Often in todays world the best way to express if people find something to be wrong with today, one of the most common mediums to express it is through song. Some of these songs are great and express great social commentary. However, the songs that stick with us the longest are generally songs about overcoming struggle; the moments when the world is quietly hoping for change, but one single singer(s) has the nerve to stand on a stage, open their mouth, and sing out against injustice. Here are some of my favourite protest songs.
We Shall Be Free - Garth Brooks
This was a great song by Brooks. The song is Garth telling a story of n ordinary man imagines a world where all human beings are free from earthly oppressions. Topics covered in this social commentary include: world hunger, freedom of speech, homelessness, homophobia, racism, and freedom of religion. Brooks would go on to perform this song at Equality Rocks which was a pretty big deal because he was the only straight person to perform there. The song has lines and verses that leave a deep impact on a person such as:
[YOUTUBE]KQ0DXLm5pd4[/YOUTUBE]
Ohio - Neil Young
This is my favourite Neil Young song and probably his best song ever. He sings about his reaction to the Kent State shootings in 1970. In the song Neil Young asks you, the listener to think about how you would feel if one of the 4 dead were related to you? It's truly a thought inspiring song.
[YOUTUBE]YdVMGKOFIwY[/YOUTUBE]
Clampdown - The Clash
Its lyrics comment on people who forsake the idealism of youth and urges young people to fight the status quo. The reference to "wearing blue and brown" could refer to the monochromatic military-style uniforms often worn by federal police forces in dictatorial regimes, specifically the all-brown uniform worn by members of Hitler's SA. The song is open to many differant interpretations but the final verse of the song seems to point towards the Nzi interpretation already mentioned.
[YOUTUBE]8wuYtHVhZnc[/YOUTUBE]
Those are my three. I ask to you:
What is your favourite protest song(s)?
Does the message of this song(s) mean something to you?
Honourable Mentions:
Boom - System Of A Down -A song rebelling against Militarism. This condemnation of rampant military spending in a world full of starving children gets bonus points for referencing Noam Chomsky, and for the group's hiring of Michael Moore to make the video.
2+2=5 - Radiohead - If you've read George Orwells 1984 then you'd know that this is a reference to the slogan as an example of an obviously false dogma one must believe, similar to other obviously false slogans by the Party in the novel. The song is rebeling against the idea of nomal people being watched by corrupt higher powers and having to believe what they are told.
We Shall Be Free - Garth Brooks
This was a great song by Brooks. The song is Garth telling a story of n ordinary man imagines a world where all human beings are free from earthly oppressions. Topics covered in this social commentary include: world hunger, freedom of speech, homelessness, homophobia, racism, and freedom of religion. Brooks would go on to perform this song at Equality Rocks which was a pretty big deal because he was the only straight person to perform there. The song has lines and verses that leave a deep impact on a person such as:
[YOUTUBE]KQ0DXLm5pd4[/YOUTUBE]
Ohio - Neil Young
This is my favourite Neil Young song and probably his best song ever. He sings about his reaction to the Kent State shootings in 1970. In the song Neil Young asks you, the listener to think about how you would feel if one of the 4 dead were related to you? It's truly a thought inspiring song.
[YOUTUBE]YdVMGKOFIwY[/YOUTUBE]
Clampdown - The Clash
Its lyrics comment on people who forsake the idealism of youth and urges young people to fight the status quo. The reference to "wearing blue and brown" could refer to the monochromatic military-style uniforms often worn by federal police forces in dictatorial regimes, specifically the all-brown uniform worn by members of Hitler's SA. The song is open to many differant interpretations but the final verse of the song seems to point towards the Nzi interpretation already mentioned.
[YOUTUBE]8wuYtHVhZnc[/YOUTUBE]
Those are my three. I ask to you:
What is your favourite protest song(s)?
Does the message of this song(s) mean something to you?
Honourable Mentions:
Boom - System Of A Down -A song rebelling against Militarism. This condemnation of rampant military spending in a world full of starving children gets bonus points for referencing Noam Chomsky, and for the group's hiring of Michael Moore to make the video.
2+2=5 - Radiohead - If you've read George Orwells 1984 then you'd know that this is a reference to the slogan as an example of an obviously false dogma one must believe, similar to other obviously false slogans by the Party in the novel. The song is rebeling against the idea of nomal people being watched by corrupt higher powers and having to believe what they are told.
