Music and Politics by Sarai Grace Brinker

Creedance Clearwater Revival

2022-11-09 16:50:07 UTC

Fortunate Son

Protesting the Vietnam War and the corrupt draft process

Pumped Up Kicks

2022-11-14 16:43:08 UTC

2010 song about a kid planning a school shooting. Drew a lot of attention, peaking at #3 on the charts

Zombie

2022-11-14 16:47:14 UTC

“Zombie” by the Cranberries was about the depression that was caused in Ireland from the fights between the Roman Catholics and Protestants.

"This is America" Childish Gambino

2022-11-14 16:56:45 UTC

about guns violence in america and police brutality

Ryan Bingham America

sgbrinker — 2022-11-15 19:44:55 UTC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SzOW96sYS8

John Corigliano of Rage and Rememberence

sgbrinker — 2022-11-15 19:47:31 UTC

This is about AIDS

Shostakovitch symphonies

sgbrinker — 2022-11-15 19:51:02 UTC

Shostakovitch was forced to compose music for the government as propaganda but a lot of his music was actually really subversive and this is an example of that

Imagine - John Lennon

2022-11-15 20:20:30 UTC

This song inspires peace among nations suggesting that we all live with one another in peace instead of in war

Political Songs

2022-11-15 23:36:22 UTC

I Can't Breathe-H.E.R.
This is about the George Floyd and references the song "Strange Fruit" recorded by Billie Holiday.
The Freedom EP-Anthony Ramos and other collaborative artists
Each song on this EP is also about racial injustices and each song covers a wide range of emotion from frustration to hopefulness.
The proceeds from the music of Les Amazones d'Afrique go to a charity to support women who are victims of sexual violence and genital mutilation.
Settle Down-Kimbra
This song is about grooming and portrays the subtle nature of that issue very well.

Political Songs

2022-11-16 14:06:37 UTC

The Village - Wrabel: This song discusses the suppression LGBT+ people face within their own homes and communities, being unable to adequately express themselves because people "won't understand" or "you just don't do that here," it is incredibly sad, but powerful, stating, "There's something wrong with The Village, there's nothing wrong with you"

Signs - Five Man Electric Band: This song discusses the challenges people can face when trying to enter establishments but not having "the look" to be able to get into that place, whether it be because of lack of finances to get the type of clothing expected, or personal preferences, and at the end it consoles people by saying they should all be welcome in church, regardless of appearances

Lalala - Noahfinnce: This song describes the epidemic of singing songs and not realizing the meaning behind them, wanting to escape the world through music only to be reciting a song that's attempting to fight back against that frustration by calling it out, but no one realizes because "it's catchy" so "it must not be political" when that doesn't have to be the case at all

American Idiot

2022-11-16 15:04:59 UTC

This song is directly influenced by the Iraq War following 9/11. It bashes propaganda, the “redneck agenda”, fake news, and fear mongering

Us and Them - Pink Floyd

2022-11-16 16:01:09 UTC

Protests war, especially towards the end of the 1st verse. "“Forward” he cried from the rear
And the front rank died
The general sat and the lines on the map
Moved from side to side
"

Another example...

2022-11-16 16:36:19 UTC

Michael Jackson's "They Don't Care About Us" is a song that likens the war and unrest in the 1990s with the Civil Rights Movement of the '60s, explicitly mentioning how FDR and Martin Luther King, Jr. "wouldn't let this be, no, no..."

American Idiot

2023-11-08 16:52:23 UTC

-Angelika Moreland

Political examples in music

2023-11-08 16:52:36 UTC

Written by a transgender artist, this song bring awareness to violence on people in the LGBTQ+ community.

https://youtu.be/1Q68-Cfs-Fk?si=UIhh-a0qlgfz2n23

--Arabella Dunlap--

Black And Blue -pop

2023-11-08 16:52:50 UTC

-Aidan Thames

Feminism

2023-11-08 16:53:34 UTC

Jacob collier Little Blue

2023-11-08 16:54:07 UTC

This song is a part of what’s called mahogany sessions which are mostly if not purely acoustic music because Jacob writes with Logic Pro and electronic music. This song is about bringing peace to mind and soul.

War is Over - John Lennon

2023-11-08 16:55:59 UTC

- Luke Reyna

Killing in The Name by Rage Against the Machine

2023-11-08 16:56:25 UTC

Killing in the name is a very political song from the 90s. This was a time where there was a lot of police brutality and inspired by the arrest of Rodney King. It speaks about how people were scared of the police and so they’d (mostly colored people)just do whatever they’re told to keep from trouble. The song is full on rage of the inequality and injustice happening between the police and civilians

-Madylyn Merendon

Let Freedom Ring 2 - Field Medic

2023-11-08 16:56:44 UTC

Discusses how the government and political leadership of our country are motivated by greed to encourage violence, both domestically and foreign.

Johnny Salgado

Childish Gambino - This Is America

2023-11-08 16:57:15 UTC

Mason Taylor https://youtu.be/VYOjWnS4cMY?si=enQr_jIFbrakKl_2

Different 'Round Here - Riley Green

2023-11-08 16:58:50 UTC

Michael Heusinger - This is a song I am using in my final project to prove what is WRONG with country music today. It exemplifies concepts like blind patriotism, anti-protest-ism, and romanticism of the military.

Laisha Lozano

2023-11-08 17:02:21 UTC

It is a song that talks about so many feminicides committed in Mexico, and talks about how powerful all women together can become since feminicide is a very big problem in Mexico.

Chained To The Rhythm-Katy Perry

2023-11-08 17:02:51 UTC

This song is about people who are trying to live in such “comfort” and “happiness” in other words “chained to the rhythm”, that they ignore all the difficult and crucial things that need to be recognized and dealt with in this world.

Halli Segrist

Rät by Penelope Scott

2023-11-08 17:12:28 UTC

This is a very political song as the artist is calling out Elon Musk for his ideals and how he does not follow through on his intentions. There are many call-outs on the rich and even on the artist herself as she admits she is guilty of wanting to be like the people she is calling out. She makes allusions to other political standings in this song and calls out the economy of America.

-Zach Franklin

Im not racist

2023-11-08 17:28:47 UTC

this song addresses racial tensions and perspectives from different viewpoints. The lyrics depict a conversation between a white man and a black man, highlighting the deep-seated issues related to race in society. the song explores themes of prejudice, stereotypes, and the need for open dialogue to bridge the gap between communities. it's a thought-provoking piece that sparks important conversations about race relations.

Gabberyale Benson

American Life by Primus

2023-11-08 17:29:32 UTC

https://youtu.be/old-VkM6SjM?si=qlJOvKOgQzFjOeVJ

Rene Molina

Imagine- John Lennon

2023-11-08 17:40:42 UTC

Jeffrey Meyer

American Pie - Don McLean

2023-11-08 19:30:43 UTC

A song that, when listened too properly, details the fall of American culture, and how the America youth lost its innocence in the way of drug use, heavy rock and roll, the overbearing politics, and a shift to general anger in pop culture.

Harry Styles: Treat People With Kindness

2023-11-08 19:38:31 UTC

This song written by Harry Styles voices everyone's thoughts: lets treat people with kindness. I chose this because in today's world, everyone is judged no matter what the do or do not do. Styles is saying why don't we stop making people and start making them feel good by being kind. Kindness can go a long way and it can be just a simple as a smile.

I’m Not Racist-Joyner Lucas

2023-11-08 19:53:45 UTC

This powerful song dives into the two perspectives of the white vs black race diversion in America. The two actors are both voiced by Joyner Lucas which is an African American. A huge conversation that is had in this song is Donald Trumps intentions for each side. The white actor sees him as an ally coming from a African American president while the African American actor see him as a threat coming from an African American president. One line that stood out to me on the 1st verse was “I heard Eminem's rap at the awards who's he fighting for? Y'all can take that motherfucka’ too he ain't white no more.” This line stood out because this shows that he sees hate towards white power as apart of black culture. One statement that stood out from verse 2 was “I swear north Korea can bomb us any day now and now I'm ducking every time I hear a fucking plan now.” This line stood out to me because it’s something civilians in america could relate to. -Michael Barlow

Vasectomy - Mia Antifa

2023-11-08 20:36:13 UTC

Mia Antifa is a very politically charged band from El Paso. This song, Vasectomy, is a call-out against the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the larger battle for women's autonomy in the political sphere. The song calls out politicians of varying levels by name, and makes it's message very clear through their lyrics. Their other songs are very clear in their intentions as well.

Asher Blu-Fullingim

We Americans by The Avett Brothers

2023-11-09 00:05:03 UTC

This is a beautiful song that sheds light on how divided America was/is in 2020. Specifically, they speak on the issues of racism. They are an American band that’s reflecting on the issues in America while still having a hopeful outlook for the future. The combination of the song and the music video compile a great message of unity and love.

-Abbigayle Keesee

Your Power- Billie Eilish

2023-11-09 02:49:57 UTC

You power talks about how people ‘overpower’ others in relationships (men over women in the song). People shouldn’t take people’s power away to get something they want.

Isabella Baez

This a is America -Childish Gambino

2023-11-09 03:26:44 UTC

Song about racism in America

Critical Acclaim - Avenged Sevenfold

2023-11-09 04:07:53 UTC

“Critical Acclaim” is the first track on Avenged Sevenfold’s self-titles record Avenged Sevenfold. It dives into the topic of self-righteousness and a lack of self accountability as viewed from the political standpoint. A major theme in the song is a soldier’s sacrifice that is taken for granted by those who point their fingers constantly and blame their situation on an “evil” population attempting to tear them down, as opposed to their own actions.

“Someone’s kid in the heart of America has blood on his hands

Fighting to defend your rights so you can maintain the lifestyle that insults his family’s existence”

Walker Andrews

2023-11-09 06:15:01 UTC

If you have heard this song before, it is without a doubt that there is a clear message trying to be promoted within the lyrics of the song. Michael Jackson created this song to spread the message of “making the world a better place” and inspiring millions of people worldwide. The vision of this song is very simple, yet profound, as it promotes peace, unity, and love. The song aims to spread a message of hope to humanity by encouraging people to take action to create a better world. The song has no target audience and with that, the song is also expected to target anyone who gives it a listen. The song has a meaning above any form of restriction or government people around the world may face representing a man vs. man conflict; that it is simply about helping the human race make the world a better place.

-Tolliver Durbin

Zombie: The Cranberries

2023-11-09 16:24:49 UTC

https://youtu.be/6Ejga4kJUts?si=P7VzCP9UiBLU9RL6

Zombie is a message out to the world of how destructive and devastating war is. It is a direct response of two children who dies in an IRA bombing.

Scumbag- Noah Finnce

2023-11-09 20:21:40 UTC

Noah Finnce released this song in October 26th 2023 as a "diss track" against transphobes and TERFs (Trans exclusionary radical feminists) who hide their hatred of trans people behind the guise of protecting women and children. Noah is commenting on the recent anti-transgender events in his residence in the UK. This includes the massive amounts of anti-transgender bills being passed globally, the fact that transphobia has become five times more common in recent years, and the Prime minister and other powerful leaders express their plans and hate against transgender people. Noah includes lyrics such as "Why do you think there's still room for debate?" and "You'll wreck yourself just for the comeback" to highlight his feelings on the matter. In an interview Noah had said “I’m tired of politicians and well respected celebrities coming out and manufacturing this idea that trans people are dangerous and infringing on other peoples rights when the reality is that we just want to be left alone to live our lives in peace.

The data is and has always been on our side but the increased effort to scapegoat us has had detrimental effects on our community.” (Teddy Coward, paragraph 5)

-Annabelle Lewis

Festive Overture in A Major, Op. 96 (1954) by Dmitri Shostakovich

sekyhm — 2023-11-10 01:32:40 UTC

This overture featuring pompous, reverent melodies was composed by Shostakovich in 1954, one year after Stalin's death in 1953, to celebrate the 37th Anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution that occurred in 1917. Shostakovich had initially written the work in 1947, for the 30th Anniversary, but had he published the work, it would have been seen as a "confirmation of his ideological conformity" and his allegiance to Stalin's regime.

As much as this piece demonstrates an explicit tie with politics, it's also a great example of irony in music. Considering that the piece was composed a year after Stalin's death, the same piece written to celebrate the Bolshevik Revolution that facilitated the growth of the Communist Party in Russia is also aimed, on a more subtle and personal note, at celebrating the death of one of its most influential leaders. The fact that it only took him three days to compose the piece further consolidates the disparities between Shostakovich's views to those of Stalin.

Sean Kyhm

Gestapo

dmhewitt8 — 2023-11-10 01:40:59 UTC

David Hewitt

This song is half about how the media presents news from outside the US and the other half is about how the people in power use it to control the people and make themselves seem like able or like good leaders. I chose it for this and because it has some great guitar licks and a cool drum solo that helps show the disdain and difference between the people and those on power.

Bo Burnham's "How the World Works

2023-11-10 03:12:13 UTC

https://youtu.be/oDQXFNWuZj8?feature=shared

In this song, Bo Burnham's sockpuppet very unexpectedly criticizes the system of capitalism and the founding of America through genocide. It highlights exploitation and he sings about it in an edutainment format almost like it is a show for kids.

-Lachlan Champion

We Didn’t Start the Fire - Billy Joel

clacontr — 2023-11-10 04:39:38 UTC

In this song Billy Joel sings of everything going wrong in the world, from celebrities to political assassinations. Stating that although we didn’t start this unfortunate turn of events, we are trying to fight it.

-Clayton Contreras

2023-11-10 05:00:19 UTC

This song references the protests at Tiananmen Square, and how the Chinese government used propaganda to try to cover up the massacre they committed to shut down the students who were standing up for freedom. This song challenges listeners to question the information they receive from media and to think critically for themselves.

-Solomon Caraway

Shostakovich 10 mvmt 2

2023-11-10 05:37:38 UTC

This movement specifically was written as a description of Stalin. It was designed to sound powerful yet out of control and reckless. He wrote it to seem like a tribute to him, however it conveys a very different message and conveys the dictator in a much more sinister light

Fortunate Son- Creedence Clearwater Revival

2023-11-10 14:32:37 UTC

Song for protesting the Vietnam War. However, it became very popular despite its political message.

-Lawson Bateman

Can You Afford To be an Individual - Nothing But Thieves

2023-11-10 15:11:27 UTC

This is a more recent song; released around the height of the pandemic - the lyrics of this song highlight the insanity of today’s world and how nobody is original anymore; we’re all just mindless consumers following whatever trend (not necessarily even politics) is popular in the moment. The instrumentation gets a lot stronger and more angry sounding as the song goes on, highlighting the emotions the band has about this topic.

Jordan Symes

Revolution - The Beatles

2023-11-10 15:11:30 UTC

This piece was made to express their support of the anti-war movement. I picked this piece because when it was released it caused controversy, because the Beatles never really make music about politics.

Maddison Ortega

Purge the Poison -MARINA

2023-11-10 15:13:05 UTC

Perspective of Mother Nature written to be purging the poison of mankind.

-Natalie Mata

The Government Totally Sucks

2023-11-10 15:18:09 UTC

While the majority of this song is played as a joke, it does raise valid points and arguments towards the government

Maxwell Maldonado

BOCA - Dreamcatcher

2023-11-10 15:19:35 UTC

Dreamcatcher is a K-pop band. They usually play music with an intense sound, and the themes of their music are often related to social issues. In this song, BOCA, they comment on how the development of the internet in the modern era has brought back the witch hunts of the past and criticize the hate-filled internet culture. They liken anonymous postings on the internet to a mouth(Boca) and say that mouths that only say bad things should be locked.

-Naehyeog Kang

Dream catcher - Maison

2023-11-10 15:20:14 UTC

This song brings awareness to global warming and climate change.

Trisha Hoang

Fuck Tha Police- N.W.A.

2023-11-10 15:37:17 UTC

In this song, N.W.A. calls out cops for police brutality.

Maya Campuzano

Let It Grow - The Lorax

2023-11-10 15:58:52 UTC

This song talks about saving the environment

Ashleigh Wagnon

This is america

2023-11-10 15:59:39 UTC

Song is about America, pretty political

Alex Rodriguez

2023-11-10 15:59:43 UTC

Prokofiev’s 6th symphony

Olivia Stukey

Penthouse Cloud- The Internet

2023-11-10 16:00:36 UTC

Trinity A.Mullins

2023-11-10 16:02:27 UTC

My mom introduced this song to me when it came out and I didn’t understand it but it’s a song about acceptance of things like gay marriage into society. She gave people fighting for this matter a larger voice.

-Michael Addonizio

Va Pensiero from Nabucco by Verdi

2023-11-10 16:03:18 UTC

This piece isn't inherently political in itself but it was so revolutionary to the audience with it's meaning that it became an anthem for the Italian revolution and made Verdi a figurehead for the revolution.

Where is the love- the black eyed peas

2023-11-10 16:10:44 UTC

Abigail York- This song talks about the discrimination in the us and about the government’s bad policies. It points out wars and the harmful actions of the government that really negatively impact everyone.

We didn’t start the fire-Billy Joel

2023-11-10 16:12:05 UTC

This song talks about history from the past 50-100 years ago. And how it is not the fault of the current generation for the faults of others

Changes by Tupac

2023-11-10 16:12:22 UTC

Tupac highlights the struggles he went through growing up in a poorer neighborhood and how the people around him including him are discriminated against and are subject to systemic racism and nothing is being said or done about it.

Born in the USA -Marisol Manzanares

2023-11-14 21:09:22 UTC

this song was written after the Vietnam War and is racial because in the lyrics it says. "Send me to the foreign land to go and kill the yellow man" this is referring to the Asian decent.

Peace Sells - Megadeth

2023-11-17 07:19:50 UTC

I chose this song because it mentions what the government views as the best life, which is being religious, supporting the “system”, going to work, paying bills. I love the line where paying bills is mentioned. —> “What do you mean I don’t pay my bills? Why do think I’m broke? Huh?” They call that “peace”. You have to somewhat and somehow pay the government. You’re having to pay the government to peacefully live here. So the real question is, said by Dave Mustaine in this song, “Can you put a price on peace?”

-Kaitlyn Reeves

Fortunate Son

2023-11-18 22:19:26 UTC

This song was written to be a protest to the Vietnam war. The lyrics speak to the privilege that some people have when it comes to military service – those who are born into wealthy or influential families can often avoid fighting in wars, while less fortunate people are drafted or enlisted.

-Hailey Hughes

2023-11-19 23:06:12 UTC

Finlandia is a national favorite in Finland, even suggested to be the national anthem (This is not the case however) though it was the national anthem of a short-lived African state called Baifra, which only lasted three years.

At the time that this piece was written, Finland was under the Russian "Rules" and extreme censorship was prominent, Finlandia was known under different names to avoid this censorship. It promoted a feeling of Finnish Nationality and was used as a sort of Riot song.

-Allie Ahonen-Bray

“Just a Girl” - No Doubt

2023-11-20 10:31:05 UTC

https://youtu.be/PHzOOQfhPFg?si=ttfItXLQ9s_2VRWe

This song comments on the experience of a girl in the male-sdominated rock industry. Gwen Stefani was the lead singer of an otherwise all-male band, and she used her platform to spread her message. She talks about how she’s looked at differently just because she’s a woman, and how she feels boxed into a type that she might not want to be. The lines “I’m just a girl in the world, that’s all that you’ll let me be” and “Oh, I’m just a girl, what’s my destiny? What I’ve succumbed to is making me numb” comment on how she feels controlled by everyone around her and how that has affected her.

Lauren Ziegenhorn