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Favorite political lyrics/songs/albums?
Posted by RuinousRight • 4/20/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: albums, best, favorite, Lyrics, music, political, songs
What are some of your favorite political lyrics/songs/albums?
(Music about social issues, causes, politics, wars, freedom, people, etc.)
Some of ours...
"We can bomb the world to pieces, but we can't bomb it into peace"
- Michael Franti / Bomb The World
Pride (In the Name of Love)
- U2 (about Martin Luther King)
User Comments
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Manhattan Project by Rush (older song). It's about the building of the atomic bomb. -
Holy Wars...The Punishment Due by Megadeth. Coz erm...I like it and it fits in to what you asked for!-
That one is a bit intense, but it fits the bill. Also, the memory of your icon while reading the lyrics works!
It's a bit similar to:
"ARMAGEDDON DAYS (are here again)"
- The The (Matt Johnson)
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Wow... slow night. Was it American Idol, spoiled divas or booty-call hip hop that turned the brain to mush?
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"American Idiot" by Green Day is one of my favorites.
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Time to stir the pot... OR... shameless dialog spark...
Here are some more:
Singles:
Yell Fire!
- Michael Franti
Back in Vietnam
- Lenny Kravitz
Houston
- R.E.M.
Mandela Day
- Simple Minds
Biko
- Peter Gabriel
Masters Of War
- Pearl Jam
Gimme Some Truth
- John Lennon
Black Rain
- Ben Harper
Bullet The Blue Sky
- U2
Sunday Bloody Sunday
- U2
American Idiot
- Green Day
Albums:
Yell Fire!
- Michael Franti
Hail to the Thief
- Radiohead
We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
- Bruce Springsteen
Living With War
- Neil Young
Mind Bomb
- The The
At War With The Mystics
- The Flaming Lips
Who You Fighting For?
- UB40
Evil Empire
- Rage Against The Machine
Anyone out there? -
"Come To My Aid" and "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)" by Simply Red -
War by Bob Marley. Look it up and listen to it.
Also, I love Damian Marley's Welcome To Jamrock. -
Almost all of the songs by Rage Against the Machine. -
"Imagine" by John Lennon and "Pride" by U2. -
I never really liked the song but I thought "feel Like I'm Fixing to Die Rag' by Country Joe Mac at Woodstock was interesting.
Also Michael Franti made some interesting comments on Stay Human
08001 from Barcelona do it well. They sing in 3 languages ...this song is brilliant, it quotes a Bob Marley. They are above average in skill and very musical www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3nf6Ivu1Nw -
Just found this thread.
Anything by Bad Religion, their alblums Stranger Than Fiction and No Substance are their best. I believe their singer is a Prof. at Cornell. Great stuff, imagine Noam Chomsky set to music.
Let's see what else...off the top of my head
REM: Exhuming McCarthy, World Leader Pretend, How the West Was Won
Leonard Cohen: Everybody Knows, The Future, There is a War, Democracy
If you like Pink Floyd at all, try Roger Waters' "Amused to Death" an album abou war, the military indust. complex, political apathy, greed, religion etc.
Of course you mentioned Rage right?
Working Class Hero by John Lennon-
ooohh Hapless
"Leonard Cohen: Everybody Knows, The Future, There is a War, Democracy"
.. YES! And Of Lonesome Heroes, The Old Revolution, The Butcher, The Partisan... it is 2 am and I cannot remember it all clearly.
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Bob Dylan's only a pawn in their game....
A bullet from the back of a bush took Medgar Evers' blood.
A finger fired the trigger to his name.
A handle hid out in the dark
A hand set the spark
Two eyes took the aim
Behind a man's brain
But he can't be blamed
He's only a pawn in their game.
A South politician preaches to the poor white man,
"You got more than the blacks, don't complain.
You're better than them, you been born with white skin," they explain.
And the Negro's name
Is used it is plain
For the politician's gain
As he rises to fame
And the poor white remains
On the caboose of the train
But it ain't him to blame
He's only a pawn in their game.
The deputy sheriffs, the soldiers, the governors get paid,
And the marshals and cops get the same,
But the poor white man's used in the hands of them all like a tool.
He's taught in his school
From the start by the rule
That the laws are with him
To protect his white skin
To keep up his hate
So he never thinks straight
'Bout the shape that he's in
But it ain't him to blame
He's only a pawn in their game.
From the poverty shacks, he looks from the cracks to the tracks,
And the hoof beats pound in his brain.
And he's taught how to walk in a pack
Shoot in the back
With his fist in a clinch
To hang and to lynch
To hide 'neath the hood
To kill with no pain
Like a dog on a chain
He ain't got no name
But it ain't him to blame
He's only a pawn in their game.
Today, Medgar Evers was buried from the bullet he caught.
They lowered him down as a king.
But when the shadowy sun sets on the one
That fired the gun
He'll see by his grave
On the stone that remains
Carved next to his name
His epitaph plain:
Only a pawn in their game.
I think he really captures the time. I was not alive for it, but the lyrics really seems to capture everything I have read about those days. -
War (what is it good for) by Edwin Starr ... check out this groovy video, LOL
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZgHH72G8wQ
Don't ya love it when they sing ... and there's no band or back-up singers around? Gotta love the 70s, LOL. Great song tho.-
Did Rare earth do that one too?
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WAR by Edwin Starr -
Gotta go back to the 60s for a lot of stuff, though there's some good punk and hip hop too. My brain isn't coming up with titles this early in the morning, though.
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El pueblo unido. Hands down.
The people united will never be defeated
and also M.I.A. - Bucky done gun
Can I get control
Do you like me vulnerable
I'm armed and I'm equal
More for for the people -
Anything Rage but "Killing the Man" certainly.
"Blowing in the Wind"
and of Course Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" The Green day album for sure - there are so many really.
Also a little cited song by Jack Johnson - "Crying Shame".
By now we should know
How to communicate instead of coming to blows
We're on a roll
And there ain't no stopping us now
We're burning under control
Isn't it strange how
We're all burning under the same sun
By now we say it's a war for peace
It's the same old game
But do we really want to play?
We could close our eyes it's still there
We could say it's us against them
We can try but nobody wins
Gravity has got a hold on us all
We try to put it out
But it's a growing flame
Using fear as fuel
Burning down our name
And it wont take too long
Cause words are burning same
And who we gunna blame now?
And oh, it's such a crying crying crying shame
It's such a crying crying crying shame
It's such a crying crying crying shame, shame, shame
By now
It's beginning to show
A number of people are numbers who aint coming home
I can close my eyes it's still there
Close my mind be alone
I can close my heart and not care
But gravity has got a hold on us all
It's a terrific price to pay
But in the true sense of the word
Are we using what we've learned?
In the true sense of the word
Are we losing what we were?
It's such a tired game
Will it ever stop?
Is not for me to say
And is it in our blood?
Or is it just our fate?
And how will this all play out
Out of sight, out of mind
And who we gunna blame?
On and on
It's such a crying crying crying shame
It's such a crying crying crying shame shame shame
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0u8SOxbhCk -
Where have all the flowers gone? by Pete Seeger-
Yes,
I actually just found that one and was looking through different versions.
I also just found out Pete Seeger (a member of the communist party) testified in front of HUAC, where "he was willing to talk about his own political beliefs, but refused to name other members of the various left-wing groups that he had belonged to over the years.
I knew he was sentenced to prison but I can honestly say I never really knew why - though vaguely, in the back of my mind I knew it had to due with something like this.
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Bruce Cockburn's entire Stealing Fire album-
Agreed! Pretty much his whole career has some great stuff. You've never Seen Everything is another great political album of his.
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Blowing in the Wind and Masters of War by Dylan
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Good choices. ^5
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My Back Pages (the original Dylan version had more verses - but LOVE the version the Byrds did):
Crimson flames tied through my ears
Rollin' high and mighty traps
Pounced with fire on flaming roads
Using ideas as my maps
"We'll meet on edges, soon," said I
Proud 'neath heated brow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.
Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth
"Rip down all hate," I screamed
Lies that life is black and white
Spoke from my skull. I dreamed
Romantic facts of musketeers
Foundationed deep, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.
In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand
At the mongrel dogs who teach
Fearing not that I'd become my enemy
In the instant that I preach
Sisters led by confusion boats
Mutiny from stern to bow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now. -
We're with you KDawg! -
Also wanted to add Dylan/the Byrd's doing "Chimes of Freedom" - again, the Byrds version has infectuous harmony to it. These are my favorite bits:
Flashing for the warriors whose strength is not to fight
Flashing for the refugees on the unarmed road of flight
An' for each an' ev'ry underdog soldier in the night
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.
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Tolling for the searching ones, on their speechless, seeking trail
For the lonesome-hearted lovers with too personal a tale
An' for each unharmful, gentle soul misplaced inside a jail
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.
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Tolling for the aching ones whose wounds cannot be nursed
For the countless confused, accused, misused, strung-out ones an' worse
An' for every hung-up person in the whole wide universe
An' we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing. -
Peace Sells, But Who's Buying?-
Wasn't that Megadeath?
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Yep.
I changed my mind though, this one by Metallica is an excellent commentary on limiting free speech:
Do you see what I see?
Truth is an offence
You silence for your confidence
Do you hear what I hear?
Doors are slamming shut
Limit your imagination, keep you where they must
Do you feel what I feel?
Bittering distress
Who decides what you express
Do you take what I take?
Endurance is the word
Moving back instead of forward seems to me absurd
Doesnt matter what you see?
Or into it what you read
You can do it your own way
If its done just how I say
Independence limited
Freedom of choice
Choice is mad for you my friend
Freedom of speech
Speech is words that they will bend
Freedom with their exception
Do you fear what I fear?
Living properly
Truths to you are lies to me
Do you choose what I choose?
More alternives
Energy derives from both the plus and negative
Do you need what I need?
Boundaries overthrown
Look inside to each his own
Do you trust what I trust?
Me, myself and i
Penetrate the smoke screen I see through the selfishlie
Doesnt matter what you see
Or into it what you read
You can do it your own way
If its done just how I say
Independence limited
Freedom of choice
Choice is mad for you my friend
Freedom of speech
Speech is words that they will bend
Freedom with their exception
Do you know what I know?
Your money end your wealth
Your silence just to hear your self
Do you want what I want?
Desire not a thing
I hunger after independence lengthen freedoms ring -
Watch out! Lars and the boys might come after you for reproducing their lyrics without permission or paying them : O
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Haha bring it on.
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My favorite political Metallica songs were from the ..And Justice For All album - One, the title track - that sort of thing.
Master of Puppets rules as well.
Chelle - you were so born for Guitar Hero and Rock Band - Megadeath and Metallica feature prominently on Guitar Hero as well. Hangar 18, Symphony of Destruction - and they both kick ass. -
Hehe, the kids have Rock Band and all of the Guitar Hero games for the PS3 now.
I don't play, I am just a groupie. Finally, music to bridge the generation gap, eh?
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Survival - Bob Marley -
REM (Michael Stipe, actually) writes my favorite political songs. I love Stipe's lyrics because they are poetic more than straight-forward, but you can get what he's driving at. This is one of my favorites:
[Exhuming McCarthy]
You're beautiful more beautiful than me
You're honorable more honorable than me
Loyal to the Bank of America
It's a sign of the times
It's a sign of the times
You're sharpening stones, walking on coals
To improve your business acumen.
Sharpening stones, walking on coals,
To improve your business acumen.
Vested interest united ties, landed gentry rationalize
Look who bought the myth, by jingo, buy America
It's a sign of the times
it's a sign of the times
You're sharpening stones, walking on coals
To improve your business acumen.
Sharpening stones, walking on coals,
To improve your business acumen.
Enemy sighted, enemy met, I'm
addressing the realpolitik
Look who bought the myth, by jingo, buy America
"Let us not assassinate this man further Senator,
you've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir?
At long last, have you left no sense of decency?"
We're sharpening stones, walking on coals
To improve your business acumen.
Sharpening stones, walking on coals,
To improve your business acumen.
Enemy sighted, enemy met, I'm
addressing the realpolitik
You've seen start and you've seen quit
(I'm addressing the table of content)
I always thought of you as quick
Exhuming McCarthy
(Meet me at the book burning)
Exhuming McCarthy
(Meet me at the book burning) -
And then there is this:
ABRAHAM,MARTIN & JOHN by Dion Di Mucci
Has anybody here seen my old friend Abraham?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people, but it seems the good they die young
I just looked around & he's gone
Has anybody here seen my old friend John?
Can you tell me where he's gone
He freed a lot of people, but it seems the good they die young
I just looked around & he's gone
Has anybody seen my old friend, Martin?
Can you tell me where he's gone
He freed a lot of people, but it seems the good they die young
I just looked around & he's gone
REFRAIN:
Didn't you love the things they stood for?
Didn't they try to find some good for you & me?
And we'll be free
Someday soon.
It's gonna be one day
Has anybody seen my old friend, Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone
I thought I saw him walking up .over the hill
With Abraham, Martin, & John-
Ugh. LOVE that one. Now I must listen to it.
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Public Enemy- 911 is a joke
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHpFfgCiagE
Eminem - White America
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu-clni8BLY
Marvin Gaye- What's Going On
I am from the Hip Hope Generation..... -
If you want political whiny lyrics, look no further than the eMotive CD by A Perfect Circle. -
I'm shocked no one has mentioned Operation Mindcrime - the definitive 80's hair-band politically fueled "rock opera."
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Nice. Queensryche is awesome. Loved that album. Never thought of it as political but I can see what you're saying.
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it was all about politics.
"7 years of power, the Corporation's claw - the rich control the govt., the media, the law. To make some point of difference, then everyone must know - eradicate the fascists, revolution will grow."
"Everybody needs, but no one wants to see, the way society - keeps spreading the disease."
"...the rich get rich, and the poor stay poor while the cops get paid to look away as the 1% rules america."
"..picked to displace the leaders countering objectives - a target for the new society."
Nobody did 80's politics better than slightly feminine male hair bands.
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Another one: "Handsome Johny" - Ritche Havens. Unfortunately, he could add a couple more verses to this song.
lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/h/handsomejohnny.shtml -
Dylan from "It's Alright Ma, I'm Only Bleeding"
Disillusioned words like bullets bark as human gods aim for their mark to make everything from toy guns that spark to flesh colored Christs that glow in the dark; it’s easy to see without looking too far that not much is really sacred.
John Lennon from "Working Class Hero"
Keep you doped with religion, and sex and TV, and you think you’re so clever and classless and free, but you’re still f---ing peasants as far as I can see. -
"Won't Get Fooled Again" by the Who. "Gimme Some Truth" by John Lennon. "This Land is your Land" by Woody Guthrie.
I liked the satire "Rapmaster Ronnie" (otherwise known as "Ronald Reagan's Message to Minorities") done around 1983. While the satire obviously is dated now, none of my friends in high school could listen to a record being scratched in a rap song without thinking "Al, for gosh sakes! Debby Boone gave me that album personally!" -
"American Pie"Don McLean (1972).It is very torturous trying to remember all those lyrics.-
Mike, I am not American but I really loved American Pie by Don McLean. And still do.
However it really didn't have any political content. It was marking the tragic deaths of Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper and Buddy Holly in a light plane crash in 1959. The entire music world stopped still on that terrible day, the day the music died.
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BECAUSE ALL MEN ARE BROTHERS
Peter, Paul & Mary
Because all men are brothers, wherever men may be,
One union shall unite us, forever proud and free.
No tyrant shall defeat us, no nation strike us down,
All men who toil shall greet us, the whole wide world around.
My brothers are all others, forever hand in hand,
Where chimes the bell of freedom, there is my native land.
My brothers' fears are my fears, yellow, white or brown.
My brothers' tears are my tears, the whole wide world around.
Let every voice be thunder, let every heart be strong
Until all tyrants perish our work shall not be done.
Let not our memories fail us, the lost years shall be found.
Let slavery's chains be broken, the whole wide world around -
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