December 12, 2006

Progresive Music Mix Vol. 1

A few points before I get to the list of songs. I limited the numbers of songs by Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen because I could make an entire list of just the songs of any one of them but I felt that I should try a get a variety of songs on the list. The only real criterion was that it speak about progressive values, regardless of in which era the music was written, the artist, or the style of music. The songs are in no particular order.

And on to the list.


Neil Young - Keep on Rocking in the Free world

This protest song is still as relevant today as it was when it was first written. This song touches on inequities in society. It is a condemnation of the supply-side economic policies of President Reagan.

The economic realities of the 1980's with increasing social problems such as homelessness and drug abuse made Young mock the campaign promises of President Bush as hollow rhetoric.

Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA

Ronald Reagan was wrong when he chose this song for his reelection campaign theme song as it is an idictment of Reagan's policies. The song talks about the hardships of coming from a low-income household and the futility of the Vietnam War.

Bob Dylan - Blowing in the Wind

One of the best anti-war songs ever written. This song's message hasn't changed just the war that its about.

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five - The Message

A classic Rap song with a classic message, that politicians are ignoring those who need their help the most.

Eminem - Mosh

This rap song that was written for the 2004 election is more than just an anti-Bush song, it is also a condemnation of conservatism and war. The song was released to help encourage the youth to vote. And any suck with the lyric "Fuck Bush" gets an A in my book.

Live - What Are We Fighting For

This is an anti-war song written about the current quagmire in Iraq. The chorus of the song is What are we fightin' for? I really think that about sums up this debacle.

Rage Against the Machine - Sleep Now in the Fire.

On January 26th, 2000, filming of their music video "Sleep Now in the Fire", directed by Michael Moore, shut down the New York Stock Exchange. The NYSE locked its doors midday in response to fears of crowds gathering to watch the filming. The band saw its music primarily as a vehicle for social activism.

Nine Inch Nails - The Hand that Feeds

Trent Reznor, lead singer of Nine Inch Nails was told that he couldn't perform this song with a picture of George W. Bush on stage with him. He responded with a great quote:

"Nine Inch Nails will not be performing at the MTV Movie Awards as previously announced. We were set to perform The Hand That Feeds with an unmolested, straightforward image of George W. Bush as the backdrop. Apparently, the image of our president is as offensive to MTV as it is to me. See you on tour this fall when we return to play in America."

Green Day - American Idiot

The song "American Idiot" has been described by the band as their public statement in reaction to the confusing and warped scene that is American pop culture since September 11th. It is just a very good an Anti-Bush song.

Jimi Hendrix - Star Spangled banner

This was played on the last day of Woodstock in 1969. It was his first gig since the breakup of the Jimi Hendrix Experience and it was quite memorable. Hendrix played the Star-Spangled Banner on his electric guitar that's been called everything from the most important political rock statement of the 1960s to an afterthought caught in one of Hendrix's worst performances. I just think it was great.

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