Protest Songs by EnglishYoyo

1939 Strange Fruit (Billie Holiday)

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-11 11:55:51 UTC

When Billie Holiday recorded “Strange Fruit” in 1939, it became the first song by black artist to ever be released with such bold and explicit lyrics about racism.

1963 Masters of War (Bob Dylan)

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-11 11:55:59 UTC

Dylan's lyrics are a protest against the Cold War nuclear arms build-up of the early 1960s.

1973 Get up, Stand up (Bob Marley)

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-11 11:56:12 UTC

Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981) was an important Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician in the 1970s and 1980s. He made the style of reggae music very popular all over the world. His music told stories of his home and the Rastafarian religion that he followed. Some songs were about religion and some songs were about politics like Get Up Stand Up.

1992 (Rage Against the Machine)

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-11 11:56:16 UTC

"Killing in the Name" is a protest song by American rock band Rage Against the Machine, and appears on their 1992 self-titled debut album. It was released as the lead single from the album in November 1992. The song contains direct, fervent lyrics protesting police brutality and racist police officers, and features heavy drop-D guitar riffs, with the lyrics inspired by the police beating suffered by Rodney King and the subsequent 1992 Los Angeles riots.

1950 We Shall Overcome (Joan Baez, others)

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-11 12:00:26 UTC

Lyrics PDF: https://www.amistadresource.org/documents/document_08_05_040_weshallovercome.pdf
Based on the gospel song of the same name by Rev. Dr. Charles Albert Tindley, “We Shall Overcome” became synonymous with the black civil rights movement of the 1950s and ‘60s. The song was originally said to be sung by tobacco workers striking in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1945. By 1950, however, the song became a favorite among activist singers like Pete Seeger. By 1963, Joan Baez was leading a crowd of 300,000 protestors at the Lincoln Memorial in the song, and in 1968 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. quoted the lyrics in his last sermon before he was assassinated.

1963 Mississippi Goddamn (Nina Simone)

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-11 12:02:24 UTC

Written in 1963 by Nina Simone in response to the assassination of Medgar Evers, a civil rights activist who fought to end segregation at the University of Mississippi, “Mississippi Goddam” is a song damning the racist actions of the Deep South. The deceptively jaunty show tune-esque beginning plays a direct contradiction to the lyrics “Oh but this whole country is full of lies/You're all gonna die and die like flies/I don't trust you any more.” Simone is clear about what she wants: “You don't have to live next to me/Just give me my equality.”

1988 F**ck the Police

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-11 12:04:37 UTC

Decades before the Black Lives Matter movement, N.W.A. were putting words to the anger they felt toward police brutality and racial profiling. With Dr. Dre presiding as judge, Ice Cube, MC Ren and Eazy-E each take a turn stating their case against the police, citing examples of stereotypes they’ve found assigned to themselves and other young black men based solely on how they look and where they’re from.

1985 Meat is Murder

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-11 12:09:07 UTC

The blunt title lets listeners know exactly how vegetarian (now vegan) Smiths frontman Morrissey feels about people eating meat. “The flesh you so fancifully fry/Is not succulent, tasty or kind.” Morrissey has often been very outspoken about his beliefs, stopping other members of the Smiths from eating meat in photographs and, as a solo artist, cancelling concerts at venues that don’t take meat off the menu. The song opens with eerie sounds that could be chainsaws revving and cows mooing before going into a graphic description of how livestock is slaughtered.

8 Protest Songs since 2000 that Inspired Change

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-11 12:10:11 UTC

1983 Sunday Bloody Sunday (U2)

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-11 12:16:40 UTC

The bonafide rock anthem is about Bloody Sunday, the day in 1972 when British troops shot and killed unarmed civilian protesters in Derry, Northern Ireland. While the song is ostensibly about the turmoil in Northern Ireland, lyrics call for an end to violence in general, “And the battle's just begun/There's many lost, but tell me who has won.”

Protest Songs from the 18th century to now

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-11 12:22:54 UTC

1971 What's Going On (Marvin Gaye)

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-11 12:26:00 UTC

After Four Tops singer Renaldo “Obie” Benson witnessed police brutality against protesters on the Berkeley campus, Benson took his idea for a song about the violence to his label Motown Records, where he and Al Cleveland wrote the song. Because the other members of the Four Tops didn’t want to do a protest song, out of fear of backlash, Marvin Gaye took it on, adding a new melody and bringing his soulful solo voice to the number. The song promotes peaceful protesting (“Picket lines and picket signs/Don't punish me with brutality/Talk to me, so you can see/Oh, what's going on”).

1984 Born in the USA (Bruce Springsteen)

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-11 12:28:02 UTC

Don’t let the patriotic name and catchy chorus fool you: The boss is deeply cynical about his fellow Americans' actions and attitudes in this 1984 megahit. Written from the perspective of a Vietnam War veteran, Springsteen protests the poor treatment of the soldiers who survived a violent war that they may not have even wanted to fight in.

Vocabulary List (Google Sheets with Quizlets Links)

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-11 12:31:40 UTC

2003 Where is the Love? (Black Eyed Peas)

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-11 13:44:01 UTC

As the shock and pain of 9/11 evolved into military strategy and the 24-hour cable news cycle, the Black Eyed Peas entered into pop culture to make a political statement with the help of superstar Justin Timberlake. Listening back, it’s surprisingly prophetic about our current political climate:

But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate

1973 Wounded Knee (Redbone)

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-11 15:49:27 UTC

All-Native rock and funk group Redbone didn't receive any love from the U.S. charts when the band released its single "We Were All Wounded at Wounded Knee" in 1973. Perhaps retelling the massacre of the Lakota Sioux by the 7th Cavalry Regiment was a bit too controversial for the American charts (though the song was successful in Europe.) The song's lyrics tell us that we have not forgotten the history and intergenerational aftermath of the Wounded Knee Massacre, but those "who were not wiped out by the 7th Cavalry" will "sing, sing, sing out our story 'til the truth is heard."

1967 R.E.S.P.E.C.T. (Aretha Franklin)

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-11 15:56:36 UTC

Franklin's interpretation of Otis Redding's song became a feminist anthem for the second-wave feminism movement in the 1970s.

2015 You Don't Own Me (Grace)

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-11 16:03:11 UTC

Originally written by two men, David White and John Madara, “You Don’t Own Me,” started out as another song about some boy in the 1960s then transformed into the anthem of female empowerment and racial equality. Performed in the 1960s by Leslie Gore, this new version is from 2015.

2021 This Land is Your Land (Liz Vice)

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-12 12:48:36 UTC

In Vice’s version of the tune, the lyrical angle embraces a bigger picture, poetically alluding to the nation’s misdeeds. Yet, Vice’s version retains perhaps the most complex and impressive quality of the original: it’s simultaneous love and critique of America. While there is a lot on the “critique” side—from a history of racism to the nature of class inequality—there is also a tremendous spirit and beauty to the country and its people. That’s what pushed artists like Vice and Guthrie to speak out, to inspire Americans and their brilliance; that’s why “This Land Is Your Land” is a song that, 80 years later, Americans are still moved by.

1986 Greatest Love of All (Whitney Houston)

Englishyoyo — 2023-05-12 15:24:32 UTC

"The Greatest Love of All" is a song written by Michael Masser, who composed the music, and Linda Creed, who wrote the lyrics. It was originally recorded in 1977 by George Benson, who made the song a substantial hit, peaking at number two on the US Hot Soul Singles chart that year, the first R&B chart top-ten hit for Arista Records. The song was written and recorded to be the main theme of the 1977 film The Greatest, a biopic of the boxer Muhammad Ali, and is performed during the opening credits.^[1]

2015 Glory by Common ft. John Legend

scsnyesol — 2023-05-12 15:26:38 UTC

Inspired by the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, the emotional ballad once again fights against inequity and police brutality. Common’s verses address how the Black community has stood up time and time again for civil rights by referencing notable Civil Rights activists, including Jimmie Lee Jackson, Rosa Park and Martin Luther King Jr.

1985 - We are the World - Michael Jackson

2023-05-12 15:26:47 UTC

1978 - We are a Gentle Angry People

2023-05-12 15:26:53 UTC

This song, written by Holly Near in the wake of the Harvey Milk assassination, is a call to action. It demands that we make sure everyone knows who we are and how many we are, we who will not be moved, we who are scared, and angry, and loving, and resisting.

1989 We didn't start the Fire (Billy Joel)

2023-05-12 15:27:16 UTC

We Didn't Start the Fire” is a constant reminder that no matter how crazy times may seem today, they have always been crazy and will continue to be crazy.

Five Hundred miles

mnmartinesl — 2023-05-12 15:29:21 UTC

1970 Ohio by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

2023-05-12 15:30:35 UTC

"Ohio" is a protest song and counterculture anthem written and composed by Neil Young in reaction to the Kent State shootings of May 4, 1970, and performed by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.^[1] It was released as a single, backed with Stephen Stills's "Find the Cost of Freedom", peaking at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 16 in Canada.^[2] Although a live version of "Ohio" was included on the group's 1971 double album 4 Way Street, the studio versions of both songs did not appear on an LP until the group's compilation So Far was released in 1974. The song also appeared on the Neil Young compilation albums Decade, released in 1977, and Greatest Hits, released in 2004.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio_%28Crosby,_Stills,_Nash_%26_Young_song%29

1936 Summertime by Gershwin | sang by Billie Holiday

2023-05-12 15:32:54 UTC

Summertime
and the livin' is easy
fish are jumpin
and the cotton is high
oh your daddy's rich
and your ma is good lookin'
so hush little baby
don't you cry

One of these mornin's
you're goin' to rise up singin'
yes you'll spread your wings
and you'll take to the sky
but til' that mornin'
theres nothin' can harm you
with daddy and mammy
standin' by

summertime
and the livin' is easy
fish are jumpin'
and the cotton is high
oh your daddy's rich
and you ma is good lookin'
so hush little baby
don't you cry

War- Temptations (1969)

btheteacher365 — 2023-05-12 15:32:59 UTC

"War" is a counterculture era soul song written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for the Motown label in 1969. Whitfield first produced the song – an obvious anti–Vietnam Warstatement – with The Temptations as the original vocalists.

Fight The Power ( Public Enemy)

btheteacher365 — 2023-05-12 15:38:01 UTC

Before embarking on the tour, film director Spike Leeapproached Public Enemy with the proposition of making a song for one of his movies.^[2] Lee, who was directing Do the Right Thing, sought to use the song as a leitmotif in the film about racial tension in a Brooklyn, New York neighborhood.
"Law enforcement is necessary. As a species we haven't evolved past needing that. Fight the Power is not about fighting authority—it's not that at all. It's about fighting abuse of power."

This land is your land (1940)

Englishyoyo — 2023-11-06 17:57:17 UTC

Mahalia Jackson sings two hymns at the March on Washington in 1963

Englishyoyo — 2023-11-08 00:37:40 UTC

I have a Dream - Remix

Englishyoyo — 2023-11-08 15:20:11 UTC

The revolution will not be televised

ashkannayyeri — 2023-11-10 03:11:40 UTC

You will not be able to stay home, brother
You will not be able to plug in, turn on and cop out
You will not be able to lose yourself on skag and
Skip out for beer during commercials
Because the revolution will not be televised

The revolution will not be televised
The revolution will not be brought to you by Xerox
In four parts without commercial interruptions
The revolution will not show you pictures of Nixon
Blowing a bugle and leading a charge by John Mitchell
General Abrams and Spiro Agnew
To eat hog maws confiscated from a Harlem sanctuary
The revolution will not be televised

The revolution will not be brought to you by the
Schaefer Award Theatre and will not star
Natalie Woods and Steve McQueen or Bullwinkle and Julia
The revolution will not give your mouth sex appeal
The revolution will not get rid of the nubs
The revolution will not make you look five pounds thinner
...
...

1964 A Change Is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke)

2023-11-11 14:22:03 UTC

"A Change Is Gonna Come" became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement, and is widely considered one of Cooke's greatest compositions.

Streets of Minneapolis (Bruce Springsteen, 2026)

Englishyoyo — 2026-02-18 17:36:43 UTC

Streets of Minneapolis (no images)

Englishyoyo — 2026-02-18 17:38:28 UTC

Baraye (shared by Ash)

Englishyoyo — 2026-02-25 15:35:52 UTC

shared by Taikyoung

Englishyoyo — 2026-02-25 15:37:30 UTC

Englishyoyo — 2026-02-25 15:42:38 UTC

Julio Sosa (shared by Maria)

Englishyoyo — 2026-02-27 02:26:48 UTC

It´s a Tango song called Cambalache, written in 1934, performed by Julio Sosa. The song emphatizes the lack of honesty and the prevalence of personal success in the 20th century, particularly in an social and economic moment in Argentina. It´s a Tango song called Cambalache, written in 1934, performed by Julio Sosa. The song emphatizes the lack of honesty and the prevalence of personal success in the 20th century, particularly in an social and economic moment in Argentina.

Baraye- English version-Translated and performed by Rana Mansour in The Voice Germany Finals 2022 (shared by Ash)

ashkannayyeri — 2026-02-27 20:14:25 UTC

Woman's Anthem-Mehdi Yarrahi (shared by Ash)

ashkannayyeri — 2026-02-27 20:18:43 UTC

Life's Anthem-Mehdi Yarrahi (shared by Ash)

ashkannayyeri — 2026-02-27 20:20:05 UTC

Roosarito - Mehdi Yarrahi (shared by Ash)

ashkannayyeri — 2026-02-27 20:22:02 UTC

Auschwitz - Mehdi Yarrahi (shared by Ash)

ashkannayyeri — 2026-02-27 20:23:23 UTC

Sogand Be Khoon Hamrahan - Students of Tehran University of Culture and Arts (shared by Ash)

ashkannayyeri — 2026-02-27 20:27:19 UTC

Bia Bia ke koocheh mizanad to ra seda - Iranian music students (shared by Ash)

ashkannayyeri — 2026-02-27 20:36:50 UTC

Bizaram Az Dine Shoma - Saba Zameni (shared by Ash)

ashkannayyeri — 2026-02-27 20:38:25 UTC