The history of protest music has no shortage of topical songs written in response to current events. The advent of the internet makes it easier than ever to immediately release a protest song.
“Come On Now” by The Family Feud is an example of this. The Family Feud includes husband and wife Steve and Colleen Murphy, who are also part of Canadian indie quartet Westminster Park. Steve Murphy was inspired to compose the tune after reading the news on September 12, 2018.
The tune is a scathing indictment of Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who was recently elected on June 29, 2018. The song was in response to Doug Ford using a rarely used notwithstanding clause to try to overturn a court decision preventing him from reducing the size of Toronto City Council.
The clause allows the government to override some of the rights and freedoms found in Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedom. This provision was designed to be used in exceptional circumstances, and there are fears this will set a dangerous precedent.
There are also those that feel that Ford’s motives have nothing to do with trying to make the government more efficient. Ford is being accused of taking the action to seek retribution on past political opponents. His actions could potentially have an effect on upcoming elections taken place on October 22, 2018.
Ford’s administration has also been widely criticized for scrapping a basic income pilot program and scrapping the updated sex-ed curriculum, which was introduced in 2015. A number of teachers are challenging Ford by refusing to teach the out of date 1998 curriculum.
Even though the song may have been written with Ford in mind, lyrics such as “The pig headed fascists” and “Nepotistic cretins” can apply to a number of corrupt politicians and governments.
Lyrics such as “Now that they’re elected / By marginal degrees / Our democracy’s infected / Their egos the disease” also has a universal resonance.
The chorus of the song features the following call to action: “Come on now / We’ve taken things for granted / We’d better stop it now.”
Much needed words of wisdom for the times we’re living in.