Protest Songs of Today?

[LittleNelson90x13]

Does anybody know any good protests songs from recent history. I know all the ones from the 60's and such. It's for a school project.

[Crybaby Bunting]

Tom Morello had a single a while back that might be what you're looking for

EDIT: or whatever you call that RATM guy >_>

Edited May 5, 2008 by The General

[livid]

The Nightwatchman would be a good start, yes.

But to be honest, I can't think of anything that would be considered a protest song these days unless it involves Morello in some way, shape or form.

Well, take that back. One could probably consider Year Zero protest songs in a way, I guess.

Edited May 5, 2008 by Autopilot

[Tarheels.]

I guess you could call "When The President Talks To God" by Bright Eyes a protest song. It's talking about the wrongs that Bush has done.

[IAceI]

You mean it's not for a mix-CD?

I call shenanigans.

[GRIFT]

http://www.axisofjustice.org/music.htm

[METALMAN]

I would go with Bright Eyes as well. That's all I can think of really, unless Serj Tankian counts.

[Vendetta]

Against Me did a song called "Protest Song" I believe.

[Nerf]

Anti-Flag?

[nWoHollywood]

I remember that Eminem did a Song called mosh which was a big protest against G.W. Bush.

[Guest Mr. Potato Head]

Neil Young's entire "Living With War" album.

[METALMAN]

That's a great one. Neil Young is probably the definitive writer of protest songs. I should have remembered he's still releasing music. :/

[New Damage]

"God We Look Good (Going Down In Flames" by The Exies. It was released around the same that Paris Hilton got sent on vacation to jail, and is about that kind of thing, socialites, culture, selling out, porn/sex etc.

the video -

And insert any Rise Against song here.

Edited May 5, 2008 by TheModernWay

[tristy]

I don't think Year Zero counts, as an album, as a song full of protest songs. Right away, "Capital G" strikes someone as a protest song against Bush and the entire administration. "Survivalism" could probably be a protest song about the lack of environmental laws, or whatever. The only other song I could think of that would fall into this category is "In This Twilight".

[Quom]

John Vanderslice writes shit loads of protest songs. Not necessarily aimed at the government though, quite a few are aimed at society or whatever. Most of Bright Eyes last two albums have been protest songs. Bloc Party's hunting for witches. M.I.A's album pretty much, Ani DiFranco, Josh Ritter (although he's more about where we're heading if we continue down our path), Bruce Springsteen's newer stuff.

There have been countless songs/albums/artists in the past few years.

[Iain76er]

Billy Bragg. You have to sift out the love songs, but there are plenty. Take Down The Flag is the first one off the top of my head.

The last two Roots albums have quite a lot of protest/political songs.

Anti-Flag have already been mentioned.

The King Blues.

Public Enemy released a new album recently and they are the kings of protest. Better than that Bob Dylan shit.

Edited May 6, 2008 by Iain76er

[New Damage]

I forgot, "Civil War" by Guns N' Roses.

[YI]

Against Me did a song called "Protest Song" I believe.

"White People For Peace". And it seems a hell of a lot more of a song about "Protest Songs"...and a war in general...and "who the fuck cares about protest songs" kind of thing...than actually being a protest song. It might be an interesting one to include in this project, about the 'success' of protest songs.

Anti-Flag?

I honestly can't think of an Anti-Flag song I'd class as a 'protest song'. Yes, they have politically charged tracks, but for me there's a slight difference between a 'protest song' and a 'political song'. For example, "Lucifermotorcade" by Strung Out, it's a political song, it's an anti-Bush song...but it's not a 'protest song' in my eyes. Then again, it might be just to the wishy-washy nature of Anti-Flag's lyrics that I haven't felt/noticed it. Also, I don't particuarly listen to much Anti-Flag these days, so there might be stuff I don't know of.

And insert any Rise Against song here.

Again...now...Rise Against are a funny one. They have a lot of politically charged lyrics and a lot of not political lyrics. Now, if you watch a lot of their most recent videos then you could very well rank them as protest tunes, as they're rallying on behalf of something SPECIFIC (which is what I see a protest song as), however, you have the problem that their videos have FUCK ALL to do with what their songs are about. They have a few songs that could be classed as 'protest songs'...but half of the time they're just 'politically charged tracks' for me...maybe I'm at fault for 'seperating' the two.

Anyways, if you're checking out Rise Against and Anti-Flag, give Propagandhi, Ignite, Authority Zero, Bad Religion, Pennywise, Strike Anywhere and NOFX (eugh) a listen.

For me, a protest song has to be about something 'specific' and kind of 'rallying' for a change. Stuff like "Free Kevin Jonas" by Goldfinger...it's a 'terrible' tune...a subject matter I don't give a fuck about...lyrically it's quite shite...but musically it isn't terrible, especially compared to other stuff on the album...but to me it's a 'protest' song. I miss the days Goldfinger wrote catchy shit like "Superman".

[Trey]

I can't remember the name of the song, but Linkin Park had a song on their last album that I would call a protest song.

[Plubby]

Trey: Hands Held High.