good compilation, but I’m shocked at the omission of Sleater-Kinney. Before anti-Bush sentiment was in vogue and before Natalie Maines accidentally became an anti-war poster-child for an offhanded joke she made, S-K released the brilliant protest album “One Beat.”

Comment by stever — July 22, 2007 @ 2:27 pm

I believe you should have included “J.P.M.F.Y.F” by Tim Easton from his outstanding Ammunition album:

“Jesus protect me/Jesus protect me/from your followers/Not all of them/just the ones who turn love into fear and hatred/and the ones who say they are above me/and then point their fingers down at me/and tell me on my doorstep that I will burn in hell.”

A protest song these days that is not a formulaic rehash is rare, but Easton is perfect here.

Comment by Mark Tate from Western NY State — July 23, 2007 @ 3:06 pm

Uh, is there a joke here I’m missing? I really don’t see there being ANY sort of top protest song lists without ATLEAST one Rage Against the Machine song on it. Considering pretty much every of of their mainstream hits were protesting something. And BYOB? I’m pretty sure BOOM! was the much more controversial protest song and video.

Comment by Franey97 from Toronto — July 24, 2007 @ 4:39 pm

“Uh, is there a joke here I’m missing? I really don’t see there being ANY sort of top protest song lists without ATLEAST one Rage Against the Machine song on it. Considering pretty much every of of their mainstream hits were protesting something. And BYOB? I’m pretty sure BOOM! was the much more controversial protest song and video.”

Took the words out of my mouth.  Apparently listening to music wasn’t a prerequisite for this list.

Comment by Eric — July 24, 2007 @ 4:44 pm

Thank you two for the RATM comments. I thought for sure there would be a Rage song on here before I even clicked the link.

Like Rocha says, “Fuck you! I won’t do what you tell me!”

Comment by Terry from dayton, oh — July 24, 2007 @ 6:17 pm

Other people beat me to “where the hell is Rage on this list” comment, but it doesn’t make it any less true.

Great omission from this site. Hey, you know that one band that founded it’s entire ideology on revolutionary action? You know, the one that enlightened countless people to the unknown injustices of Leonard Peltier and Mumia Abu-Jamal. No, you don’t remember? You sure you don’t remember that band that was saying “fuck the president” while Clinton was still in office? The same band that every single song from the catalogue banned from the radio post 9/11.

The writers of this piece botched this one BADLY. The day that fucking Bright Eyes is considered to have a better protest song than Rage Against the Machine, the Coup, Dead Prez, Immortal Technique and countless others is not just laughable, but proof at how ridiculous the writers’ opinions are.

Comment by Marvin — July 24, 2007 @ 6:51 pm

I’m glad I’m not the only one who was shocked to not see Rage on this list.  You could put their entire catalog into a hat and pick one at random and get a better protest song than fucking Bright Eyes.

Comment by Doug — July 24, 2007 @ 7:06 pm

The lack of Rage Against The Machine alone renders this list completely irrevelant.  Enough has been commented about that, so I won’t go on.

I was also disappointed to see “Peace Sells” by Megadeth not make the list.  I don’t know if there really has been a greater critique of American society in one song.

Some other ones I felt could have made the list easily: Dying Fetus “Kill Your Mother Rape Your Dog”, Pantera “Fucking Hostile”, Goodie MOB - hell anything off the album Soul Food.

Comment by thedividingline from ATL — July 24, 2007 @ 11:29 pm

Another very current omission is “Going To A Town” by Rufus Wainwright - beautiful song, straight to the point.

Comment by Demi — August 2, 2007 @ 1:46 pm

I was surprised that “I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ to Die Rag”, by Country Joe and the Fish was not included among the collection of protest songs. It accompanied many a war protest gathering in the late 60’s.

Comment by Michael from Portland Oregon — December 3, 2007 @ 4:45 am

Good list but… well…

No mention of The Clash, Fugazi, Billy Bragg, Bad Religion, Minutemen, X, REM, etc.

These artists (among others) made some of the most potent, relevant and artistically strong music of a political nature in the last quarter-century.

Many of their contributions have stood the test of time (and each have multiple songs you could’ve picked for your list), yet none are included… but Body Count (for instance) is. Hmmm.

Perhaps this list could’ve gone to 75 songs pretty easily and been a bit more complete.

Still, a good effort.

Comment by Jon Resh — January 29, 2008 @ 2:28 am