Best PROTEST SONGS...? (1 Viewer)

[Todd Hostettler]

My vote would be for Jimmy Cliff's Viet Nam.
Bob Dylan has been quoted in agreement.

 

[MichaelTa]

Throwing Stones Bob Weir, John Perry Barlow

Ohio, Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young

 

[Rachael B]

TRICKY DICK by Country Joe McDonald & The Fish. IF I DIE by Rare Earth. SEND YOUR SON TO DIE by Bloodwyn Pig. NATURES DISAPEARING by John Mayall. NATURE'S WAY & FRESH GARBAGE by Spirit. THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING by Chicago. WINTER IN AMERICA & THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED by Gil-Scott Herron. WAR PIGS by Black Sabath. GIVE IRELAND BACK TO THE IRISH by that insect type dude. COMPARED TO WHAT by Les McCann and Eddie Harris. PIGGIES by The Beatles.

 

[Jack Briggs]

Rachael: The "(I Feel Like I'm) Fixin' to Die" rag, from CJ and the Fishies' second album. Or go all the way back to Janis Ian's thing ("Society's Child," a lament on society's hostilities against interrracial relationships, from 1967 also—and "endorsed" on network television by Leonard Bernstein). Oh, there are so many cute gems in this genre. (Thanks for the thread, Dick.) JB

 

[Phil A]

Of course there is Earth Opera with "The Great American Eagle Tragedy" which is a little less known from the 60s or good old Johnny Paycheck protesting work with "You Can Take This Job and Shove it."

 

[Peter_A]

Does it have to be from the 60's and 70's? If not, I'd say Wake Up by RATM (which most people now seem to associate with the Matrix soundtrack) and also Vietnow by RATM.

 

[Mark Cappelletty]

Try Billy Bragg and Johnny Cash on for size.

 

[Andrew W]

Alice's Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie.

 

[Dick]

Actually, there's no reason to limit this thread to the 50's and 60's. I am sure there are more recent songs I may have missed hearing that make strong social statements - I'd love to compile a list from you all.

 

[Rachael B]

Jack, the Country Joe album that I stille listen to somewhat regularly is HOLD ON IT'S COMING. It's best protest song is MR. BIG PIG. SOCIETY'S CHILD is a good'un too. I liked Spooky Tooth's cover version too.
Dick, I'd say the overwhelming majority of protest music would be found in rap these days. It seems to be discouraged otherwise, maybe the biggest stars get away with a few protest songs...? Best wishes!

 

[Darren H]

There's just no excuse for this thread to go on so long without a single mention of:
Redemption Song by Bob Marley

 

[Jack Briggs]

Noted. You are correct.

And how about the schlocky "Eve of Destruction"?

 

[Jack Briggs]

And we should not overlook George Harrison's marvelous "Taxman," from Revolver by The Beatles.

 

[Blaine Skerry]

AMERICAN PIE

 

[Marvin]

Why would American Pie be considered a protest song? What is it protesting?

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

Try Billy Bragg and Johnny Cash on for size.

Speaking of, those who use MP3 file sharing programs, try seeking out a live version of Billy Bragg's Ideology. A really great performance.

 

[Blaine Skerry]

Why would American Pie be considered a protest song? What is it protesting?

I believe Don MacLean was "protesting" rock music's loss of innocence; rock music was becoming much more suggestive and "in your face" as opposed to the idealized love of the early rock era. That's my interpretation of it. I'm open to other viewpoints.

 

[John-Miles]

Well maybe its just me but i say what about "We didn't start the fire"

 

[cwhite]

"What's Goin' On" and "Inner City Blues" by Marvin Gaye.

 

[Rachael B]

I'll add a couple more, FORTUNATE SON by CCR and VOLUNTEERS by Jefferson Airplane.