“Hallelujah (So Low)” is from the Editors upcoming sixth studio album, Violence. With both the song and the album, the English rock band was heavily influenced by the current political climate. Concerning “Hallelujah (So Low)” specifically, lead vocalist Tom Smith made the following statement in a Billboard interview: “I wrote the words to “Hallelujah (So Low)” when I got back […]
Learn more →On February 14th, 2018, 17 people were killed during a Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida. When a mass shooting occurs it always seems to follow a similar pattern: thoughts and prayers, it is too soon too talk about gun control, followed by nothing ever changing. This time around there finally is a glimmer of hope that meaningful […]
Learn more →Kurt Cobain was born on February 20, 1967. If he was still alive he would be 51 years old today. Makes you wonder how today’s political climate would affect his music. Even though Cobain didn’t write too many direct protest tunes, much of his music possessed a keen social awareness. He was definitely against the macho attitudes that contributed to […]
Learn more →Courtney Barnett is critically acclaimed for her witty observations of the mundane. On her new single “Nameless, Faceless” that ability is still evident, but she also adds social awareness to the equation. The song tackles sexism and women’s fears of being victimized. This is done primarily by poignantly including the following Margaret Atwood quote: “Men are afraid that women […]
Learn more →“Thoughts and Prayers” is an unreleased tune from veteran indie rock band Dispatch, which they been performing live during their tour to support their 2017 album America, Location 12. During the song’s intro at their November 30, 2017 performance at the Fillmore in San Francisco, the band mention that the song was written in response to another mass shooting. It […]
Learn more →Legendary soul singer and civil rights activist Mavis Staples just posted the music video for the title track off of her 2017 album If All I Was Was Black (which was one of the Top 25 Protest Albums of 2017). The powerful video was directed by Zac Manuel. The video deals with the removing of confederate statues and what they […]
Learn more →Back in November 2016 I started writing a book on the historical developments of protest music tentatively titled 500 Songs of Protests. Writing about music’s link to a variety of protest movements while the US election was winding down and then witnessing the aftermath of the results, made for an interesting climate to write about this subject. Within this backdrop there […]
Learn more →“Justice” is a collaboration between jazz musician Trombone Shorty and funk band Dumpstaphunk. The New Orleans natives released this funky jazz fusion tune on Donald Trump’s inauguration day. The music video also features poignant imagery which blends well with the song’s lyrical message. Dumpstaphunk’s Ivan Neville made the following statement about the tune’s intent: “Inauguration day seemed to be an […]
Learn more →In the rich history of the American protest movement, The President of the United States has long been a target of the protest song. Because of the leftist leanings of many musical artists, Republican presidents are more of a target, but Democratic presidents have not been immune to these lyrical attacks either. At times musicians have courted controversy and have even […]
Learn more →Many localities throughout the world have recognized February 7th as International Clash Day. This is appropriate because, in today’s tumultuous political climate, The Clash’s music is as vital as ever. Right now we’ll consider just a small sample of their important contribution to the canon of protest songs. Also “Straight To Hell” was previously featured as a Daily Dose of […]
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