Sunny War, from the artist’s Bandcamp
Back when I started the website in 2017 I included a list of the 50 Best Protest Songs (back when I was still presenting lists in numerical order. Since that time I opted not to make a list since I was creating a Spotify protest song playlist featuring music that appeared on the site. This year I decided to spotlight 50 notable socially conscious tunes. Most were from artists and albums that were previously mentioned but do include a few I haven’t had a chance to spotlight yet. Presented in alphabetical order by artist, also only one tune per artist.
Animal – Anjimile
This tune off the album The King explores the challenges of being a black trans person in America. It features the potent lyric “I heard ‘Blue Lives Matter’ from a white liberal / Piece of shit I couldn’t stand at all”.
It Must Change – ANOHNI and the Johnsons
This was the first single off Anohni’s 6th album My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross. The album cover is a tribute to queer rights pioneer Marsha P. Johnson and the music was inspired by Marvin Gaye’s 1971 classic protest album What’s Going On. This mournful tune confronts the cruel realities faced by the LQBTQ+ community while holding out hope for change.
Lucy Wan – Frankie Archer
This tune from the UK singer-songwriter’s debut EP Never So Red, flips the script of the traditional murder ballad empowering Lucy Wan.
Mindful Solutionism – Aesop Rock
The veteran underground rapper’s 9th album is a loose concept, focusing on a fictional tech company that markets algorithm-based lifestyle apps. On this tune, he insightfully chronicles the historical misuse of new technology and the current potential dangers.
Self Made Man – Rachel Baiman
This twangy and groovy tune is from Baiman’s album Common Nation of Sorrow and is based on an unfinished song fragment by John Hartford. She added additional verses, a chorus, and a bridge to flesh out the song’s relevant message of generational wealth and capitalistic greed,
Against The War – Beans on Toast
This tune was originally released as a single in February. It appeared on the UK single-songwriter December 1st released album The Toothpaste and Tube (since 2009 he has released an album on his Birthday). Like many of his past tunes, it is a poignant indictment of war. He makes it clear where he stands on the issue.
Sad Vampire (featuring Brian Ennals) – Blockhead
Appearing on The Aux, the latest album by the veteran hip-hop beat-maker, this hard-hitting track is an incisive examination of the ongoing history of systemic racism in America.
Pussy Riot – Gina Birch
This tune is off the long-awaited debut album I Play My Bass Loud from Gina Birch, the bassist and vocalist from influential UK post-punk group The Raincoats. “Pussy Riot” is an ode to the Russian feminist protest art collective of the same name.
Satanist – Boygenius
This tune by the supergroup isn’t necessarily meant to be an explicit protest tune, but the lyrics provide insightful social critiques in connection with not conforming to traditional societal norms.
The Sage Is On Fire (featuring Snotty Nose Rez Kids & Northern Cree) – Boogey The Beat
This explosive track off the debut album Cousins by the Anishinaabe DJ and producer is an excellent display of Powwow Step. This genre blends EDM with traditional indigenous musical elements. Featuring hard-hitting verses from Canadian Indigenous hip-hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids the tune proclaims judgment on those who destroy the environment for profit (“We just want clean water let that motherfucker burn”).
In Your Love – Tyler Childers
I was debating whether or not to include this tune, because it is primarily being included for the provocative video that depicts the story of a gay couple in the 1950s in rural Appalachia where they faced attacks from co-workers at a coal mine. But lyrics such as “It’s a long, hard war”, and “I will stand my ground” resonate in the ongoing battle for martial equality. Sometimes the act of love can also be an act of protest.
I Am The River, The River Is Me – Jen Cloher
The poignant title track off the album by the Australian-based singer-songwriter is based on a Maori proverb that denotes the idea of humanity collectively being a part of the planet.
Go As Free Companions – Dawn Ray’d
This tune by the UK anarchist black metal band conveys a rousing anti-fascist message that balances the bleakness that black metal is known for with a sense of optimism. The song was also previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
No One Owns Anything and Death is Real – Dead Pioneers
This tune is off the self-titled debut of the project featuring Indigenous artist Gregg Deal and Algiers guitarist Lee Tesche. This potent tune is a scathing indictment of corporate elitism.
A&W – Lana Del Ray
This tune has nothing to do with burgers and rootbeer, instead, it is an abbreviation for “American Whore”. Not explicitly political, but it is an insightful commentary on issues such as sexism, body image, and rape culture.
Workin’ On A World – Iris DeMent
The title track on the latest album by the veteran folk artist features the poignant verse: “I get up in the mornin’ knowing I’m privileged to be workin’ on a world I may never see.” It is a timely reminder that our actions and decisions now can have a significant impact on future generations.
Sete (featuring Brooklyn Youth Chorus) – Fatoumata Diawara
This tune off the Malian musician’s album London Ko, has a deceptively pleasant musical groove and warm vocal tones that are in contrast with lyrics that draw attention to the serious topic of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The accompanying video is powerful as well.
Run, Run, Run – McKinley Dixon
This tune off the socially conscious rapper’s album Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!? is intended to be more figurative than literal. Even though on a surface level it could work as a critique of gun culture, metaphorically it relates the story of a black boy who navigates through different stages of his life. It is a rousing tale of perseverance.
Good Guy – Dream Nails
This catchy track is off the UK feminist punk band’s sophomore album Doom Loop. It is a blistering denouncement of the self-proclaimed “Good Guy” who is a false ally and is complicit in the upholding of toxic patriarchal structures.
Erlking – Empty Country
This tune off the sophomore album of the project of former Cymbals Eat Guitars frontman Joseph D’Agostino covers a lot of ground lyrically. It opens with a provoking reference to Sand Hook “Those 20 kids should be visiting colleges.” It goes on to address other societal ills such as the indicting of rape apologists (“Forget who he molests, he’s a hell of a guy.”)
War Remains – Enforced
The title track off the metal’s third album is a thrash masterwork. It also resonates in a world that is plagued with conflict.
Kill Em Dead – Faintest Idea
This anthemic tune is off the ska-punk band’s fourth album Road To Sedition. It cleverly weaves the titles of socially conscious books and albums throughout the lyrics.
Expendables – Fake Names
This is the title track of the sophomore album of the punk rock supergroup that features lead vocals of Refused frontman Dennis Lyxzen, guitars from Minor Threat’s and Bad Religion’s Brain Baker, and S.O.A’s Michael Hampton. It also features Girls Against Boys Bassist Johnny Temple and Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty. The tune well articulates how the rich and powerful view the common folks.
Estranged Fruit (featuring NOFX) – Fishbone
This track is off the influential ska band’s recently self-titled EP, which was produced by NOFX’s Fat Mike. Referring to Billie Holiday’s 1939 classic anti-lynching standard “Strange Fruit“, the tune effectively merges past histories with current realities.
Mondo Tempo – Freak Heat Wave
Appropriately a group called Freak Heat Waves has a song about climate change. The title track of the 2023 album by the Canadian electronic duo features the lyrics “One degree worldwide, one degree worldwide…/Let’s realize it’s a crime/I think it’s a sign that it’s on the rise”. It resonates in the continued increase in wildfires in their native country and elsewhere.
Found – Fucked Up
The opening track of the veteran Canadian hardcore 6th full-length album One Day, this potent tune details how Indigenous people have been displaced and murdered to build highways and “temples of police and landlords to worship money.” Previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Cop Killer – Macy Gray & The California Jet Club
This reworked version of Body Count’s controversial tune sadly continues to resonate with its pointed declaration of “fuck police brutality!” Previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Saddest Worm Ever – HMLTD
This tune off the ambitiously weird concept album The Worm features a sci-fi narrative of a revolt against the corrupt worm-run government. The themes discussed can also apply to current conflicts and political uprisings. It also discusses how power corrupts.
Mount Meigs – Lonnie Holley
This tune from the 73-year-old acclaimed visual artist and avant-garde musician’s fourth album Oh Me Oh My, deals with his harrowing experience as a child in a a juvenile correctional facility. Previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Our Land Back – Irreversible Entanglements
Featuring poignant spoken word from the prolific poet/vocalist Camae Ayewa (Moor Mother), this tune from the avant-garde jazz ensemble album Protect Your Light addresses the struggles of those who have had their land dispossessed and have had their right to return denied.
Save The World – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
This sobering socially aware tune off the album Weathervanes refers to current social ills, including the Uvalde shooting (“somebody shot up a classroom again.”, “When you said the cops just let ’em die, I heard the shaking in your voice.”). The song balances a sense of mourning with optimism that the world can still be saved.
Vixen – Maelstrom & Louisahhh
This chilling tune off the duo’s album Sustained Resistance addresses body autonomy and denounces those who try to strip away women’s reproductive rights.
Run (featuring Bobby McFerrin) – Madison McFerrin
A highlight of the album I Hope You Can Forgive Me, “Run” was composed after McFerrin learned about an ancestor who fled slavery. The powerful lyrics are sung from the perspective of an abolitionist. It also includes vocal contributions from her father Bobby.
Lost In America – Israel Nash
This poignant tune off the singer-songwriter’s 7th album Ozarker was written about a family friend who was a Vietnam War vet. It compassionately chronicles his struggles post-war.
Hold Me Down – Noname
On this track from the album Sundial, the socially conscious rapper pulls no punches with provocative verses such as “We is Wakanda/We queen, Rwanda/First Black president, and he the one who bombed us.”
Pinking Shears – Mandy, Indiana
This propulsive tune off the album i’ve seen a way features French lyrics that translate into English as “frustration at the state of the world…the myriad of inequalities, everyday aggressions, and grievances that plague our existence in late stage capitalism“. There is also an excellent remix version featuring the alt-rap group clipping.
Lydia – Margo Price
A highlight of the country singer-songwriter 4th album Strays, this tune relates a harrowing tale of a woman who has lived a rough life and now has to make the difficult decision of whether or not to have an abortion. It resonates with the ongoing battle over women’s reproductive rights.
TERFs Out – Problem Patterns
This raucous tune off the debut album Blouse Club by the feminist Belfast punk band furiously rallies against transphobes.
DTA – Ragana
An abbreviation for “Death to America” this haunting tune off the metal duo’s album Desolation’s Flower features the perfect blend of mournful clean vocals and harsh angry dirty vocals. It articulates both the sadness and anger that many are currently feeling over the current state of America.
Safe to Run (featuring Hurray For The Riff Raff) – Esther Rose
The title track of the album by the country-folk singer fantasizes about escaping a world that is on the precipice of environmental catastrophe.
HEAD – Jeff Rosenstock
Like many of the tunes on the prolific indie punker 5th album Hellmode, “Head’ is the perfect encapsulation of the current state of chaos.
Baby Jesus Lying in the Rubble – David Rovics
The prolific singer-songwriter and activist regularly posts new protest tunes through his podcast This Week With David Rovics. During December he released several poignant tunes dealing with the situation in Gaza, many of which he plans on including on an upcoming album. This Christmas theme song reimagined the nativity scene taking place during the ongoing genocide.
Eve Was Black – Allison Russell
This potent tune off the Canadian singer-songwriter’s album The Returner, is based partly on her experience of being abused by her white adoptive father and partly based on the history of systemic racism.
Scabs – Speedy Ortiz
This tune from the indie band’s 4th album Rabbit Rabbit is a scathing protest directed at those who engage in performative politics. They will support a cause as long as there is no inconvenience, but the motive there is they will cross the picket line.
Whole – Sunny War
This tune perfectly summates the roots artist’s album Anarchist Gospel. The song is about resisting the pressure to conform to a capitalistic system. It is a timely reminder that “No pay could ever buy your soul/
Ever make you whole.”
What’s The Holy (Nobel) Today? – Voice of Baceprot
This blistering anti-war tune is off the debut album Retas by the Indonesian metal trio consisting of Muslim women. It is one of the more direct protest songs of the year and is sadly relevant.
Dzimba Dzemabwe – Winky D
This tune from the Zimbabwean musician’s album Eureka Eureka caused an uproar in his native country due to the scathing critique of a corrupt authoritarian government. Despite efforts to deplatform the song continued to resonate. Even though Winky D may have had his country’s government in mind, themes of political corruption and decolonization are a universal concern. Also, it doesn’t hurt that it has a catchy beat that you can dance to.
Year Zero (featuring Danny Brown) – billy woods & Kenny Segal
This tune featuring three underground hip-hop luminaries is a sobering reminder of current realities. The opening verse from woods includes the chilling sentiments “Sooner or later it’s gon’ be two unrelated active shooters” and “My taxes pay police brutality settlements”. The song was one of the highlights of the billy woods & Kenny Segal album Maps.
Done (Let’s Get It) – Yaeji
In the history of protest music, the hammer has symbolically been used to illustrate the tearing down of hateful ideologies to rebuild something better. This symbolism is effectively used by the New York-based South Korean artist on her album With a Hammer. The anthemic “Done (Let’s Get It)” could be viewed as the album’s mission statement. She uses the metaphorical hammer to “break it up and build it from what’s grounding us.”
Where I’m From (Featuring Pierce Jordan & Obioma Ugonna) – Zulu
This explosive tune is one of the many highlights from the powerviolence band’s debut album A New Tomorrow. The band addresses the challenges of being a black band in a predominately white genre. Despite “It’s been exclusion since the jump,” the band declares “We’ve been here/And we ain’t going nowhere.” The video is also a cool tribute to A Tribe Called Quest’s “Scenario” video.
Also feel free to check out the playlist of 2023 protest songs, featuring music featured on the site, including the songs on this list.