20 Protest Songs That Matter: No. 12
- Posted by Spinner Staff
- Comments (11)
--Malvina Reynolds (1962)
Rebelling Against: Conformity!
The theme to Showtime's 'Weeds' first came to life in the hands of topical songwriter Reynolds, who earned her doctorate from that beatnik haven Berkeley way back in 1938. Her view of the mind-numbing 'burbs -- where the homes are all "made out of ticky-tacky" – explained the problem of the bourgeoisie in terms even a child could understand.
Listen to 'Little Boxes'
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Reader Comments(1 of 1)
p curleyat 1-17-2010
This song was also done by the Womenfolk. Their version is I believe, the shortest song timewise to make the Billboard record charts.
ken eckertat 7-15-2007
I would have been sadly disappointed if this had not been included. After the 50's/Eisenhower/OzzieNelson decade, this song hit a chord with me. It still does even though my three kids all graduated from college, have good homes, and pay taxes.
Blind Bobat 7-17-2007
Malvina Reynolds also wrote "What Have They Done to the Rain". Even more pertinent than it was when she wrote it some 40 or 50 years ago.
Smittyat 7-16-2007
Every once in a while I begin to sing LITTLE BOXES. People don't remember it and think I'm nuts but I love the lilting melody and the lyrics are great.
mikeat 8-07-2007
Shes such a hater
GRBat 8-22-2007
this tune was re-done about a year later by another folk singer, does anyone remember who? It was a black guy, that's all I remember.
dc sarahchildat 8-22-2007
GRB~~
Apparently many have more recently redone the song...but contemporaniously with Malvina, Pete Seeger did it.
Not sure of his racial extractions, tho.(:
bobat 9-08-2007
Seeger did a great version of this.
marleymagicat 9-30-2007
great. great. song, with a very. very. good point.
QueenBat 12-10-2007
regina spektor covers this song beautifully http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEvEEcc9iC8
Bruce Pickat 12-12-2007
Jean Ritchie sang this too. And sang it very well, of course.