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Occupy Wall Street Protest Songs -- A Playlist for the 99 Percent

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Every good protest needs a soundtrack, and though these turbulent times may have inspired mostly escapist pop about dance floor decadence, we live in a post-iPod era where the history of music is at our fingerprints. So as the Occupy Wall Street Movement grows, we thought the least we could do is put together a playlist to help the protestors in Zuccotti park and other occupied territories while away the hours and/or wash away the pepper-spray pain. And the best part? It's free to press play.
'Piggies'
The Beatles
Martin Scorsese's HBO documentary taught us that George Harrison was a divided soul -- one part spiritual shaman, one part pissed-off Scouser -- and this 'White Album' gem is strictly an Angry George production, with its unnerving description of over-privileged pigs "clutching forks and knives to eat the bacon." But while that may be a guaranteed applause line for Occupy Wall Streeters, beware: the quiet Beatle wasn't too impressed by the "little piggies crawling in the dirt," either.
'So Fresh, So Clean'
Outkast
It's possible we're being a tad cheeky including this strutting gem from Georgia's snazziest hip-hop duo in our playlist. After all, the camped-out diehard denizens of Zuccotti Park would probably trade a guitar and a tai chi lesson for a bar of soap and a hot shower at this point (patchouli can't cover up all smells, after all). That said, nobody's gotten fresher with New York's Finest than the Occupy crew. Georgia, you're on notice!
'Money for Nothing'
Dire Straits
This working man's anthem caused quite a stir back in '85, with its futuristic visuals, Sting cameo and controversial lyrics cribbed from a disgruntled appliance store employee in NYC, whom lead singer Mark Knopfler overheard muttering something along the lines of "That ain't workin', that's the way you do it/Money for nothin' and your chicks for free." But as the Great Recession has taught us, not even the banksters can get their money for nothing.
'Mo Money Mo Problems'
Biggie
One of hip-hop's greatest hits, the Diana Ross-sampling nouveau-riche lament has been made reference to in financial stories by the Economist, Yahoo and NPR, yet it's unclear which side would lay claim to this dancefloor mainstay. While Puff Daddy called "all the shots," taking the bankers' perspective with a "bag of money much longer than yours," Biggie clearly sought to stick up for his fellow millionaires, rapping "Where the true players at? Throw your Rollies in the sky/ Wave 'em side to side and keep your hands high." On second thought, definitely the real banker's anthem. Sorry, kids.
'F--- tha Police'
N.W.A.
One of the most controversial protest songs of all time, N.W.A.'s 1988 classic played its part in Australian radio station Triple J's protest against censorship in 1992, and ran in tandem with Public Enemy's 'Fight the Power' for 48 hours straight on a Belgrade radio station during the Serbian street protests of 1996. Though penned as an attack on the LAPD, the Occupy crowd is sure to relate to lines like "F--- that s---, 'cause I ain't the one/For a punk mothaf---a with a badge and a gun/To be beatin' on, and throwin' in jail." If the N.W.A. version doesn't move them, maybe try the Rage Against the Machine or Soulfly versions.
'F--- Authority'
Pennywise
Nothing quite captures the frustration of disenfranchised youth with the DIY immediacy of punk rock. There are thousands of punk rock tunes that embody the spirit of the Occupy Wall Street zeitgeist but we went with Pennywise's 'F--- Authority' because, well, it's pretty hard to misinterpret this message: "I say f--- authority/Silent majority/Raised by the system/Now it's time to rise against them."
'The Underdog'
Spoon
It's probably rare that it feels as jubilant and bouncy being the underdog as Spoon would make it seem, but maybe when one gathers en masse in downtown New York it begins to approach the jangly pleasure of this 'Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga' gem. "You got no time for the messenger/Got no regard for the thing that you don't understand/You got no fear of the underdog/That's why you will not survive." Take that Wall Street! Topical and hand-clap friendly.
'This Land Is Your Land'
Woody Guthrie
"By the relief office, I'd seen my people. As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking, is this land made for you and me?" This verse was one of two that were reportedly omitted from Woody Guthrie recordings of 'This Land Is Your Land.' Guthrie wrote the overtly political tune in 1940 as a response to Irving Berlin's 'God Bless America,' which the "Dust Bowl Troubadour" found, at the time, to be unrealistic and smug.
'Born Free'
M.I.A.
In this Suicide-sampling thumper by M.I.A. we get the feisty battle cry "I don't wanna live for tomorrow/I push my life today," a mantra that's clearly on the minds of those rallying against Wall Street. The riotous track takes aim at oppression, and whether you're a ginger or citizen feeling the squeeze of corporate greed, her clamorous call to arms will make you rage for the common good. (Just don't think about Maya's richie-rich husband).
'The Man Who Sold the World'
David Bowie
Survey the camped-out crowd and you'll get a laundry list of nominations for "the man who sold the world." And while the jury might be out on whether Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke or Goldman Sachs boss Lloyd Blankfein takes the cake, something the demonstrators can all agree on is the timeless appeal of Bowie's 1970 track -- though if you ask a fresh-faced Occupier they may mistakenly credit the tune to Nirvana.
'Corruption'
Iggy and the Stooges
Iggy Pop, in all his sinewy glory, would look right at home among the shirtless protesters down in Zuccotti Park. We'd bet that the Occupy Wall Street crowd would approve of the message in his 1999 single 'Corruption' as well. "Corruption, corruption, corruption rules my soul," the Stooges frontman growls over a dirty garage rock groove. It's an angry, cynical tune and the perfect anti-establishment anthem for the downtrodden masses.
'Soft Revolution'
Stars
Revolutions don't always happen overnight, and they're not all teargas and rioting. Canada's champions of woozy, romantic indie-pop paid tribute to these kinder, gentler revolutions with a cut from their Juno Award-nominated (and protest-inspired) 2004 album 'Set Yourself on Fire.' The lyrics wistfully recall the power of music in implementing social change, a belief stubbornly shared by the never-ending drum circle down on Wall Street.
'My Bologna'
Weird Al
What good would an Occupy Wall Street playlist be without an ode to mace-aficionado-turned-Internet-sensation Anthony Bologna? America got their first glimpse of Officer Tony Bologna when a shocking viral video started making the rounds of the white shirt cop assaulting unarmed protesters with pepper spray. In the end, his overzealous tactics ended up bringing more attention to the protesters' cause and made his name a national punchline, so let's celebrate his infamy with a Weird Al classic.
'Welcome to the Occupation'
R.E.M.
Too bad R.E.M. just broke up, because they'd be perfect as the next musical act to offer support to the Wall Street protesters. This cut from their 1987 classic 'Document,' which attacks America's '80s-era economic bum-rushing of Central America, is a veritable theme song for the Occupy movement with its slams against confusion-propagating Congress and Stipe's plaintive: "Here we stand and here we fight."
'I Need a Dollar'
Aloe Blacc
Few songs sum up the Great Recession more than this retro-soul heartbreaker. Kanye may still rap about his other other Benz, but Blacc is begging for dollars because "The boss man let me go/He said I'm sorry but I won't be needing your help no more." But what'll really hit home with the Occupy crowd is his subtle accusation of Wall Street complicity: "Bad times are comin' and I reap what I don't sow."
'Testify'
Rage Against the Machine
Not only is RATM's name particularly apropos to the current protests, but this fiery track from their 1999 'Battle of Los Angeles' LP boasts soundbites of then-presidential candidates George W. Bush and Al Gore claiming "we will be prosperous if we embrace free trade" and convincing us to "invest for the future." Perhaps the song should've been called 'Perjury.'
'5 Million Ways to Kill a C.E.O.'
The Coup
Best known for blowing up the Twin Towers on their unreleased album cover for 'Party Music' (it was designed in June 2011 as "a metaphor for the capitalist state being destroyed through the music") these agit-rappers went well beyond inflammatory imagery. The funky first single '5 Million Ways to Kill a C.E.O.' even features a verse instigating an anti-corporate uprising from Chi-Town to New York to Tokyo.
'Itchycoo Park'
Small Faces
The Occupy movement isn't the first hippie contingent to hang out in public parks. This gentle classic from U.K. mods Small Faces came out in 1967 and chronicled their lazy day adventures skipping school to hang out in Itchycoo Park (an East London green space so named for its stinging nettles) where they got high and cried because everything was "all too beautiful."
'Cause Equals Time'
Broken Social Scene
Perhaps BSS' recent politically tinged tunes like 'Texico B----' (slamming oil companies) and 'World Sick' (slamming world leaders) might be more appropriate, but this early classic by the sprawling collective -- which, come to think of it, is structured sorta like the Occupy folks -- perfectly embodies the protesters' plan to promote their cause simply by spending their time.
'Money Can't Buy You Class'
Countess LuAnn
The genius of this 'Real Housewives of New York City' star's viral song, 'Money Can't Buy You Class," works on so many levels when it comes to the Occupy Wall Street protest. For starters, yeah, money really can't buy you class. Isn't that part of the message protesters are trying to get across -- a shift in American's value system? But the fact that the "Countess" LuAnn De Lesseps embodies the excess and greed OWS is raging against makes this song pitch-perfect in its wretched irony.
'All About the Benjamins'
Puff Daddy and the Family
Diddy and crew's braggadocio raps about cruising in spoiler-accented Benzs and rocking Rolexs in this 1997 track proves little has changed when it comes to the rich getting richer and the poor bearing witness to the obvious economic inequality. "Why you ridin' mine?" Lil Kim asks. Answer: Because this sort of greed is just what the Occupy crowd is protesting against.
'Sixteen Tons'
Merle Travis
It's been 65 years since country singer Merle Travis first wrote and recorded 'Sixteen Tons,' detailing the plight of a coal miner, yet the past few years of economic turmoil has demonstrated that we still seem to give our souls to the company store. "You load sixteen tons, what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt."
'Career Opportunities'
Clash
What good would a demonstration be without a Clash song? On 'Career Opportunities,' Joe Strummer and Mick Jones might as well have been singing about today's lackluster job market, with the Wall Street banksters keeping their gigs -- not to mention, hefty bonuses -- while millions can't make a decent living. We'd bet Strummer would be downtown with an acoustic guitar, mingling with the protesters, ready to take a macing from the NYPD.
'Revolution'
The Beatles
We all want to change the world but John Lennon expressed some reservations about hopping on the protest bandwagon when he wrote this song in 1968, at the height of anti-Vietnam War demonstrations. "You say you got a real solution. Well you know, we'd all want to see the plan." Think about it, Occupiers.
'Won't Back Down'
Tom Petty
Hopefully this tune from Tom Petty's first solo album released in 1989 will help protesters get through those sleepless concrete nights in Zuccoti Park. When in doubt, let Petty be your guide, "I'll keep this world from draggin' me down/Gonna stand my ground and I won't back down."

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Henk Mutsaers

Hello,

Over the last few years I came across one thing after another witch made me think; “How could this be possible”, “How on earth could people be so evil, so inhuman?” Once you think you know it all there’s a new discovery that’s so obvious seeing the facts and details. I find it strange now a day being called a conspiracy thinker. Don’t the others investigate? Are they perceptual blind? I don’t get it!

Whatever others think, not ready to see and discover, simply can’t believe? I decided to take action and wrote this protest song; “Hope Comes In The Dark’. Recording it with top musicians to give it away. Because?

Because I, … want to live in a better world. Because I know so many nice people that want the same. Eating real unprocessed healthy foods, enjoying life, being rewarded for they’re work and living in a peaceful world.

One after the other government, calling themselves ‘leaders’ didn’t manage to create such a peaceful world. Isn’t it time to unite, stand together and tell them to leave the stage?

Are you with me?

It all started beginning this year in the Middle East. Now protests are going on in many countries in Europe, America and the rest of the world. Are we going to see the transition, the baldly needed change?

Download the song and start discovering.
www.hope-comes-in-the-dark.com

June 07 2012 at 5:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tiger Hat

Here's how one musician sums up OWS: An "Occupy" anthem called "No It's Not OK" that actually touches on some salient economic issues: http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_12826626

April 29 2012 at 6:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jake James-Vogel

I have written hundreds of protest songs over the past 10 years.
Here is a link to the one I just finished. I'd love some feedback. Free downloads. http://soundcloud.com/theradicalmove/confidence-men-1

March 09 2012 at 8:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Robert Horn

Here's my contribution to protest songs for 2011 and OWS:

http://youtu.be/8IgkJFNgmDY

December 18 2011 at 1:39 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
I am the Eclipse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNHOIYWj280
Five Iron Frenzy - Get Your Riot Gear

Perfect addition to this list

November 30 2011 at 4:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Billy White

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V0ZozkCF2A Check out this video from Prinxmikul. Prinxmikul is a world artist from Brooklyn, NY and he personally sat and talked to the protesters in Zuccotti Park. The conversations he had that evening inspired this song and video.

November 28 2011 at 1:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Billy White's comment
Steffanie Provitera

Hey billy it steff

June 20 2012 at 3:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Steffanie Provitera

How old are you

June 20 2012 at 3:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
drunken sufi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_B4jYvncNA&feature=player_embedded

new punkish song called bailout from my band...drunken sufis

November 01 2011 at 1:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
George Helou

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trqgT0jhw08

An empowering song and music for the occupy movement called 99 to 1.

Power to the people!

November 01 2011 at 1:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ladyladyred39

We need to add "Let's Stand Make A Change" by BlackGold Brothers
The link to this song is below........


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cptmXh5A1Yw

October 28 2011 at 11:19 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Michael Cox

Needs less violent songs for the non-violent movement.

October 23 2011 at 1:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply