General protest songs
The Chain by Fleetwood Mac
What is breaking free from personal struggles? As well as themes of freedom, control, and independence which resonate with protest or resistance movements.
Often mistaken for a patriotic anthem, this Woody Guthrie folk song actually critiques inequality and questions who truly has access to the American dream.
What is "This Land is Your Land?"
The Man by Taylor Swift
What is sexism and double standards in the music industry and society
This 1969 protest song by Creedence Clearwater Revival critiques privilege and the disparity between those who fight in wars and those who avoid them.
What is Fortunate Son
Born in the U.S.A by Bruce Springsteen
Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Under Pressure By Queen and David Bowie
What is a message of empathy and human connection, which could be interpreted as a protest against a cold, pressure-filled world.
This 1980 song by Dolly Parton became an anthem for working women, reflecting the struggles of the daily grind and the hope for better working conditions.
What is "9 to 5"?
You Need to Calm Down by Taylor Swift
What is Anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry, internet hate, and toxic outrage culture.
This 1962 Bob Dylan folk anthem asks rhetorical questions about peace, freedom, and human rights, with the famous refrain, "The answer is ..."
What is Blowin' In the Wind?
Another Brick In the Wall by Pink Floyd
We don't need no education
We don't need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teacher, leave them kids alone
Hey, teacher, leave them kids alone
All in all, it's just another brick in the wall
All in all, you're just another brick in the wall
Uprising by Muse
What is a themes of resistance against systemic oppression, manipulation, and control, encouraging listeners to challenge authority and fight for their rights.
This 2010 hit by Taylor Swift is a defiant anthem against criticism and bullying, with lyrics that call out those who "throw stones" while highlighting the strength to rise above it.
What is "Mean"
Just a Girl by No Doubt
What is a protest song that critiques the limitations and stereotypes imposed on women by society, highlighting the frustrations of being confined to gender roles.
"This 1966 song by Buffalo Springfield became an anthem of protest against social unrest, reflecting the tension of the 1960s, particularly in response to police violence during protests."
What is For What it's Worth?
What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
99 Luftballons by Nena
What is critiques the dangers of war, particularly the risks of miscommunication and the escalation of military tensions during the Cold War.
This fierce 1963 Bob Dylan song calls out those who build and profit from war, accusing them of hiding behind desks while others die.
What is "Masters of War"
What Was I Made For by Billie Eilish
What is protest against societal pressures to conform, themes of existential doubt and mental health struggles. Embracing vulnerability and self-reflection in a world that often demands certainty.
"This 1971 song by a former Beatle envisions a world without borders, religion, or possessions, and became a universal anthem for peace and unity."
What is Imagine by John Lennon
Zombie by the Cranberries
But you see, it's not me, it's not my family
In your head, in your head, they are fightin'
With their tanks and their bombs and their bombs and their guns
In your head, in your head, they are cryin'
In your head, in your head
Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie
What's in your head, in your head?
Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie-ie, oh
Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan
What is critiques the superficial, restrictive expectations placed on individuals, by society.
The guy with the red beard that kyle showed us the video of in class. This song is critiquing the perceived elite and their policies.
What is "Rich Men of North Richmond"
Hard Times by Paramore
What is a protest against the glamorization of struggle and emotional suppression in a society that often discourages vulnerability and openly confronting personal and collective struggles.
This 1971 anthem by Marvin Gaye questions war, police brutality, and social injustice with the repeated plea: "Mother, mother, there's too many of you crying."
What is What's Going On?
We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel
… We didn't start the fire
It was always burning, since the world's been turning
We didn't start the fire
No, we didn't light it, but we tried to fight it