20 Protest Songs That Matter: No. 20
In 'The Wild One,' angry young rocker Marlon Brando answered an innocent question -- "Hey Johnny, what are you rebelling against?" -- with a curt reply that spoke volumes: "Whaddya got?" Rock never settles for the status quo, teaching generations that questioning authority is a cornerstone of democracy. Here are 20 all-time declarations of independence, each spun at 45 revolutions per minute.
--Bob Marley and the Wailers (1973)
Rebelling Against: Opression!
The late, saintly Bob Marley's signature anthem has become a fill-in-the-blank template for righteous causes of all stripes. Not only is it the official fight song of Amnesty International, but Peter Tosh's sung-spoken interlude – "You can fool some people sometime/ But you can't fool all the people all the time" -- has been called a precursor to rap.
Listen to 'Get Up, Stand Up'
Buy it on iTunes
--Bob Marley and the Wailers (1973)
Rebelling Against: Opression!
The late, saintly Bob Marley's signature anthem has become a fill-in-the-blank template for righteous causes of all stripes. Not only is it the official fight song of Amnesty International, but Peter Tosh's sung-spoken interlude – "You can fool some people sometime/ But you can't fool all the people all the time" -- has been called a precursor to rap.
Listen to 'Get Up, Stand Up'
Buy it on iTunes
Posted by Spinner Staff
Filed under: The Hit List
Reader Comments(1 of 9)
al8189at 7-15-2007
Comparing Bob Marleys lyrics and musical talent to Rap music is sacreligious. The person who even thought of the comparison is a sick, sick person. One day, the world will come to realize that the fall of the modern civilization is because of Rap music and its followers
Dr. Dennis M. Szalat 7-15-2007
I am sure you probably put some thought into your top 20 protest songs, and you probably have received a number of comments concerning other songs that should have been included. For the life of me I cannot comprehend why you neglectd the quintessential protest song ever, John Prine's, "Sam Stone". Please rethink your selections !
Pat Harrisonat 7-15-2007
You have to include Country Joe and the Fish's anthem "I'm fixin' to die" for me to take this list seriously. There ain't no need to wonder why, whoopee, we're all gonna die.
RockySnutsat 7-15-2007
Rock on.
Barbaraat 7-15-2007
What about Country Joe and the Fish: "I-Feel-Like-i'm-Fixin'-to-Die Rag"? That was my musical mantra during the Vietnam War. And so many songs by Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie and Joan Baez... Remember "I Dreamed I Saw Joe Hill Last Night"? Or, more recently, "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" by U2? Do more research and go back in time, PLEASE.
marcuskillacamat 3-23-2009
well Barbara i think that you have a piont but you can't always be as one.
Tomat 7-15-2007
How in the world could "I'm Fixin' to Die Rag" by Country Joe and the Fish escape this list!?!?!?
RockySnutsat 7-15-2007
This is in reply to al8189 comment about Rap. I agree with your thoughts about modern commercial rap, it is going to be the end of civilization. However, I believe that the comparison between Tosh's lines and rap extend to the meaningful rap, before it became about "blunts, bitches, and 40's". I would recommend checking out music by Dead Prez, Mos Def, Common, Atmosphere, and much of the early (read: 1980's) rap. It's good stuff with a real message.
Lanceat 7-15-2007
"Angry young rocker...Brando"? Better watch "The Wild One" again, friend. When that film was made, rock 'n' roll barely had a toehold in music (if that) and the entire score of the movie is jazz.
Anthonyat 7-15-2007
I dont know how Bulls on parade or killing in thye name or actually anything from rage against the machine didnt make this list
inrustilieat 7-15-2007
Im not knocking anyone, but whenever I come across something like this, its from an older generation. Here are some new picks, anything from Bad Religion, Jason DeVore(Authority Zero), Operation Ivy, RX Bandits, State Radio and last but certainly not least, David Gray. Also, alot of the songs in the past were from drug induced eras, and are sometimes lyrically outdated. Thanx for listenin', seeya.
Tony, Coloradoat 7-15-2007
Okay who ever wrote this statement must be from the 50's, lol. I am not big fan of Rap but there are a lot of Rap songs I do like a lot but that goes for any music be it Rock, Pop, Country or what ever it is and that I dont like every song that comes out but to say that Rap Music is going to be the downfall of the modern civilization, well no you are very wrong and the DOWNFALL of the modern civilization is going to be the closed thinking that you have and not willing to Change.
((1. Comparing Bob Marleys lyrics and musical talent to Rap music is sacreligious. The person who even thought of the comparison is a sick, sick person. One day, the world will come to realize that the fall of the modern civilization is because of Rap music and its followers
al8189 ))
Okay and for the Anthony that wrote that you don't understand how come Rage Against the Machine Songs didn't make the top 20. Are you from Colorado because I have a buddy named Anthony that I am 100% sure he feels the same way as you, lol.
Keep Rocking Anthony oneday they listen !
kv5350at 9-02-2008
fucking idiot
J. M. Clarkat 7-15-2007
Ever hear "Mississippi Goddamn" by Nina Simone?
hyperjerrat 4-14-2009
what is it
"K-OS"at 7-15-2007
After reading several comments, I agree there're are several great songs that should have been on the list. I don't agree with having racicist rapping about anti-racisim, as being insperational at all. NWA is as non-racist as J. Jackson, and A. Sharpton. The biggest oversight about the list, in my opinon, Imagine by John Lennon, protesting confomity in all directions, while asking to seek peacefull resolutions.
stan adamskiat 7-15-2007
WAR is good for absolutely NOTHING.
SandhillsRiderat 7-15-2007
Another weak attempt by Spinner. The boss says "Gimme the top 20 protest songs" You have 2 minutes to have it on my desk.
No Neil Young? Come on, turn in your Rock card at the door on your way home!
Evanat 7-15-2007
You guys really left out some good stuff. How could you leave out Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival? And For What It's Worth by Buffalo Springfield? And Revolution by the Beatles? And the I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die-Rag by Country Joe and the Fish? Come on, guys! This list sucks!
JANE HALVORSONat 7-15-2007
There's somethin' happenin' here.
What it is ain't exactly clear.
There's a man with a gun over there
A-tellin' me I've got to beware.
I think it's time we stop.
Children, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's goin' down.
There's battle lines bein' drawn.
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong.
Young people speakin' their minds
A-gettin' so much resistance from behind.
I think it's time we stop.
Hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's goin' down.
What a field day for the heat.
A thousand people in the street
Singin' songs and a-carryin' signs
Mostly sayin' hooray for our side.
It's time we stop.
Hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's goin' down.
Paranoia strikes deep.
Into your life it will creep.
It starts when you're always afraid.
Step out of line, the MAN come and take you away.
You better stop.
Hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's goin'..
You better stop.
Hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's goin'..
You better stop.
Now, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's goin'..
You better stop.
Children, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's goin'down..