Just Give Me My Equality:
A Look at Protest Music Throughout History
For as long as music has been around people have used it to express their thoughts, feelings, and opinions. Music allows us to express ourselves in a way that speaking or writing cannot. It serves to connect people and bring them together through song and harmony—what better way to protest than to use music to join others to a common cause. Music allows us to express the extreme feelings that lead to protest. From creating rhythmic chants to singing melodic songs, music enables humans to address issues that words alone cannot. There are many ways music can play a role in the world of protest, often on all sides of an issue. As these protest songs live on long after the movements are over, they remind us of that time, and why they were necessary. Protest songs are a great wealth of knowledge that can inform us about the time in which they were inspired.
Are there any protest songs that have inspired you to take action? What songs bring you back to the feelings you had when living through tough times? Can you compose some lyrics and/or music for the political and social injustices we are currently facing? We would love to hear them.
Explore the digital exhibit:
Reading Lists: Play Lists:
Black Protest Music Songs from "Protest Songs in America" by David M. Rosen
American Protest Music Songs from "Story Behind the Protest Song" by Hardeep Phull
Late 20th - 21st Century Protest Music Jazz Protest Music
World Protest Music
eBooks
BLM is one of the most active anti-racist movements of our time. Starting with a hashtag, it has developed into a network of organizations, protests, movements, and more. The mistreatment of black people by the police force is being brought to the forefront with protests across our country, and even the world. People of all races are speaking up for something they strongly believe in and are making their voices heard.
How has music been involved? This book discusses how the BLM movement and music are intrinsically linked. Modern music such as Kendrick Lamar's "Alright," J. Cole's "Be Free," and The Game's "Don't Shoot," among others have become unofficial anthems for the movement. The authors of this book focus on individual case studies and how African American music can be utilized in higher education across America. This book encourages dialog and discusses how academics should reconsider how they include black struggles in their instruction and research.
1939. 81 years ago. Billie Holiday, jazz legend, recorded "Strange Fruit," a song, considered by many, to be the first song of significance to the Civil Rights Movement. It remains relevant to today's society. Its mournful and heart wrenching sound and candid lyrics are the first to directly address the lynching of African Americans in the south. The lyrics of this song were written by the Jewish schoolteacher, communist sympathizer, songwriter, and poet, Abel Meeropol. This book examines the song, "Strange Fruit," the Civil Rights Movement, and the lives of both Holiday and Meeropol. Listen below.
Rock Against Racism (RAR) was a British movement in the 1970s opposing racism and fascism. It is considered one of the most successful movements in the post war period. Alongside the Anti-Nazi League, RAR organized concerts, carnivals, marches as protest. This book discusses the movement and why Punk and Reggae music were used, and explores interviews with activists and critics, and the controversial "celebrity politics."
This book encompasses 50 influential protest songs dating from 1911 - 2005. It begins with a song that developed from a tune for religious people called "We Shall Overcome," and continues into to the labor movement, then to an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement, and on. Concluding with System of a Down's 2005 release of "B.Y.O.B." which stands for Bring Your own Bomb, and expresses guitarist's Daron Malakian's disapproval of the government's commercials for military service. This book covers a wide range of protest songs and movements.
Dick Weissman tackles the deep relationship in America between culture, politics, and music. Covering topics including Native Americans, African Americans, women, and Latinx, he spans all genres from pop and punk to folk and more. Exploring music of hate, such as neo-Nazi music, as well as the music of immigrants in the early 1900s, this book includes a wide range of protest music and music for change.
This songbook by David M. Rosen is filled with the lyrics of many songs of protest. "When laws are fram'd, the poor must lie/ Distrest beneath the nobles' eye/ Unpity'd there, to waste their beneath/In fruitless prayers 'till free'd by death" - Anti-Aristocratic protest. Rosen also includes a variety of music about anti-slavery, from spirituals to the songs of white abolitionists. This book holds labor songs, anti-discrimination music, personal freedom songs, and more.
Published in 2019, this book takes a look at our country's history through songs of protest. It includes songs of Gay Pride, Women's Rights, Freedom of Speech, Immigration, Civil Rights, and much more. Sullivan takes the reader through the last century with the music that spoke of the political and social unrest of the time. This book will encourage the reader to form an educated opinion on all of the above protest movements.
Strange Fruit Lyrics by Abel Meeropol
Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Pastoral scene of the gallant South
Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck
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My Country 'Tis of Thee A.G. Duncan My country,' tis of thee, |
Our father’s God! to thee, |
B.Y.O.B. Why do they always send the poor? Barbarisms by barbaras Marching forward hypocritic and Everybody's going to the party, have a real good time Kneeling roses disappearing into Hangers sitting dripped in oil Everybody's going to the party, have a real good time Everybody's going to the party, have a real good time Blast off! Where the f**k are you?
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Why don't presidents fight the war? Why do they always send the poor? Kneeling roses disappearing into Hangers sitting dripped in oil Everybody's going to the party, have a real good time Everybody's going to the party, have a real good time Where the f**k are you? Why don't presidents fight the war? Why do they always send the poor? |
You’re One Day Old and No Damn Good Hush little babe, don't be forlorn No hush my babe, you're right to squawk Some day you may be President This nightmare, babe, can't last the night |