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20 Protest Songs That Matter: No. 18

'We Shall Be Free'
--Garth Brooks (1992)

Rebelling Against: Homophobia!

When one of the most successful country artists -- make that successful artists period -- audaciously sang "When we're free to love anyone we choose" in this gospel-influenced number, many took it as an endorsement of gay rights. Brooks made the connection more explicit at 2000's Equality Rocks, where he was the only straight male to perform.
Listen to 'We Shall Be Free'

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streets

I have a new found respect for the man.
he's right, we're not races of skin tone, gender, nationality, sexual preference or religion...

we are all humans. that's it, end of story.
thanks garth,

March 01 2008 at 5:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ladyluck3119

I normally would never post a comment on something like this but I really have to say, Marty... really? that is so repulsive and thoroughly offensive. Just because someone writes a song which may or may not reflect their support of gay rights, it has no bearing on their sexual orientetion, nor should it subject them to criticism. So please, for the love of our heavenly merciful Father, please keep you derogatory comments in your narrow little mind.

February 13 2008 at 10:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
impossiblegirl82

garth is amazing. i've seen him in concert at least 9 times...and for someone in country to actually stand up for something is amazing as well...least we remember the dixie chicks and stupid toby keith??

December 12 2007 at 9:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Richard

Where is Sly and the Family Stone's "Stand"? -
"Stand for the things that you know are right,
it's the truth that the truth makes them so uptight..."
Heck, even the Jacksons recorded it.

December 12 2007 at 9:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nels

Good for Garth. He's one of my favorite country singers anyway. It's good to know he wants equality for gay people. I'm proud of him. I don't care who he personally wants or doesn't want sexually.

December 12 2007 at 8:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rob Wilson

Need I remind all of you Garth bashers, that he just sold out 9 shows and 160,000 tickets here in Kansas City last month in a record ONE HOUR and FIFTY-EIGHT minutes? GARTH ROCKS !!!!!

December 12 2007 at 8:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
robby

garth just wants buttslamers to buy his garbage

December 12 2007 at 7:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pollyfarm2

GARTH BROOKS AIN'T COUNTRY, ROCK N ROLL OR MUSIC. HE'S THE DOG CRAP ON MY SHOE!

December 12 2007 at 7:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pollyfarm2

GARTH BROOKS CAN GO JUMP IN THE LAKEWITH A CONCRETE BLOCK AROUND HIS NECK. THAT AIN'T MUSIC!

December 12 2007 at 7:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Robert Wayne

Does Garth Brooks have a boyfriend that the media hasn't picked up on yet?

December 12 2007 at 7:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply