Poetry --> Music and Beyond

For a generation starving for stimulation, the poetry of times past tends to fall short of the entry point for modern pop culture. Music and film have dominated the end the 20th century and into the new millenium.
A song that really catches the grudged nature of war and the way it strangles the common man is "Fortunate Son" by Creedance Clearwater Revival. Being released during the times to which it applied by a group of young men liable for drafting into the Vietnam War, the song already has the credentials to be believable. It contrasts different examples of classes ("senator's/millionaire's/military son") in American society whose sons would be able to escape the draft and thus be able to escape the war. After each example, the lead singer realtes back and states how "it ain't me", making him another forsaken eligible draft canditate.

Another song that speaks from the Cold War through to present day is "Redemption Song", by Bob Marley. Beginning with abstract description of his own life, he moves on to the chorus, which contains concise insightful views on world issues. "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds."
He makes a clear point on the concept of nuclear war, stating that we should "have no fear for atomic energy, 'cause none of them can stop the time." If it happens, it happens. If not life, then time will go on.
Although the song my contain concepts specific to the Rasta movement for which he is considered the prophet, these same concepts can be applied to numerous faiths, including ones not necessarily religious.