Favorite Song of Political/Social Commentary or Protest

Some of my favourites have been mentioned (Marvin Gaye).

Off the top of my head:

Machine Gun - Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsies
A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
Fortunate Son - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Oliver's Army - Elvis Costello
The Eton Rifles - The Jam
Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud - - James Brown

Wikipedia has a large section on Protest songs:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_protest_songs

One that truly affected my view about my place in the world (it was hugely popular in the U.S. at an impressionable time in my life) is

I Am Woman -- Helen Reddy

Here's a link to the lyrics: http://www.lyricstime.com/helen-reddy-i-am-woman-lyrics.html

An anthem for equality for the female gender.... 8)

Margaret

The Slime From The Video Frank Zappa

The Times They are a Changin' - Bob Dylan (If only because no one could have possibly known how right he was when he released it in 1964)

This is a great thread! Y'all have reminded me of some great songs (and artists) that I hadn't thought of in years! Thanks to all of you!

:D

i don't think eve of destruction was covered by dylan.

i don't think eve of destruction was covered by dylan.

I think you're right, Jason! My bad! :D

Well, I'm kinda looking for one, but I don't know the name or artist. It was in the Dylan era, around the same time of Blowing in the Wind IIRC. The dude scored a hit with it but faded away pretty much afterwards. The song was bleak and sounded somewhat 'desperate'. Would appreciate if anyone knows what I'm rambling about.

Could it possibly be "Eve of Destruction", originally by Barry McGuire but covered by Dylan?

How curious ... as I read Arjen's post, and before I scrolled down, that tune popped into my head. Trans-global ESP?

Back on topic:

Fortunate Son - CCR
Washington Bullets - The Clash
Killing In The Name - Rage Against The Machine
If I Had A Rocket Launcher - Bruce Cockburn

Cortez the Killer - Neil Young
Piggies, Eleanor Rigby, Nowhere Man - Beatles
Richard Corey, I Am a Rock, Sounds of Silence- Simon & Garfunkle
Lucky Man - ELP
War - The Temptations
The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down - Joan Baez

On the lighter side, but nonetheless social commentary:

Flakes - Zappa (with an inspired Dylan impersonation)
Funky Western Civilization and Life in the Food Chain- Tonio K
Connecticut's for #@#%$@$@ - J. H. C. and the Four Hornsmen of the Apocalypse

Seems protest makes for a good song. Most of mine have been said ( I love 'Do the Evolution' - Pearl Jam). Off the top of my head, has anyboyd mentioned-

Bulls on Parade - Rage Agains the Machine
War Pigs - Black Sabbath
Civil War - Guns N Roses

How curious ... as I read Arjen's post, and before I scrolled down, that tune popped into my head. Trans-global ESP?

LOL! :D Yep, that must be it! It's the only plausible explanation I can see! :D

See, I knew you would halp me remember some other of my favorite protest-like songs. The Power of Equality is a great one by RHCP. Eve of Destruction was a no-brainer I missed. Someone mentioned "Connecticut's for F*&6ing" by Jesus H Christ and The Four Hornsmen of the Apocalypse, which is a very funny, biting tune...you should check it out if you haven't heard it.

I also missed one my favorites....Won't Get Fooled Again!!

This does bring back some memories. Some of my favorites have already been mentioned.

Anybody remember Chicago (We Can Change the World) by Crosby Stills and Nash?

Though your brother's bound and gagged
And they've chained him to a chair
Won't you please come to Chicago
Just to sing
In a land that's known as freedom
How can such a thing be fair
Won't you plaese come to Chicago
For the help we can bring
We can change the world -
Re-arrange the world
It's dying - to get better
Politicians sit yourself down,
There's nothing for you here
Won't you please come to Chicago
For a ride
Don't ask Jack to help you
Cause he'll turn the other ear
Won't you please come to Chicago
Or else join the other side
We can change the world -
Re-arrange the world It's dying - if you believe in justice
It's dying - and if you believe in freedom
It's dying - let a man live it's own life
It's dying - rules and regulations, who needs them
Open up the door
Somehow people must be free
I hope the day comes soon
Won't you please come to Chicago
Show your face
From the bottom to the ocean
To the mountains of the moon
Won't you please come to Chicago
No one else can take your place
We can change the world -
Re-arrange the world
It's dying - if you believe in justice
It's dying - and if you believe in freedom
It's dying - let a man live it's own life
It's dying - rules and regulations, who needs them
Open up the door
We can change the world

Also, maybe I missed it, but I did not see Ohio (Four Dead) either.

How about War Huh! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing! 8)

Another favorite I might have missed is Get Together by the Youngbloods. Beautiful song.

Love is but a song we sing
And fear's the way we die.
You can make the mountains ring
Or make the angels cry.
Though the bird is on the wing
And you may not know why.

C'mon people now
Smile on your brother
Ev'rybody get together
Try to love one another right now

Some will come and some will go
And we shall surely pass.
When the one that left us here
Returns for us at last.
We are but a moment's sunlight
Fading in the grass.

C'mon people now
Smile on your brother
Ev'rybody get together
Try to love one another right now

If you hear the song we sing
You will understand.
You hold the key to love and fear
In your trembling hand.
Just one key unlocks them both
It's there at your command
C'mon people now
Smile on your brother
Ev'rybody get together
Try to love one another right now
Right now Right now

Has anyone mentioned Black Eyed Peas' "Where Is the Love?" ?

Margaret

Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American) by Toby Keith
Rain on The Scarecrow by John Mellencamp
War Pigs by Black Sabbath
Have You Forgotten by Darryl Worley
Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2