Phil Ochs quotes

And if there's any hope for America, it lies in a revolution, and if there's any hope for a revolution in America, it lies in getting Elvis Presley to become Che Guevara. (Phil Ochs)
Leaving America is like losing twenty pounds and finding a new girlfriend.
Phil Ochs
God isn't dead - he's just missing in action.
Phil Ochs
When they show the destruction of society on color TV, I want to be able to look out over Los Angeles and make sure they get it right.
Phil Ochs
The final story, the final chapter of Western man, I believe, lies in Los Angeles.
Phil Ochs
Does defending liberalism leave you friendless and perhaps wondering about your breath?
Phil Ochs
Call it peace or call it treason, Call it love or call it reason, But I ain't marching anymore!
Phil Ochs
It is wrong to expect a reward for your struggles. The reward is the act of struggle itself, not what you win. Even though you can't expect to defeat the absurdity of the world, you must make that attempt. That's morality, that's religion. That's art. That's life.
Phil Ochs
A protest song is a song that's so specific that you cannot mistake it for bullshit.
Phil Ochs
And I won't be laughing at the lies when I'm gone And I can't question how or when or why when I'm gone Can't live proud enough to die when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here.
Phil Ochs
I can spare a dime, brother, but in these morally inflationary times, a dime goes a lot farther if it's demanding work rather than adding to the indignity of relief. (Phil Ochs)
I'm gonna give all I've got to give Cross my heart, and I hope to live.
Phil Ochs
In the courtroom, watch the balance of the scales If the price is right, there's time for more appeals The strings are pulled, the switch is stayed The finest lawyers fees are paid And a rich man never died upon the chair.
Phil Ochs
One good song with a message can bring a point more deeply to more people than a thousand rallies.
Phil Ochs
I write all my own songs and they are just simple melodies with a lot of lyrics. They usually have to do with current events and what is going on in the news. You can call them topical songs, songs about the news, and then developing into more philosophical songs later.
Phil Ochs
America is two Mack trucks colliding on a superhighway because all the drivers are on amphetamines.
Phil Ochs
The painter paints his brushes black Through the canvas runs a crack Portrait of the pain never answers back.
Phil Ochs
Step outside the guidelines of the official umpires and make your own rules and your own reality.
Phil Ochs
So do your duty, boys, and join with pride Serve your country in her suicide Find the flags so you can wave goodbye But just before the end even treason might be worth a try This country is too young to die I declare the war is over It's over, it's over.
Phil Ochs
Show me the prison, Show me the jail, Show me the prisoner whose life has gone stale. And I'll show you a young man with so many reasons why And there, but for fortune, go you or I.
Phil Ochs
Well I've seen travel in many ways I've traveled in cars and old subways But in Birmingham some people chose To fly down the street from a fire hose. Doin' some hard travelin'...from hydrants of plenty. (Phil Ochs)
Smoking marijuana is more fun than drinking beer, But a friend of ours was captured and they gave him thirty years Maybe we should raise our voices, ask somebody why But demonstrations are a drag, besides we're much too high.
Phil Ochs
It's always the old to lead us to the war It's always the young to fall Now look at all we've won with the sabre and the gun Tell me is it worth it all.
Phil Ochs
I was over there, entertaining the troops. I won't say which troops.
Phil Ochs
In such ugly times, the only true protest is beauty.
Phil Ochs