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Now that our world is mostly ruled by severely retarded men and -women, it is time to ignite the revolution. After all, the world of music has a massive history of protest songs. Pretty much everyone can easily imagine or remember the images from artists, singing about and protesting the Vietnam war (for example). But protest is not just something for long-haired, marijuana smoking hippies. The black metal community also mainly exists because of protest, in their case a fight against Christianity and its tyranny over Scandinavia. In a way, it seems like political and religious rulers haven't been behaving that well over the ages, and if there is someone to rub it their faces, it's these musicians. So here we go, fifteen songs with a middle finger as big as the statue of Liberty...
(* - Yes, there are more parts coming. Apparently, we just love protest songs and apparently, there is plenty to protest against...)
(* - Yes, there are more parts coming. Apparently, we just love protest songs and apparently, there is plenty to protest against...)
Neil Young - Rockin' In The Free World
Neil Young allegedly was furious when Donald Trump used this song to kick off his campaign (although that might just have been licencing issues, according to Rolling Stone). Yet, it's a well-known fact that Young is a Bernie Sanders supporter. With references towards war, fossil-fuels, the homeless, drug addiction and so on, this 1989 song has easily become thé ultimate rock-protest song of the nineties. Besides, it's still extremely relevant today...
Pink Floyd - Money
Arguably the best band that has ever walked on this planet, Pink Floyd was no stranger to protesting. The entire 'The Wall' album is a massive statement about social isolation. Yet, I'd like to pick this song, 'Money', about capitalism and the way money controls our daily lives. Yes, I know, that absolutely is the case today, but this song was released in 1973. You'd think that people learn something once in a while, no?
Metallica - Disposable Heroes
Even the biggest band in the world is no stranger to protesting. In fact, protesting is pretty much what made Metallica rich. Their first albums were loaded with songs about the atrocities of war, about politics and about social justice. 'Disposable Heroes' is one of my all-time favorite Metallica tracks. Back in the days, I knew the lyrics to this and many other Metallica songs by heart and maybe, just maybe, Metallica helped shaping my opinions towards today's society.
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Redemption Song
Oppression, slavery and resistance have always been a big part of the reggae genre, and one of the most breathtaking pieces of music in that scene is 'Redemption Song' by Bob Marley. His oeuvre consisted of protest songs, including the massive hit 'Get Up, Stand Up' but also of songs about the only solution for all of today's problems: love. Marley preached love and that is why he is probably one of the most respected musicians of all time.
Billie Holiday - Strange Fruit
Protest songs are timeless. It seems like people have been singing these songs ever since they invented music. In the beginning of the modern era of music, blues and jazz musicians have immediately started protesting against slavery, racism and all forms of social injustice. One of the most eerie highlights of these genre, is Billie Holiday's 'Strange Fruit', about a lynched black man hanging from a tree. That was 1939, things haven't changed that much...
Archive - Fuck u
A lot of people allegedly thought that Archive's 'Fuck U' had something to do with a broken heart or a faded love affair but nothing is further from the truth. This song is a raging assault on people like Tony Blair and George Bush. In an interview with IndieLondon Archive commented: Fuck U came together easily. Darius heard the Rhodes part and kept playing it over again, so while he did that I started writing a ‘rant’ inspired that day by seeing Bush’s slimey face in the morning and that was that.
PF Project - Choose Life
Wasn't the whole Trainspotting movie a massive slap in the capitalists' faces? It was a mesmerizing movie about society gone wrong, and it contained this awesome song. A song millions of people have been dancing to, but apparently very few people have actually listened to the lyrics. Shame. Let's just hope Trainspotting 2 helps... Watch and listen to the trailer
Pussy Riot - Straight Outta Vagina
This one is for all the women in the world, because believe it or not, women are not being treated respectfully and equally. Although I do not consider myself a fan of their music, I respect bands like Pussy Riot and the entire so-called "Riot Grrrl' movement for standing up for themselves and each other. Of course, the story of Pussy Riot is well documented. They went to jail for fighting for equal rights. The fact that such a thing can happen, is a clear symptom of the current state of our society.
Al-Namrood - Bat Al Tha ar Nar Muheja
In Europe and America, anti-religious black metal bands are either laughed at or ignored by the powers that be. In the Middle-East, playing in such a band can have serious consequences, like jail or even execution. In that aspect, Al-Namrood is a band with balls of steel, fiercely blasting their anti-religious message through Saudi-Arabia and beyond. Every gig can be their last, can you imagine that? (read their Songs With Stories here)
Boudewijn de Groot - Welterusten, meneer de president
The protests against the Vietnam war were not limited to artists in the United States. European musicians almost immediately joined in. In Belgium and The Netherlands, this song by Boudewijn de Groot quickly became the number one protest song against war. Loosely translated, de Groot says "good night, mr President, don't dream about all the people you are murdering". Again, still incredibly relevant today.
Christina Aguilera - Beautiful
I know what you're thinking, "Christina Aguilera on Merchants Of Air?". Well yes, because this particular song, written by Linda Perry, is not only a breathtaking tearjerker, it's also a protest song against body-shaming, bullying and sexism. It's a song that teaches the listener to believe in her- of himself, regardless of the opinions of others. Well, dear listener, I can only respect that.
Dead Kennedys - Nazi Punks Fuck Off
A little less friendly, and even more brutal in Napalm Death's cover version, comes this nutsack-ripping punk song from Dead Kennedys. I don't think I have to explain what this particular song is protesting against, do I? Strangely enough, no matter what year we live in, this song remains incredibly up-to-date. So does the entire punk scene by the way.
Clawfinger - Nigger
Swedish rapcore band Clawfinger caused quite a stir with this song. Using the n-word was so not-done but - luckily - vocalist Zak made it easy to understand the lyrics and thus the real meaning behind the song title. 'Nigger', coming off the 'Deaf Dumb Blind' album is an obvious anti-racism statement, no doubt about that. So yeah, it deserves a place here, since racism can't be combatted enough.
Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name
Written about revolution against institutional racism and police brutality, 'Killing in The Name' is widely recognized as the Rage Against The Machine's signature song. Since its release in 1992 this song became a symbol of the anarchy-movement of the nineties. For many young rockers of that time, 'Killing in The Name' sparked an era of activism and civil disobedience. Of course, it also sparked the general use of the phrase "fuck you, I won't do what you tell me", but maybe we need that once in a while...
John Lennon - Imagine
We end this first part of Fuel The Revolution with an absolute classic, and perhaps the one song that shaped me as a person the most. John Lennon's 'Imagine' is one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded and it carries the most beautiful message ever as well. A message about love, egality and respect, that's all this world really needs.
