7 greatest protest songs that stirred the nation’s soul

Music serves a multitude of purposes much like human emotions do. It communicates our profound feelings – happiness, love, sadness, or rage – more effectively than any other form of art. Personally, I find the most noble cause for music is to challenge inequalities and injustice. A skillfully composed anthem can ignite revolutions.

Many people might express disagreement due to the omission of familiar tracks they anticipated seeing in the list. However, be advised that “This Is America” by Childish Gambino and “American Idiot” by Green Day are not included. Rest assured, these songs carry strong messages and significance, but consider whether they truly touched the masses as a whole.

Inquire of someone casually on the street, and chances are they won’t recognize the song at first glance or even recall it later. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean these songs lack power. To me, an exceptional protest song should shape public sentiment. If it doesn’t stir up the cultural mood, then I believe it falls short. It’s worth noting that my selection of top-tier protest songs might not align with yours, but I am open to hearing your recommendations as well.

Protest music that fueled the movement

In 1953’s “The Wild One,” when asked about his rebellion, Marlon Brando’s character famously replied with “Whaddya got?” This catchy line was penned by screenwriters John Paxton and Ben Maddow. On the other hand, the artists mentioned below had distinct concepts they were challenging. They did so remarkably.

“Fight the Power”, Public Enemy, 1989

By the sweltering summer of ’89, Public Enemy had already stamped their mark on the music scene, not being there right at the kickoff, but barely missing the action. Their second album, “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back,” flew off shelves like hotcakes in its first month, managing half a million sales, all with minimal backing from Columbia Records. I guess they were more focused on passing out flyers for their record club. Yet, it eventually went platinum anyway.

In need of a powerful theme song for his film, “Do the Right Thing,” which tackles racial tensions in Brooklyn, director Spike Lee turned to Chuck D, Flavor Flav, and Terminator X. There wasn’t anyone more fitting for this task. The song, with its call to action against oppressive forces, was initially featured on the film’s soundtrack in June, followed by a standalone single release in July. As for John Wayne, I’ve long shared similar sentiments towards him.

“Born in the U.S.A.”, Bruce Springsteen, 1984

Without delving into politics, given our focus on protest songs, it seems appropriate to mention this. It appears that some individuals from the far-right group might not fully grasp lyrics, as Bruce Springsteen’s anthem has been transformed into a patriotic rallying cry, complete with flag waving.

Springsteen’s song, similar to “Fight the Power,” was initially composed for a movie back in 1981. However, the film collaboration didn’t materialize. Later on, it was unveiled as the title track for the 1984 album instead.

It’s not immediately clear how songs about enduring hardship, such as being treated like a mistreated dog or a veteran struggling after returning from Vietnam and ending up in prison, relate to feelings of patriotism. Similarly, it’s puzzling how listening to these types of songs might make someone feel particularly proud and patriotic enough to wear their American flag shirt on the Fourth of July. This misunderstanding likely arises when people only focus on the catchy choruses without fully considering the deeper, more complex themes in Bruce Springsteen’s music. Perhaps a better fit for his Vietnam-focused songs would have been the original working title, “Vietnam Blues.

“The World is a Ghetto”, War, 1972

This song is rarely mentioned among protest tunes, which leaves me puzzled. Admittedly, the group themselves have never categorized it as such. However, I struggle to see it as anything other than a commentary on displacement and seeking shelter, given its themes of roaming city streets and yearning for a place to call home.

As a gamer, sometimes I ponder if the ultimate joy in gaming – or life – can ever be truly grasped. It’s like being lost in a grand video game universe where philosophy and rhythm collide, with Kierkegaard, Spinoza, and maybe even a funky Latin soundtrack providing the background noise.

Just like many other bands, War underwent multiple transformations. They initially started as The Creators in 1962, then changed their name to Nightshift in 1968. In the year 1969, the talented Canadian singer Eric Burdon from the Animals joined them and together they became known as Eric Burdon and War – quite a catchy moniker!

Initially, their early albums achieved commercial success, but by 1971, Burdon had departed the band. The 1971 release “All Day Music” marked their breakthrough hit, featuring the single “Slippin’ Into Darkness.” Subsequently, they launched the top-selling album of 1972 titled “The World is a Ghetto. Regrettably, it remains so.

“Ohio”, Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young, 1971

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Vietnam became a significant focus for the anti-war movement. This period of protest gave birth to one of the most potent protest songs ever created. It’s astonishing to think about these events today, so for those not familiar with the history, it’s important to prepare yourself.

By the year 1970, demonstrations against the Vietnam War broke out at numerous universities across the United States, one of them being Kent State University in Ohio. These protests were primarily in response to President Richard Nixon’s declaration on April 30th that the U.S. was extending the war into Cambodia, which prompted the organization of these demonstrations.

On May 4th, tension remained palpable as students at Kent State continued their assembly for a fourth consecutive day. The Ohio National Guard was present to preserve order, but the situation escalated. Tear gas was deployed, stones were retaliated with, and ultimately, things deteriorated into chaos.

During an incident, American troops opened fire on American college students. Tragically, four students were killed, and nine more were injured. Shortly after, Neil Young – who was part of the band Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young – quickly wrote a response to this event. The song was recorded within a few days and was available in record stores before the end of the month. It’s worth noting that no one was ever convicted for the crime.

“Fortunate Son”, Creedence Clearwater Revival, 1969

In my previous statement, it’s worth noting that Vietnam sparked a significant wave of protests. John Fogerty’s iconic protest song performed an exceptional feat by serving two purposes. Not only did it voice opposition to the war itself, but it also criticized the deeply unjust distribution of those called to fight – the rich versus the poor in America. Essentially, Creedence Clearwater Revival was not just singing about a war between nations; they were protesting against the internal conflict within America.

Wealthy individuals and influential figures, essentially belonging to the same social stratum, have consistently found means to evade compulsory military service throughout history. In the U.S. Civil War era, the affluent circumvented conscription by either offering large sums of money to an unfortunate substitute or by bribing the authorities to secure their exemption.

During the Vietnam War, some individuals were able to obtain medical deferments simply for financial reasons, although this was illegal. This situation sparked immense frustration and anger, particularly among those who weren’t privileged enough to have influential connections, as aptly expressed by the song “I Ain’t No Senator’s Son.” The song reached number 3 on the charts.

“A Change Is Gonna Come”, Sam Cooke, 1964

It’s clear that the Vietnam War has been exhausting for me. Instead, let’s shift our focus towards an era more hopeful: the Civil Rights Movement. It’s interesting to note that in 1964, both private and public establishments were allowed to practice discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or national origin. This might seem shocking to some of you, but considering the times, it’s perhaps not as surprising as one might think.

Well, the monumental Civil Rights Act brought about significant changes in July of 1964. However, Sam Cooke, a popular sensation, lived in a starkly segregated era, unlike today. He was frequently denied entry to motels for whites only whenever he went on tour. Picture it as the setting of Green Book, minus the white savior figure.

Cooke composed an optimistic song for his album titled “Ain’t That Good News, which was released in February 1964. Interestingly, this song, initially a B-side, emerged as a single in December of that year. It’s possible that it served as an unexpected holiday gift to President Lyndon Johnson, who played a crucial role in passing civil rights legislation at the time.

“Strange Fruit”, Billie Holiday, 1939

It’s quite possible that a greater number of people have become familiar with Childish Gambino’s strong critique on gun violence or Green Day’s criticism of WDubya, rather than the Billie Holiday masterpiece “Strange Fruit.” Unfortunately, this means fewer people are aware of “Strange Fruit,” which powerfully condemns one of history’s most heinous crimes.

In a historical context as a Black gamer in 1939, expressing myself boldly was like daring to venture into an intense multiplayer game where a single misstep could mean elimination. Speaking up, even in casual interactions with whites, carried a risk that was life-threatening. Every glance, every word felt like a high-stakes move, and yet, I was compelled to speak out anyway.

It’s worth noting that Billie Holiday wasn’t your average person. By the year 1939, she had already been the lead vocalist for two highly influential jazz orchestras – Count Basie and Artie Shaw. Yet, her decision to perform a song, which was essentially a protest against lynchings, demonstrated remarkable courage.

Recall the recording company executives at Columbia who hesitated to produce the song due to potential backlash in the Southern states? They worked comfortably from their offices on Seventh Avenue in New York City, while Billie Holiday performed “Strange Fruit” in Birmingham, Alabama.

Fortunately, she was granted permission to record it for Commodore Records. Visualize a Black woman releasing a song criticizing lynching in 1939; such courage would likely earn her assaults in today’s world.

It appears that the creation of powerful protest songs might not be as common nowadays. But instead of attributing this to the songs themselves losing their impact, it could be that people’s ability to feel deeply touched has diminished. Perhaps it’s high time for us to revive that emotional resonance.

2025-08-26 13:00