Political Music

[Pant Leg Eater from the Bad World]

Do you listen to it? Do you like it?

I do. I listen to Rise Against and Anti-Flag a lot. I also like NOFX. Yeah, I like my political punk. I don't agree with all of it, but it is good music and strong opinions that draw me into it, whether or not I agree with the opinions.

Does anyone have any other political bands they listen to? Care to share?

Anyways, Political music. Discuss it.

[Araciel]

rage, bad religion, bob marley....that's about as political as i get

i only listen to music for its musical value, the message is tertiary at best

[Madame Adequate]

Springsteen.

[jrgen]

Laibach

[El Bandito]

Public Enemy

Nobody can match the anger in Chuck D's verses.

Them and Rage get extra credit for actually going out and protesting or doing other community activities to actually promote change rather than just running their mouths like so many other new artists who only dip their toes in politics.

[Kirobaito]

Tom Paxton was the King of Political Music in the 60's, and still loves to do it now.

Of course, who wasn't a political songwriter in the 60's? But Tom put together phenomenal songs in the 60's about Vietnam, Lyndon Johnson, the Civil Rights movement, and other things that provide both political and humorous value.

[XxSephirothxX]

I think I like it more when it's from a past era, or maybe I simply enjoy songs that are social criticisms and not political ones. Politically influenced music from 30 years ago can be pretty interesting, but I don't like current stuff that much, because you pretty much know it's going to be "I hate George Bush blah blah oil blah blah etc." I might agree with it, but I don't think it's really very interesting to listen to.

[blim]

Yeah i like political punk, stuff like Crass, Dead Kennedys, Chaotic Dischord and a lot of folk music is political as well esp Woodie Guthrie and some Roy Harper. I would much rather listen to a band who have something to say than the usual boy-meets-girl crap.

Also Gong, System of a down, Billy Bragg and the afore mentioned Rage, dont like NOFX though,not punky enough for me.

[I Took the Red Pill]

RATM was wonderful, Wyclef Jean impressed me with If I Was President.

[blim]

are wonderful, i gather they've reformed Woo Hoo

[fire_of_avalon]

I like every performer/group that has been mentioned so far, yes.

[chrisfffan]

i hate anything to do with politics and its even worse with music i hate that song that goes (every ones going to war we don’t know what we are fighting for) i don’t think they should make these songs because it doesn’t matter if its any good or not if someone is against the war they will probably buy it i think its a cheap way of making music.

[escobert]

"Yo, there's brothers on the block, posted up like they own it
That's they corner, from New York to California
Got blocks locked down
Like, "dog you safe whenever you with me, see this is my town"
So the youngsters, grows in ghettos, goes to prison
At an early age, already know it's against him
So in order for him to survive one day he must
Open up his eyes to the set backs and rise
'Cause, everybody wants a shot, in this land of opportunity
Look at what this country's got
There shouldn't be nobody homeless
How can the president fix other problems when he ain't fixed home yet
The earth wasn't made for one man to rule alone
To all colors and creeds is to whom it belongs
I want land, mansions, banks and gold
The diamonds in Africa, oil in my control
The world's natural resources, all its residuals
But then comes foes, I have to guard it with missels
And I become the most wanted
But is it worth hearin a million people problems and followed by Secret Service
I guess, attempts at my life with loaded barrels
So move over Colin Powell or just throw in the towel, yo"


-Nas "Rule"

[chrisfffan]

a lot of what Colin Powell said came true according to my parents.

[GooeyToast]

Godspeed You! Black Emperor. They say so much without saying anything at all.

[Venom]

Public Enemy.:cool:

[Ryth]

Tons of bands. Political music can be really great.

[Momiji]

I freaking LOVE Rise Against. Sure, I don't agree with all of their songs, but the lyrics are just so powerful. And not ALL of their songs are really political, some are about conservation ("Ready to Fall" (That's quoted in my location!) and "The Good Left Undone") and other songs like "Injection" and "Survive".

I also like Green Day somewhat (even though they aren't THAT political), and some of System of a Down's songs are okay, don't care for them much though.

[blim]

My band are considering covering the Internationale

Arise, ye workers from your slumber,
Arise, ye prisoners of want.
For reason in revolt now thunders,
and at last ends the age of cant!
Away with all your superstitions,
Servile masses, arise, arise!
We'll change henceforth the old tradition,
And spurn the dust to win the prize!
So comrades, come rally,
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale,
Unites the human race.
So comrades, come rally,
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale,
Unites the human race.

No more deluded by reaction,
On tyrants only we'll make war!
The soldiers too will take strike action,
They'll break ranks and fight no more!
And if those cannibals keep trying,
To sacrifice us to their pride,
They soon shall hear the bullets flying,
We'll shoot the generals on our own side.
So comrades, come rally,
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale,
Unites the human race.
So comrades, come rally,
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale,
Unites the human race

No saviour from on high delivers,
No faith have we in prince or peer.
Our own right hand the chains must shiver,
Chains of hatred, greed and fear.
E'er the thieves will out with their booty,
And to all give a happier lot.
Each at his forge must do their duty,
And we'll strike the iron while it's hot.
So comrades, come rally,
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale,
Unites the human race.
So comrades, come rally,
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale,
Unites the human race

[Old Manus]

Ice Cube

[Mythra]

The really only political bands I can think of that I listen to would have to be Rage Against the Machine (gotta love Morello on guitar) and System of a Down. I would have loved to seen RATM live, too bad they are only doing that one show in California.

[jrgen]

Godspeed You! Black Emperor. They say so much without saying anything at all.
That's more like anti-political music though.

[ljkkjlcm9]

not every band is political, but I guarantee you, at least every band has written one political song. It's something about becoming famous that makes people think they know everything. I hate it when celebs talk about stuff they know nothing about. Now some bands only play political music, fine. But others that have an occassional song, or try to mask it, no. Play music, that's what you do. Actors? Act in a movie, that's what you do. I rarely believe an actor actually has any idea what's going on in the real world, unless they really try to

THE JACKEL

[GooeyToast]

Godspeed You! Black Emperor. They say so much without saying anything at all.
That's more like anti-political music though.

It still deals with politics though.

[Rostum]

John Butler Trio and Bob Marley.

[Shine On...]

Godspeed You! Black Emperor. They say so much without saying anything at all.

I love you. :love:

So true, the best political band ever in my books. (They have some very political spoken word interludes though, such as Blaise Bailey Finnigan III)

[jrgen]

not every band is political, but I guarantee you, at least every band has written one political song.
That's not true.

[Resha]

I think I like it more when it's from a past era
Indeed. Political songs from by-gone days are like the Eye of the Tiger for when I do History homework. Incredibly inspiring. All those songs about Vietnam and Watergate and from Woodstock and you get this immense understanding of what people were really feeling then. But political songs from now -- no comment. I'm not going to actively support them unless I agree with them, and I'm not going to be swayed by a song neither. :D