterculture movement in the 60’s, often speaking out against social issues and incorporating it into their music. One of these songs, “Piggies” was inspired by author George Orwell’s Animal Farm and the song critiqued consumerism and social hierarchies.  

           “Piggies” was made to highlight the greed of the upper class. Written by George Harrison, the piggies were meant to symbolize the different classes with the “little piggies” representing the lower class and “big piggies” representing the upper class. 

           “Have you seen the bigger piggies, in their starched white shirts? You will find the bigger piggies, stirring up the dirt, always have clean shirts to play around in,” Harrison says in the song. 

           This verse is meant to represent the “bigger piggies” or upper echelons in society. “Bigger piggies, stirring up the dirt…” is meant to symbolize how the upper class are responsible for the suffering of the lower class. 

           Although The Beatles broke up in April of 1970, their impact can still be seen in artists in the 2000s such as Lady Gaga who said that The Beatles album “Abbey Road” inspired her debut album “The Fame” according to BBC Radio. The Beatles’ legacy lives on today through Paul McCartney, who still creates music and goes on tour across the globe.  

           As the music in the 60’s reflected the counterculture movement, fashion also became a way for individuals to protest societal norms and express themselves freely. 

           Lily Rothman wrote in Time magazine that “nearly every aspect of that revolutionary decade, from the civil-rights movement to the space race, was somehow reflected in the clothing worn by American women.” 

           Black and African inspired clothing also increased, as black models broke out during the 60’s inspired by the civil rights movement of this period. Black and African clothing continues to be popular today with clothing such as sportswear that could be worn everyday created by Will Smith in the seventies and luxury wear such as the brand Off White created by Virgil Abloh, a black fashion designer. 

           The second wave of the women’s rights movement inspired miniskirts which women saw as rebellion against societal norms and later pants were introduced due to the practicality as more women entered the work force. This was not the only reason women started to wear pants: many women saw it as a sign of their independence and equality in the workforce with men. In modern society, pants and miniskirts continue to be worn by women to signal their self-identity and independence.  

           The sixties was an era that was led by the youth who rebelled against societal norms. Paving their own way through society through self-expression in music and fashion during a time of social and political unrest and fears of the future. The sixties continued to be relevant decades later as society continued to be influenced by the era, pulling key messages and aspects that still apply to society today. As the years go on, the decade will serve as a reminder of when the youth shaped modern society through fashion and music.