Tom Paxton is quoted by John McCutcheon as saying that some of the songs which contain topics from current events may be only relevant when those events are in the news....the term used to describe these songs is
"short shelf life" songs.

some songs which include information about news items
do become universal and appeal for a longer time..
"Small Circle of Friends" is a song about a woman
who was murdered as several people looked on, but
no one was able to stop the crime or report it..
this song, although inspired by one event, has
a timelessness about it as well.

Correct me if i am wrong here, but "circle" is by
Phil Ochs if i remember correctly...of course that
was from back in the 60's and we all know......