Protest Songs

by Jeff Suwak

In 1991, a political activist challenged R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe with one of the musician's own lyrics. "The time to rise has been engaged," the activist said, summoning a line from "Finest Worksong" to provoke Stipe to take more definitive action against the Gulf War.

Stipe responded with another of his own lyrics, this one from "Talk About the Passion." "Not everyone can carry the weight," Stipe said. "I'm going to breakfast. See you later."

Three decades earlier, Bob Dylan expressed a similar sentiment when he introduced his first performance of "Blowin' in the Wind" with the statement, "This here ain't no protest song or anything like that, 'cause I don't write no protest songs."

These and countless other examples illustrate the strained relationship that musicians have with their own "protest songs." The performers learn rather quickly to avoid the pitfalls of being politicized and allowing the media to transform them into heroic effigies that will have their brains promptly bashed in by fans resentful of the fact that musicians can't actually save the world.

Yet, despite those misgivings, the lure of the protest song seems almost inescapable for most acts who stay in the game for any length of time.

This strained relationship extends to the fans, as well. The same people who search hungrily for songs to fill their need for moral outrage one day will deride the music as pretentious and empty-headed the next.

Through it all, the protest song persists, occasionally making its way into the popular culture. In this quiz, we explore ten protest songs that made particularly potent impressions.
List of Protest Songs
More Music Quiz

Comments: 11

  • Zonnemarie from The Netherlandsinteresting I had eight right answers.
  • Keith from Wales9 right - but then I don't know many REM songs!
  • Dr. Kuku from Northampton, UkLOVE this quiz. More, please.
  • Buckeye Boy from OhioI thought I knew the protest song however I was wrong on most of them. I need to study more on my supposed knowledge and I grew up during the Vietnam war.
  • Ciaobabi from Interlachen,flMissed 3. Initially thought -better with coke- but went with -whiter teeth. Wrong answer but better lifestyle choice.
  • Johnnytainment from OhioA few good guesses except for ohio and elvis
  • Johnnytainment from OhioA few good guesses except for ohio
  • Gromit from Nice (france)Great songs ! I didn't think to perform so well ;o)
  • Dan from MichiganExcellent representation of protest songs through the decades. I wonder if recent events will inspire new songs?
  • Ashley Milne from Masterson, New ZealandAwesome, bet I missed half!
  • Bruno from LimaVery well...!!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin Popoff

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin PopoffSong Writing

A talk with Martin Popoff about his latest book on Rush and how he assessed the thousands of albums he reviewed.

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Judas Priest

Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford, Richie Faulkner and Glenn Tipton talk twin guitar harmonies and explain how they create songs in Judas Priest.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.