This is the second video posted to the recently launched Ongoing History of Protest Songs YouTube channel. I’ll be posting at least one video a week. The first video focused on the best protest tunes of the 2010s, and subsequent videos will focus on the 90s, 80s, 70s, and 60s. These videos were based on articles that I wrote for […]
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As we get closer to the US Presidential election there has been a spike in protest music. Much of the music released is either directly aimed at Trump or discusses the importance of voting. As with the previous months, there is also music that addresses issues of systemic racism, police brutality, and a variety of other social concerns. Also, in […]
Learn more →80 Years of Protest Songs Part 1: 1939-1958 80 Years of Protest Songs Part 2: 1959-1978 80 Years of Protest Songs Part 3: 1979-1998 The aftermath of 9/11 ushered in a new chapter for protest music. The Iraq war and George W. Bush became the Vietnam & the Nixon for the 2000s. The 2010s brought in a renewed emphasis in […]
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 →Some would argue that social media is a powerful platform for protest and social change. Others would contend that it encourages passiveness and it actually hinders meaningful political activism. This subject was addressed by the song “Slackvivist” by Desparecidos (a side project of Bright Eyes Conor Oberst). “Slacktivist” addresses those that delude themselves into thinking they are activist because they […]
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