Okay, since I'm currently on the subject of protesting, I've compiled a list of what I feel are the greatest protest songs of all time. Below is the first half of the list, along with commentary on each song.
Songs #20-11 & Corresponding Commentary:
20.) "Masters of War"-- Bob Dylan: I've listened to this song a lot during the past eight years. It's kinda lost its bite in the wake of current events.
19.) "The Ballad of Ira Hayes"-- Peter LaFarge (covered by Johnny Cash): This is a true story of a Native American Marine who has been immortalized by the Iwo Jima Memorial. It brings to light the mistreatment of our veterans, especially those representing minority groups.
18.) "Waitin' on the World to Change"-- John Mayer: This song was used during the 2008 campaign to encourage the youth of America to get out and vote. Mayer's message here is that apathy is the greatest enemy of social change. Fortunately, the youth of America were not apathetic this time around.
17.) "Wake Me When September Ends"-- Green Day: This song pretty much sums up a vast majority of Americans' growing disgust with the Bush administration's use of emotional appeals (e.g. 9/11) to drum up support for the war effort.
16.) "When the Ship Comes In"-- Bob Dylan: This gorgeous song uses Biblical imagery to convey the very true message that Christianity was a social revolution and that Christ was the ultimate rebel-with-a-cause. (Actually, Dylan wrote this after being refused a hotel room on the basis of his scruffy appearance. This is definitely the most eloquent "F--- you!" song ever written.)
15.) "For What It's Worth"-- Buffalo Springfield: This classic tune expresses the feelings of the tumultuous era in which it was written (the 1960s) and made lead vocalist Stephen Stills and a then-unknown Canadian guitar phenom named Neil Young, who provided the instantly recognizable chiming opening riff, superstars.
14.) "Sunday, Bloody Sunday"-- U2: The Irish supergroup decries the violence carried out supposedly in the name of God that has plagued their native land for centuries.
13.) "Power to the People"-- John Lennon: No list of protest anthems would be complete without an entry from the "Smart Beatle." Here, Lennon characteristically flat-out tells the masses to question the establishment in order to better themselves, as well as others. (I still can't get over the fact that Laura Ingraham uses this song on her show and even gave her book the same title.)
12.) "Peace Train"-- Cat Stevens: Sadly, the artist now known as Yusuf Islam is reportedly no longer on the peace train. Still, this glorious tune reminds us all of why we're here: to be peacemakers. Timeless!
11.) "Revolution"-- The Beatles: This is an oft-misunderstood rock opus by none other than the Fab Four. Lennon wrote it in disgust with what was going on with the anti-war movement. That is, a lot of wannabes were giving the movement a bad name by getting involved with it just to be "cool" and "happening." Also, by 1968, anti-war protests in the States were becoming increasingly violent as a result of political assassinations (MLK & RFK) and an escalating war in Vietnam with no end in sight. Hmmm...
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