Throughout decades people have used music as a way to protest. Whether they’re protesting war or abuse or even the economy, many people used songs as means to get their point across. Even modern day artists write songs that could be used during protests. Sometimes these songs try and lighten the minds of people, even if the thought of that is very slim.
Many artists have written songs about protesting wars or being anti-war. John Lennon wrote many songs protesting war. His most famous songs are “Give Peace a Chance” and “Imagine”. Even though he’s manly known for those two he wrote many more. “Give Peace a Chance” was wrote in protest of the Vietnam war and recorded in a hotel room in Amsterdam. Linkin Park, starting their career in the 90’s have wrote: “Hands Held High”, “The Catalyst”, and “Wisdom, Justice, and Love”. Protesting war doesn’t stop at these artists. Many others followed these two trying to make a point. However, nobody has truly been successful seeing as wars are still going on and haven’t been stopped.
War is only the beginning of things people protest, few have written songs about abuse and how not much is done until someone dies. Martina McBride has written “Independence Day”, “Concrete Angel”, and “Broken Wing” as a way to show the truth. Jason Michael Carroll wrote “Alyssa Lies” in 2007 to show that people see what’s happening, but they don’t really know what to do. Carroll’s song is about a father whose daughter has a new friend who’s abused and is eventually killed. The song was written to show that sometimes abuse can go too far and can kill.
Bullying is also a huge factor into today’s world. Being a broad category there are many different categories that fit under it. “We Shall Be Free” by Garth Brooks written in 1992 is protesting against homophobia. Brooks’ song says that once we all learn to look past skin color and different ethnicities we will all be able to be ourselves, to love who we love no matter the gender. In today’s life people are unable to be themselves, do to bullying. Many people are anti-bullying, but it still stands.
Racism protested and still around is another problem many people face. “Fight The Power” by Public Enemy written in 1989. “Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud” by James Brown in 1968. “F--- Tha Police” by N.W.A. written in 1988. All these artists are black men that were sick of being judged because of their skin color. N.W.A.’s song deals more with racial profiling in police stations, hints the title of their song. Not all people protesting racism is a black man or women, Ronnie Dunn wrote “We All Bleed Red” in 2011. This song can mean many things, and one of them is racism. The song says that we are all the same; we do the same things, bleed the same color, so why keep fighting and pretending others aren’t the same because they are a little different.
Protest music isn’t limited to wars, abuse, bullying, or racism, but everything a person can object to. If students really wanted to, they could protest homework. “Undefeated” by Robb Johnson was used in the anti-cuts march in London. A song protesting schooling cuts. Children were even involved wishing their homework would be cut instead of their school. Showing once again; that music is used to protest, when words are unable to be used.
