We have been creating political protest songs for centuries. Here are some of the best songs in protest songs in history:
1. Radiohead – ‘Idioteque’
Radiohead released this politically charged song in the year 2000. Their frontman, Thom Yorke, doesn’t explain his lyrics much, but the song is thought to be about climate change. Here are some of the lyrics:
“Ice age coming, ice age coming / Let me hear both sides
Let me hear both sides / Let me hear both”
“We’re not scaremongering / This is really happening, happening
We’re not scaremongering / This is really happening, happening”
2. Crosby, Stills, Nash, And Young – ‘Ohio’
Neil Young wrote this powerful protest song about the shooting at Kent State University in Ohio. On May 4, 1970, students were protesting against the U.S. Military being in Cambodia. The Ohio National Guard opened fire on the protest and four students were killed.
Here are some of the lyrics:
“Tin soldiers and Nixon coming, / We’re finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drumming, / Four dead in Ohio.”
3. Green Day – ‘Holiday’
This classic Green Day song is a four-minute middle finger to former President George W. Bush. Here is a sample of the lyrics:
“Zieg Heil to the president Gasman / Bombs away is your punishment
Pulverize the Eiffel towers / Who criticize your government / Bang bang goes the broken glass and
Kill all the fags that don’t agree / Trials by fire, setting fire
Is not a way that’s meant for me / Just cause (hey, hey, hey), just cause, because we’re outlaws yeah”
4. The Beatles – ‘Revolution’
I had to include them. The Beatles had many protest songs in their day, and John Lennon held plenty of protests when he was making music as a solo artist. Here are some of the lyrics:
“You say you got a real solution / Well, you know
We’d all love to see the plan / You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know / We’re doing what we can”
5. Queen – ‘I Want To Break Free’
This powerful song has been used as an anthem against oppression for decades, and it will likely be used for many years to come. Here are some of the lyrics:
“I want to break free / I want to break free / I want to break free from your lies
You’re so self satisfied I don’t need you / I’ve got to break free / God knows, God knows I want to break free.”
6. John Lennon – ‘Imagine’
This is one of the most beautiful protest songs ever written. It’s about looking at what could be if we could have a peaceful world. Here are some of the lyrics:
“Imagine there’s no heaven / It’s easy if you try / No hell below us
Above us only sky / Imagine all the people / Living for today… Aha-ah…”
7. Bruce Springsteen – ‘Born In The U.S.A’
This is a classic, powerful anthem against the country’s treatment of Vietnam Veterans. Many politicians made the mistake of using it on their campaigns when they were the ones Springsteen was talking about. Here are some of the lyrics:
“Born down in a dead man’s town / The first kick I took was when I hit the ground
You end up like a dog that’s been beat too much / Till you spend half your life just covering up”
“Born in the U.S.A. / I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A. / Born in the U.S.A.”
8. Rage Against The Machine – ‘Killing In The Name’
Warning: Explicit lyrics.
This is a powerful song that you can really pound your fist to. It is a protest against racism and police brutality that still holds up today. Here are some of the lyrics:
“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”
Listen to these anthems today, and remember that we will keep fighting for our rights.
Featured image via YouTube screenshot.
