Control - Janet Jackson

Stand By Me - Ben E. King

When nationalizing the Suez canal, Egypt was attempting to reclaim sovereignty. Britain and France were upset by this defense against colonialism and got Israel to start a war with more colonialism. Egypt was defeated but still stood up to colonialism as the UN did not agree with the European countries.

The Bay of Pigs was a great embarrassment for the US, specifically President JFK and the CIA. An attempt was made to overthrow Fidel Castro and his government in Cuba, but the US found that the exiles trained for the event were no match for Castro's military force.

The song’s message of leaving behind a toxic relationship reflects how the Soviet Union began to change. During De-Stalinization, censorship was reduced, political prisoners were released, and freedom of speech was enforced. Just like how Taylor realizes they deserve better, the Soviet citizens were starting to hope for a more open and fair government. The upbeat but firm tone of the song matches the way the country was trying to move forward. It wasn’t an easy or smooth transition, but it showed that the USSR was done with Stalin’s ways, just like Taylor Swift was done with her exes.

Operation Rolling Thunder was a bombing that lasted for years affecting Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. It was supposed to weaken the enemy(communist countries)because of the amount of hate the US had for communism. The song helps listeners feel the fear and helplessness caused by so much destruction done by the US. The lyrics also suggest that there was a silence from leaders who didn’t want to admit the war wasn’t going well, and from citizens who didn’t fully understand what was happening.

Soldiers turned against their country( the US) after experiencing the horror and tragedies of the Vietnam War The lyrics and emotional tone match the personal battles soldiers went through during and after the war. It also reflects how the Vietnam War caused people to question what it really means to be a “hero.” Many soldiers came home with PTSD and felt disconnected from the country they fought for. Overall, the song doesn't just talk about war made makes you deeply think about how the soldiers were living and fighting during these times.

Money Trees - Kendrick Lamar

The fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 needed the Cold War and led to freedom for many countries that had been under Soviet control. It was a moment when people fought for change, spoke out against justice and pushed for independence. This led to the Soviet Union not being able to handle the pressure from those on the inside and outside. The song's powerful beat and message match the feelings of hope and courage during the Soviet collapse.

Domino -Jessie J

The Iranian Revolution was the overthrow of the Shah, someone strengthened by the CIA to prevent "communism" from Mossadegh. Exiled cleric Ayatollah Khomeini built an army of religious followers outraged by the Shah, and had fans upset with the authoritarian rule. The Shah definitely pandered to the US government and sacrificed the resources of his country for Western approval. As the Shah left Iran, people tore down images and idols of him everywhere. Upon the allowed return of Khomeini, he and his army took over Iran.

With it being very dangerous to supply an "unfriendly" country like Iran with weapons, the US also did not follow congressional orders and handed funds to the Contra rebels because they were against communism. These secret events broke the trust of the American people and exposed the US for trying to make the most of a situation they were not supposed to be in.

This song fits because it talks about how people in power will do anything to stay in control, even if it hurts others. After the coup, Guatemala wanted to make sure there were no leftist parties that would somehow alarm the US into thinking they were communist. The soft and serious tone of the song shows how controlling the world can seem calm on the outside, but underneath there’s pressure and harm. This event is a good example of how the Cold War wasn’t always about freedom, but only control.