¿Which Side Are You On?

Album: ¿Which Side Are You On? (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The title track of singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco's seventeenth album is a revised version of a 1931 Florence Reece song, which was later popularized by Pete Seeger. DiFranco transforms it from a labor protest tune to a leftist anthem over marital drums.

    They stole a few elections
    Still we the people won
    We voted out corruption and
    Big corporations,

    We voted for an end to war
    New direction
    We ain't gonna stop now
    Until our job is done
  • At the age of 92, Seeger pops up on the track providing accompanying vocals and banjo.
  • Joining DiFranco and Seeger on the song are a Hudson Valley-based children's chorus, The Rivertown Kids, and a brass band consisting of students from The Roots of Music called The Roots of Music Marching Crusaders.
  • DiFranco was inspired to record her version of this protest anthem after being invited to perform at Seeger's 90th birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden in May 2009. She contributed her own verses to the song and has used it to close her own live shows ever since.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.