From the artist’s Bandcamp “When she walks, the revolution’s comin’In her hips, there’s revolutionWhen she talks, I hear the revolutionIn her kiss, I taste the revolution” These are lyrics to Bikini Girl’s tune “Rebel Girl”, widely considered the anthem of the riot grrrl movement. “The power of “Rebel Girl” is that it’s about being a feminist pirate, being an adventurer,” states Bikini […]
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“Don’t push me cause I’m close to the edgeI’m trying not to lose my headIt’s like a jungle sometimesIt makes me wonder how I keep from goin’ under” That famous chorus is from the landmark socially conscious tune “The Message” released in 1982 by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Before that time, rap music was known for its party […]
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X-Ray Spex at Rock-Against-Racism march/concert in London, April 1978. Via Andy Wilson, Flickr “Some people think little girls should be seen and not heardBut I think“Oh bondage, up yours”One, two, three, four” That is the intro to the 1977 incendiary single by X-Ray Spex. It is a statement of intent and a battle cry against female objectification. Due to what some […]
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Joni Mitchell was born on November 7, 1943. Her 80th birthday is an appropriate time to reflect on the considerable legacy of the Canadian singer-songwriter. She had a gift for writing introspective songs that tap into the human experience. Her music also reflected a social consciousness, especially during the later part of her career. Right now we will look at […]
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In 1955 Johnny Cash released the single “Folsom Prison Blues” a tune that resonated with inmates, many of whom wrote him letters requesting that he perform at their prison. The first time that Cash performed at a prison was at Huntsville State Prison in Texas in 1957. Afterward, he continued to perform several prison concerts. Cash long intended to record one of […]
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1967 Atlantic Record Promo Photo When determining whether or not a song meets the definition of a protest tune an important factor is intent. Often it is the intent of the songwriter. At other times it is the intention of the singer. It is possible to have two versions of the same song, and only one of the versions is […]
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Source: malvinareynolds.com “And the people in the housesAll went to the universityWhere they were put in boxesAnd they came out all the same” “Little Boxes” is an anti-conformist anthem composed by singer-songwriter and political activist Malvina Reynolds in 1962. The satirical tune critiques suburban housing development and middle-class conformity. It also popularized the term “ticky-tacky”. The song also received widespread […]
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John Lennon was no stranger to socially conscious music, contributing many notable tunes to the canon of protest songs. One of his standouts is “Working Class Hero” off of his 1970 album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono. While some of his songs might come across as simple sloganeering, “Working Class Hero” is an insightful social commentary on class splits and how society […]
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Source: Mrmw | Wikimedia Commons Music plays an integral role in filmmaking. When employed successfully it can create ambiance, even to the point of becoming an additional character in the movie. It can make an excellent film even more iconic. At other times an outstanding soundtrack to a forgettable motion picture can transcend the movie and even have a significant cultural […]
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Sinéad O’Connor (December 8, 1966-July 26, 2023) Photo courtesy of Man Alive, via Flickr The influential and controversial Irish singer-songwriter first received international success with her 1987 debut The Lion and the Cobra, which sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. Her 1990 follow-up I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got was even more massive selling over 7 million worldwide, and featured her mega-hit rendition of […]
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