These 14 Older Songs Are Radically Powerful and Are Just as Important Today
Music is one of the most beautiful creations that has even been bestowed upon the human race. With it, a person can express any emotion that inspires them to combine words with melodies. These songs are heavy on the former, relying on lyrics to send a powerful message to adoring fans and society at large.
These protest songs served as anthems to much larger movements or responded to a negative happening. In light of current events, we could probably use a few more of these in today's culture.
Eventually adopted as the anti-Vietnam War song, this song delivers the line that John Lennon has since become known most widely for. Recorded during a "bed-in" with his wife Yoko Ono, there is one clear, distinct message being sung.
"Let me tell you now // Ev'rybody's talking about // Revolution, evolution, masturbation, Flagellation, regulation, integrations, Meditations, United Nations, Congratulations"
"All we are saying is give peace a chance // All we are saying is give peace a chance"
The song mostly deals with events in Cooke's, the most unfortunate was being turned away along with friends from a 'whites only' hotel. It became an anthem during the American Civil Rights movement for the line "I know change is gon' come."
"It's been a long, a long time coming // But I know a change gon' come, oh yes it will"
"It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die // 'Cause I don't know what's up there beyond the sky"
Written in response to the Sunset Strip riots in 1966 by Stephen Stills, the song has long been mistaken as an anti-war song. Instead, this is in response to a curfew ordinance in Los Angeles at the time. However, it helped launch the careers of Stephen Stills and Neil Young, so for that we're thankful.
"There's battle lines being drawn // Nobody's right if everybody's wrong // Young people speaking' their minds // Getting so much resistance from behind"
"Fight the Power" serves as an anthem for underprivileged, underserved African American and urban culture. "Nothing but rednecks for 400 years if you check" is just one reminder of the unjustified division of power in America and it goes on from there.
"Got to give us what we want // Gotta give us what we need // Our freedom of speech is freedom or death // We got to fight the powers that be // Lemme hear you say // Fight the power"
Tired of police brutality, N.W.A. came straight outta Compton with a message that could be heard loud and clear. The title to the track clearly says it all, as the rappers had had it with what was going on in the streets. Their cry for justice against a corrupt police force gained attention from the FBI.
"Fuck the police coming straight from the underground // A young nigga got it bad cause I'm brown // And not the other color so police think // they have the authority to kill a minority"
Bob Dylan made a career off of protest songs and folk music, and none may be as popular or as powerful as this title track. It serves as a warning to, well, those against the changing of time.
"Come senators, congressmen // Please heed the call // Don't stand in the doorway // Don't block up the hall // For he that gets hurt // Will be he who has stalled // There's a battle outside ragin' // It'll soon shake your windows // And rattle your walls // For the times they are a-changin'"
Gaye questions the world around him in this track, that actually wasn't ever supposed to be made. Berry Gordy, founder of Motown, hated the track. Thankfully, Gaye released the eye-opening track on his own.
"Father, father // We don't need to escalate // You see, war is not the answer // For only love can conquer hate // You know we've got to find a way // To bring some lovin' here today"
Serving as an anti-war anthem, the theme of the lyrics centers around the subject of those who use military force without having to be a part of that cost (actually going to war) themselves. It was so influential the Library of Congress says it was, "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
"Some folks inherit star spangled eyes // Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord // And when you ask 'em, "How much should we give?" // Ooh, they only answer "More! More! More!", y'all"
On May 4, 1970, the Ohio National Guard fired on peacefully protesting students at Kent State University, wounding nine and leaving four dead. During an already tumultuous time in history with the uproar of the public outcry against the Vietnam War, unnecessary violence such as this only fueled activists' fire. Neil Young wrote the lyrics then recorded it with Crosby, Still & Nash.
"Tin soldiers and Nixon coming // We're finally on our own // This summer I hear the drumming // Four dead in Ohio"
The gospel song had been around for a long time before Pete Seeger got ahold of it, but the known folk singer and activist helped shaped it into the way we know it today. The simplistic lyrics made it a perfect song for any group facing adversity, but it rose to popularity during the civil rights movements of the 60s.
"We shall overcome // We shall overcome // We shall overcome, some day // Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe // We shall overcome, some day"
Written by a U.S. Air Force medic Bob Boardman, this is one of the most popular anti-war protest songs of the 60s. Performed live at Woodstock, Country Joe had the crowd spell out their disgust.
"Well, come on all of you, big strong men // Uncle Sam needs your help again // Yeah, he's got himself in a terrible jam // Way down yonder in Vietnam // So put down your books and pick up a gun // Gonna have a whole lotta fun"
"And it's one, two, three // What are we fighting for?"
The Bogside Massacre (AKA Bloody Sunday) was an incident that occurred in northern Ireland in 1972 when British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a protest, some of which were trying to help the those wounded. 14 were left died afterwards. This was U2's response:
"And the battle's just begun // There's many lost, but tell me who has won // The trench is dug within our hearts // And mothers, children, brothers, sisters // Torn apart"
"How long // how long must we sing this song"
The debut single from RATM is what put them on the map and is still considered their signature song. It serves as an outcry against police brutality. It's also unafraid to shy away from explicit language.
"Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses"
"And now you do what they told ya"
"Those who died are justified, for wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites // You justify those that died by wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites"
"F*ck you, I won't do what you tell me"
Struck by the poverty he saw while in Haiti, Marley teamed up with Peter Tosh to write this song in response to the devastation. Many Haitians fled in the early 70s to escape this. The song encourages those left to stand up for their rights.
Most people think // Great God will come from the skies // Take away everything // And make everybody feel high // But if you know what life is worth // You will look for yours on earth// And now you see the light // You stand up for your rights. Jah!"