This year is going to require a lot of resistance and rebellion. Even if Chitler hadn’t been elected in America, there’s severe inequality, relentless right wing movements, and various bigotries that need good people to stand against.
Music is a necessity in these times. We need songs we can march to. Songs that get our blood pumping. Songs that fire us up. Songs that sustain us. Songs that tell us to get the fuck up and keep fighting when it seems hopeless. So let’s collect those songs here.
I’ll start with one my friend Ingrid posted. It’s pretty damn perfect.
Please add your own! It can be a song with words, or an instrumental. It can be loud or quiet, militant or reflective, any style whatsoever.
Here’s Strike Anywhere with “To the World”, something from my university days. Something in Latvian, Re:Public’s “Saule Sāk Aust” (“The Sun Begins to Rise”), translation available on request. And finally, “The Virus” by A Tribe Called Red, just a sample of their fine, fine music.
This selection is not particularly happy music, but it’s certainly – what’s the word – with propulsion. I know Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen no doubt have some more uplifting stuff out there, plus there’s Coheed & Cambria’s “Delirium Trigger”, but I like that one mostly for the chorus line (“Come know me as god!!!”). :)
(For the downtime moments, I offer “Barricade” by the Stars, Pink Floyd’s “The Gunner’s Dream”, and “Hello Birmingham” by Ani DiFranco. This last one, I can’t help but wonder…)
Ghosts of Cable Street is a good one IMO
Land of Confusion by Disturbed for the clip :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV4oYkIeGJc
The original by Genesis is pretty good as well :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlBIa8z_Mts
Lennon’s Power to the People?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wos-dDxpJlQ
Plenty of other possibilities but most so far one issue ones, ‘Pictures’ by Midnight Oil, “War what is it good for?” (may or may not be actual title?) or just perhaps a Pink Floyd one where sheep learn to use karate against the wolves at the end ..
(Is “If I Had a Hammer” too much of a classic?)
One specific issue and Australia specific but just seen – & heard – this in the news today too :
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-10/the-cat-empire-member-new-song-about-ms-dhu-death-in-custody/8172040
Not quite sure what the criteria are for “protest songs” whether it can be just the one specific issues or more general here but still.
Remind of Dylan’s classic “Hurricane” song against unjust racially based imprisonments and abuses.
Oh & the Pink Floyd song I mentioned in #3 is Sheep :
http://www.pink-floyd-lyrics.com/html/sheep-animals-lyrics.html – you can listen to this on youtube as well.
Also suggest the song ‘Political Prisoners’ by Insurge which you can also hear on youtube too here :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-Wt-Q5Q_gk
One of a whole strong album of protest songs “Power to the Poison people”” from back in the 90’s (?) really, their ‘I.M.F.’ is great too. WARNING : Lots of swearing.
Cannot resist adding one more :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40w7nhMFVLk
Pictures Oils. Very Aussie, bush warrior, quote at end spot on everywhere.
Okay, really trying not to be a thread hog but how could I forget this one? (Facepalm) :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgcxd9wtXUE
Old classic.
Also another Aussie classic :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eti99nV3gCk
or two :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N5ZsCGjUz0
That sorta fit the bill here and are among my all-time faves.