What are the best protest songs ever?

[rhino47]

War pigs of course or
If you love your uncle sam bring them home by pete seeger

[Richardo]

1. "For What It's Worth" will always be my favorite.

[NewJeffCT]

48. It's probably my favorite as well

The last part still applies today:

Paranoia strikes deep
into your life it will creep
it starts when you're always afraid
step out of line, the man comes
and takes you away

[Perry Logan]

60. One of the greatest songs ever.

[Blue_In_AK]

66. That's the first one that popped into my mind.

As relevant now as it was then.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

2. Golden Ribbons by Kenny Loggins.

It's almost impossible to track down the lyrics, but I think I have them somewhere if you don't know the song. It came from the 'Nam era, and is just as relevant today. It's not "protest" so much as anti-war, but there it is.

Here is an excellent anti-war song web site, BTW. An excellent place to start looking.

http://www.lacarte.org/songs/anti-war/

[rhino47]

14. I do not remember it .Thanks for the link.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

53. Here are the lyrics --

GOLDEN RIBBONS
(Kenny Loggins/Jim Messina)
Loggins and Messina
Listen to the people crying
Hoping for the day they'll be free
I don’t have to tell you we're (they're) dieing
Just wake up, take a look, what do You see?
I see young men my own age in coffins
And mothers in tears for their sons*
And sweethearts and wives
Alone with their memories
And golden ribbon’s those fortunes of war
Thousands and thousands
Shall gather together
To seek and find the Way we all need
And the son will bring (backhanded glory) us together
Hallelujah
and rid ourselves of the pain we all see
We see young men our own age in coffins
And Mothers in tears for their sons
And Sweetheart’s and wives
Alone with their memories
And golden ribbon’s those fortunes of war
What does it to avail a man
To gain fortune
And lose his soul?

[Blue_In_AK]

67. That's a great song.

I used to have the album it was on. I can see the cover, but can't think of the title.

[Rambis]

3. Country Joe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5btZWbViPA

[Frosty1]

4. The times they are a changin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARoNENPSIGw

[Highway61]

5. Masters of War

Dylan

[Mad_Dem_X]

16. My vote as well

I also like "For What It's Worth" and "Ohio."

[SCantiGOP]

63. Definitely, Masters of War

I love the bitterness and lack of compromise in the last verse:

And I hope that you die,
And your death will come soon.
I'll follow your casket
On a pale afternoon.
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your death bed.
And I'll stand over your grave till I'm sure that you're dead.

[Heidi]

76. Agree completely.

:thumbsup:

[HEyHEY]

6. Where have all the flowers gone

[MrCoffee]

7. "Sam Stone" - John Prine; "The Great Compromise" - John Prine

almost anything by John Prine

[rhino47]

12. I forgot about John Prine.

Its been a long time since Ive listened to him.I will have to youtube him

[Inchworm]

65. Mine too

Heres Flag Decal. I love the comments he makes at about 3:00.

:hi:

[NoGOPZone]

8. I Ain't Marching Anymore - Phil Ochs nt

[Crazy Dave]

9. War Pigs - Black Sabbath n/t

[Bennyboy]

10. We can bomb the world to pieces.....

But we can't bomb it into PEACE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICL-4Onk0PA

[rhino47]

15. Great video!

Thanks

[Bennyboy]

17. Michael Franti is the man......

The vid was done by someone else to the music of the song....

[Bennyboy]

20. Time to Go Home....SPEARHEAD!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSeuLsNV4CA&mode=related&search= The official release....

[rhino47]

21. Did Michael Franti do a film about Iraq?

I know im not alone or something like that?

[Bennyboy]

25. "I'm Not Alone" is the title...

About his visit to Iraq and Afghansitan. very moving flim. It is avaiable for groups....http://www.spearheadvibrations.com/activate.php

[rhino47]

51. Thanks for the link

Amazing.I am linking it to everyone I know.

[Iris]

11. Fortunate Son - Creedence Clearwater Revival

"I ain't no senator's son"

http://www.creedence-online.net/lyrics/fortunate_son.php

[QueenOfCalifornia]

30. I have that

On my iPods A-List - the list I listen to the most.

[NMDemDist2]

32. rumor has it that was written with Al Gore JR in mind n/t

[ellisonz]

41. Nope

Snoped: http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/fortunate.asp

[Bennyboy]

13. The Last To Die......Bruce Springsteen.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWxrw4PHmPg

[rhino47]

18. Very Haunting tune !

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN LYRICS

"Last To Die"

We took the highway till the road went black
We marked Truth Or Consequences on our map*
A voice drifted up from the radio
We saw the voice from long ago

Who'll be the last to die for a mistake
The last to die for a mistake
Whose blood will spill, whose heart will break
Who'll be the last to die for a mistake

The kids asleep in the backseat
We're just countin' the miles you and me
We don't measure the blood we've drawn anymore
We just stack the bodies outside the door

Who'll be the last to die for a mistake
The last to die for a mistake
Whose blood will spill, whose heart will break
Who'll be the last to die for a mistake

The wise men were all fools
What to do

The sun sets in flames as the city burns
Another day gone down as the night turns
And I hold you here in my heart
As things fall apart

A downtown window flushed with light
Faces of the dead at five (faces of the dead at five)
A martyr's silent eyes
Petition the drivers as we pass by

Who'll be the last to die for a mistake
The last to die for a mistake
Whose blood will spill, whose heart will break
Who'll be the last to die

Who'll be the last to die for a mistake
The last to die for a mistake
Darlin' your tyrants and kings form the same fate
Strung up at your city gates
And you're the last to die for a mistake

[Bennyboy]

24. People wonder where all the protest singers are..

They are still aorund. Bruce has a zillion songs you could call "protest" songs. Spearhead? The most exciting group going. Franti is an incedible human being. Check out his video of his trip to iraq. really really really good.

Steve Earle. Awesome.

[NightWatcher]

19. Fallujah by David Rovics

http://www.davidrovics.com/

His entire catalogue is downloadable for free from the author.

[The2ndWheel]

22. Anything that can sell a product on TV

Remember kids, the corporation always wins. Learn it, live it, love it.

[kwassa]

23. I Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die Rag

Country Joe & the Fish

sung with great cheer:

Come on all of you big strong men
Uncle Sam needs your help again
he's got himself in a terrible jam
way down yonder in Viet Nam so
put down your books and pick up a gun we're
gonna have a whole lotta fun

(CHORUS)
And it's one, two, three, what are we fighting for
don't ask me I don't give a damn, next stop is Viet Nam
And it's five, six, seven, open up the pearly gates
ain't no time to wonder why, whoopee we're all gonna die

Come on generals, let's move fast
your big chance has come at last
now you can go out and get those reds
cos the only good commie is the one that's dead and
you know that peace can only be won when we've
blown 'em all to kingdom come

Come on wall street don't be slow
why man this war is a go-go
there's plenty good money to be made by
supplying the army with the tools of its trade
let's hope and pray that if they drop the bomb,
they drop it on the Viet Cong

Come on mothers throughout the land
pack your boys off to Viet Nam
come on fathers don't hesitate
send your sons off before it's too late
and you can be the first ones on your block
to have your boy come home in a box

[Mugu]

45. My all time favorite anti-war song. n/t

[Colorado Progressive]

26. Sunday Bloody Sunday....my fave U2 song. nt

[SPKrazy]

29. awesome song!!!!!

I agree

:woohoo:

[MaggieSwanson]

46. Have you seen this on YouTube?

*WARNING* Commander Bunnypants is the vocalist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kKN92DASn0

[Colorado Progressive]

64. WoW! That was great.

Somebody spent a lot of time on that!!!

[Bennyboy]

27. Morning Dew......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_74a6Xn3HMs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIazEis6EWg

Thought I heard a baby cry...This morning.....

[Bennyboy]

28. Military Madness....CSN&Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z45qaK5yFoY

[QueenOfCalifornia]

31. American Idiot and Sweet Neo Con

Both are great --- I love The Rolling Stones even more for doing Sweet Neo Con.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

33. Flo and Eddie

Keep it Warm

[Roon]

34. Country Joe Mcdonald

Next stop is Vietnam...

[simpleone]

35. I think....

Country Joe and Phish- I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die Rag

is one of the best protest songs of all time.

[Bennyboy]

36. Phish is a seperate thing entirely......

Country Joe and the Fish.....

[simpleone]

37. That's what my aunt said

but I was going with the version I knew

[BrklynLiberal]

55. Excellent choice...

Yeah, come on all of you, big strong men,
Uncle Sam needs your help again.
He's got himself in a terrible jam
Way down yonder in Vietnam
So put down your books and pick up a gun,
We're gonna have a whole lotta fun.

And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam;
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

Well, come on generals, let's move fast;
Your big chance has come at last.
Gotta go out and get those reds —
The only good commie is the one who's dead
And you know that peace can only be won
When we've blown 'em all to kingdom come.

And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam;
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

Huh!

Well, come on Wall Street, don't move slow,
Why man, this is war au-go-go.
There's plenty good money to be made
By supplying the Army with the tools of the trade,
Just hope and pray that if they drop the bomb,
They drop it on the Viet Cong.

And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam.
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

Well, come on mothers throughout the land,
Pack your boys off to Vietnam.
Come on fathers, don't hesitate,
Send 'em off before it's too late.
Be the first one on your block
To have your boy come home in a box.

And it's one, two, three
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam.
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.


Welcome to the official World Wide Web home of the 60s band that stopped the war in Vietnam. Bring flowers, godseyes, and boxes of air.
http://www.well.com/~cjfish/

[Aristus]

38. "War" by Edwin Starr. Although Bruce Springsteen's live cover from the

1985 tour barely edges out Starr's original. Staggering piece of music; both versions.

[NewJeffCT]

47. Both versions are great

I had always respected Springsteen more than liked him until I heard him cover that song.

[Bennyboy]

56. Both are great....

Edwin Starr http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZgHH72G8wQ

and the Bossman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DIp7ew_z8I&mode=related&search=

[Kutjara]

39. For sheer "whatcha got?" rejection of everything...

Rage Against the Machine's "Killing in the Name Of" takes some beating. Not long on carefully thought-out political polemic, but it more than compensates with a certain amount of primal energy and threat.

Guns & Roses "Civil War" has its moments, too.

[Mutley]

40. 99 Luftballons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngl7U-L3YLk

:headbang:

[ellisonz]

42. Fortunate Son

[riverdeep]

43. 'Eve of destruction' by Barry McGuire.

Unfortunately, still relevant.

The eastern world, it is exploding
Violence flarin’, bullets loadin’
You’re old enough to kill, but not for votin’
You don’t believe in war, but what’s that gun you’re totin’
And even the Jordan River has bodies floatin’

But you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don’t believe
We’re on the eve
of destruction.

Don’t you understand what I’m tryin’ to say
Can’t you feel the fears I’m feelin’ today?
If the button is pushed, there’s no runnin’ away
There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave


And you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don’t believe
We’re on the eve
of destruction.

Yeah, my blood’s so mad feels like coagulatin’
I’m sitting here just contemplatin’
I can’t twist the truth, it knows no regulation.
Handful of senators don’t pass legislation
And marches alone can’t bring integration
When human respect is disintegratin’
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin’

And you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don’t believe
We’re on the eve
of destruction.

Think of all the hate there is in Red China
Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama
You may leave here for 4 days in space
But when you return, it’s the same old place
The poundin’ of the drums, the pride and disgrace
You can bury your dead, but don’t leave a trace
Hate your next-door neighbor, but don’t forget to say grace
And… tell me over and over and over and over again, my friend
You don’t believe
We’re on the eve
Of destruction
Mm, no no, you don’t believe
We’re on the eve
of destruction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39ESOKkU1ho

Interestingly, a conservative group, 'The Spokesmen', issued their own response to this song. Showing that conservatives haven't been at the reality table for some time.

The Dawn of Correction

The western world has a common dedication
To keep free people from Red domination
And maybe you can't vote, boy, but man your battle stations
Or there'll be no need for votin' in future generations

So over and over again, you keep sayin' it's the end
But I say you're wrong, we're just on the dawn of correction

There are buttons to push in two mighty nations
But who's crazy enough to risk annihilation?
The buttons are there to ensure negotiation
So don't be afraid, boy, it's our only salvation

So over and over again, you keep sayin' it's the end
But I say you're wrong, we're just on the dawn of correction

You tell me that marches won't bring integration
But look what it's done for the voter registration
Be thankful our country allows demonstrations
Instead of condemnin', make some recommendations
I don't understand the cause of your aggravation
You mean to tell me, boy, it's not a better situation?

So over and over again, you keep sayin' it's the end
But I say you're wrong, we're just on the dawn of correction

You missed all the good in your evaluation
What about the things that deserve commendation?
Where there once was no cure, there's vaccination
Where there once was a desert, there's vegetation
Self-government's replacing colonization
What about the Peace Corp. organization?
Don't forget the work of the United Nations

So over and over again, you keep sayin' it's the end
But I say you're wrong, we're just on the dawn of correction
But I say you're wrong, we're just on the dawn of correction

So over and over again, you keep sayin' it's the end
But I say you're wrong, we're just on the dawn of correction



Doesn't it sound like the retro version of 'why do you hate America?'

[retread]

44. A Change is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke, Blowin' in the Wind - Bob Dylan n/t

[abq e streeter]

52. Blowin in the Wind

yeah, maybe the greatest of em all, even beyond the two I listed below...

[lightningandsnow]

49. SUV by The Cliks (rather obscure, but very good)

The world is changing,
not for the better,
it is unravelling,
just like a sweater,

I saw a picture in a magazine,
CIA, father, son, the monarchy,
they say there's threat to the democracy,
they're fucking liars, they're fucking liars...

Even my heroes drive SUV's
Even my heroes drive SUV's
What can I do to make my own ends meet?
I'm selling out

Now everytime I turn the TV on,
somebody's playing all my favorite songs,
Corprate seduction of my memories,
now it's a jingle

And now the war becomes our new sitcom,
campaign of terror eating from their palms,
the price of oil's going through the roof,
But we're still buying, and we're still driving,
Yeah we're still buying, and we're still driving...

Even my heroes drive SUV's
Even my heroes drive SUV's
What can I do to make my own ends meet?
I'm selling out

I love this song - it's totally atypical for them, they never write protest songs.

[abq e streeter]

50. Kill For Peace - by The Fugs; Washington Bullets- by The Clash

[mulsh]

54. Do you think that the Russians want war? by Dick Gaughan

Billy Bragg also covered this song:


Do you think that the Russians want war?
These are the parents of children who died in the last one
Do you think that it's possible, knowing their past
That they'd ever consider repeating the last
When 20 million were slaughtered by Nazi invasion?
They died fighting on our side, you know,
In a fight to defend humankind
Against Nazi terror and hatred

In the name of humanity, bitterly torn
In the name of our children as yet to be born
Before we do that which can never be undone I beg of you
Think, think again, and again and again and again and again

Do you think that the Russians want war?
They're the sons and the daughters of parents who died in the last one
Do you think that they'd want to go through that again
The destruction, the bloodshed, the suffering and pain?
In the second world war out of every three dead one was Russian
If we try with all of our power
Can we not find a way
To peacefully settle our difference?

Do you think that the Russians want war?
Will the voice of insanity lead you to total destruction?
Will you stumble to death as though you were blind?
Will you cause the destruction of all humankind?
Will you die because you don't like their political system?
There will be no survivors you know
No one left to scream in the night
And condemn our stupidity

[meow2u3]

57. Sting's "Russians"

In Europe and America, there's a growing feeling of hysteria
Conditioned to respond to all the threats
In the rhetorical speeches of the Soviets
Mr. Krushchev said we will bury you
I don't subscribe to this point of view
It would be such an ignorant thing to do
If the Russians love their children too

How can I save my little boy from Oppenheimer's deadly toy
There is no monopoly in common sense
On either side of the political fence
We share the same biology
Regardless of ideology
Believe me when I say to you
I hope the Russians love their children too

There is no historical precedent
To put the words in the mouth of the President
There's no such thing as a winnable war
It's a lie that we don't believe anymore
Mr. Reagan says we will protect you
I don't subscribe to this point of view
Believe me when I say to you
I hope the Russians love their children too

We share the same biology
Regardless of ideology
What might save us, me, and you
Is that the Russians love their children too

[dancing kali]

58. One Tin Soldier

nt

[Dukkha]

59. WWIII - KMFDM

I declare war on the world
War in outer space
I declare war in a nutshell
War all over the place

I declare war on every government
War against all odds
I declare war on your inner sanctum
On your blood thirsty gods

I declare war on the axis of morons
All out war on complacent consent
I declare war on the war against drugs
Rape and Slaughter of the innocent

War on big brother
Warmongers and profiteers
War on your dogma dubya
Armageddon's engineers

War in a heartbeat
I declare war on so-called civilization
World trade globalization
Organized desinformation

War on ambassadors of pretense
War on MTV and CNN
Macdonald's walt disney and bethlehem
On christina britney and eminem

I declare war on the world of anti-choice
On violent unilaterality
On the amassment of murderous high-tech toys
And all crimes against humanity

War on the moral majority
On corparate.com imperialism
On mindlessly bumbling stupidity
And police-state terrorism

Worldwar three - be all that you can be

[Perry Logan]

61. Anything by Dylan

[Liberalynn]

62. Blowing In the Wind

[New Earth]

68. MANY MANY SONGS BY MUSE

[Carrieyazel]

69. Nasty Shrub (can't think of the artist)

[Burma Jones]

70. Blowin in the Wind - even little kids can sing along........

[sakabatou]

71. Traveling Soldier - Dixie Chicks

[applegrove]

72. Brothers in Arms by Dire Straights, Army Soldier by Kate Bush, Alice's Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie.

[Bennyboy]

73. Steve Earle.......The Revolution Starts Now......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG8ZUaLACZ8

[GoneOffShore]

74. And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda

by Eric Bogle

http://www.pogues.com/Releases/Lyrics/LPs/RumSodomy/Waltzing.html for the lyrics

& Here for the song itself http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYynHmE8b0

The best anti war song EVER!

[Orsino]

75. "Won't Get Fooled Again"

A protest song against protest songs, in part, and doubly sad for it--even as it remains defiant.

[Inchworm]

77. Wild Irish Rose - George Jones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPKe3xaVdIA

The fallout of it all...

:hug:

:hi:

[bridgit]

78. Whitey On the Moon v1...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5smPcN8AoE

[bridgit]

79. Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz9sjMGUM9k

[bridgit]

80. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReIEDHMu0Zw

[bridgit]

82. Bob Dylan - The Times they are A-changin' -1965...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8rD1GpIgpo

[Inchworm]

83. A fave Dylan!

so real...

but.. this speaks...

"I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow"

Hidden.

:hug:

thanks!

[bridgit]

84. Then take me disappearin' through the smoke rings of my mind

Down the foggy ruins of time, far past the frozen leaves
The haunted, frightened trees, out to the windy beach
Far from the twisted reach of crazy sorrow
Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free
Silhouetted by the sea, circled by the circus sands
With all memory and fate driven deep beneath the waves
Let me forget about today until tomorrow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRbeUnn-AUA :hi:

[Inchworm]

85. I'll share with you, Maggie

It goes well with tamborines :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMxJFsyR85o

I ain't gonna work for Maggie's ma no more.
No, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's ma no more.
Well, she talks to all the servants
About man and God and law.
Everybody says
She's the brains behind pa.
She's sixty-eight, but she says she's twenty-four.
I ain't gonna work for Maggie's ma no more.


:hi:

[Inchworm]

81. We need to explore

We are runnin outta room with all this fuckin goin on :D

Infinite reproduction cannot sustain in finite space.. er some crap like that.

:hide: