Tag: Donald Trump

The Protest Song is Back!!

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic20 Comments

Every generation has their fair share of protest songs. When there is government turmoil, civil unrest, a war or whatever event occurs that rubs people the wrong way, we get a protest song. I asked AI what is their definition of a protest song and was given this excellent definition:

A protest song is a musical composition that conveys dissent, social critique, or a call for action against injustices and prevailing political, social, or environmental conditions. These songs serve as, or are adopted by, social movements to raise awareness, mobilize communities, and articulate grievances.

The 60/70’s had a bunch of protest songs from “We Shall Overcome” by Pete Seeger and Joan Baez in 1963 about the civil rights movement and Sam Cooke in 1964 with A Change is Gonna Come” on racial equality. War is always a popular subject with “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye in 1971 as he plead for peace during the Vietnam War and don’t forget “Fortunate Son” by Creedance Clearwater Revival talking about the inequalities with the military draft.

The 80’s saw “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy rapping about systematic racism and oppression. Bruce Springsteen with “Born in the USA” in 1984 voicing the harsh treatment of the Vietnam veterans. “Biko” from Peter Gabriel speaking on South African apartheid. The early 2000’s saw a bunch as well with “American Idiot” in 2004 by Green Day criticizing the media and politics during the Iraq War and in 2018 “This is America” by Childish Gambino as he talked about gun violence and racism. The list could go on and on with all the great protest songs.

Here we are in 2026 and the protest song is seeing a revitalization thanks to the turmoil we are a seeing in America under the Trump Administration. And let me tell you, in the 14 months Trump has been back in office for a second term, it has been utter chaos. From his push to make Canada the 51st state, his desire for Greenland, overthrowing the Venezuela government, to the ICE raids, the Epstein Files and so many more. And the head of the Board of Peace starts a war with Iran…It is way past the point of ridiculousness. Well, the ridiculous happened when he changed the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America…now we are way into the realm of ludicrous.

I have total respect for the “Office” of the President, but I have ZERO respect for this President. I am a registered Republican that did not vote for this man and knew what kind of chaos we would be in for four years under his term. And he has not proven me wrong once. And holy crap, it has only been 14 months and I’m already exhausted from the chaos. I don’t want to be quiet anymore. He is the most despicable human being I’ve ever seen, the biggest man child to ever be and a complete and utter disgrace to the Office that he holds.

Continue reading “The Protest Song is Back!!” →

My Sunday Song – “Icky Thump” by The White Stripes

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic9 Comments

For My Sunday Song #463, we are going to talk the still applicable song today, “Icky Thump” by The White Stripes. Why do I say still applicable today? Well, the song is about immigration and was written back in the George Bush administration in 2007. As you know, immigration is a hot topic today with all the ICE raids and Border Patrol operations (who were recently in Charlotte arresting a lot of people). It is a topic that I don’t see going away anytime soon. The song was released on April 26, 2007 and went to #26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and even #1 on the Alternative Charts going Platinum selling over a 1 million copies. Very successful for sure.

The song was written by Jack and Meg White and they were really having fun this track. The title, ‘Icky Thump’ comes from a Northern English phrase called ‘Ecky Thump’ which are both euphemisms for the word ‘Hell’. I guess that means the song means Hell Hell. Jack is a staunch Democrat and was completely against all the immigration talk back in the day and wanted to remind everyone that the Whites in the U.S. were immigrants at one time too. If they have a problem with immigration they should kick themselves out for that very reason. He was pointing out the hypocrisy of it all. This whole idea of the song is still relevant today.

The song is about a guy that takes a trip to Mexico and has no problems going South into Mexico (unlike those trying to go North into the U.S.). He meets a woman who houses him and feeds him, but she then assaults him and holds him hostage. Which I am sure he greatly deserved. A very weird song lyrically, but the flow is something only Jack White can do.

Musically, it is pure garage rock with lots of distortion. Jack makes his guitar speak a language that is hard to fathom how he does it, In case you are wondering, Jack used a 1959 Univox synth and during the solo he used Zvex Wooly Mammoth and a DigiTech Whammy pedal to get that really cool sound. Meg’s drums were a constant pounding beat like a marching army. It is a rip roaring track that is everything I love about The White Stripes. It is amazing that these two people can make so much incredible music.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Icky Thump” by The White Stripes” →

My Sunday Song – “Modern World” by Aldo Nova

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic9 Comments

For My Sunday Song #351, we are starting a 10 song set of songs by Aldo Nova. You know him from the early 80’s with his massive hit “Fantasy”. But he is way more than that song and we will walk through a bunch for you over the next 10 weeks (including “Fantasy” because why not). First up is the song “Modern World” off his 1991 album ‘Blood on the Bricks’. The song was written by Aldo and his pal Jon Bon Jovi. You might not know that Aldo worked with Jon on a bunch of demos back way before there was a Bon Jovi and was John Bongiovi. But that is another story for another day.

The song is a dark commentary on the world that was the late 80’s and early 90’s. The sleaze, the drugs, the crime were all up and the world seemed to be a dark place and they lyrics captured it beautifully. He even takes a big dig at Donald Trump for his womanizing and awful business tactics long before he was President. Marion Barry, mayor of Washington D.C. also wasn’t safe from his wrath as he bashed him for his drug addictions. No one was safe in this song. It is a really dark take on the world and we are happier for it as we got this song.

Musically, the song is as dark as the lyrics. The song opens with a nasty, dirty guitar riff and an angry sadistic sounding drum beat. Aldo sings it with a lot of attitude and anger to match the despair in the music. But like any song Jon is involved in, it has the hooks to draw you in as that chorus filled with harmonies and great background singers adding more effect to the song. It is a solid rocker and shows that Aldo was more than keyboards and that sometimes the guitar riff was king.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Modern World” by Aldo Nova” →

My Sunday Song – “The Overthrow” by Will Hoge

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic9 Comments

For My Sunday Song #261, we are going to tackle 10 songs from one of my favorite artist, Will Hoge. First up is the song “The Overthrow” off his 2020 album, ‘Tiny Little Movies’. The album is so raw and honest and this song is no different. Will has a way of painting a picture of America’s landscape with his lyrics and he doesn’t hold back on this one.

Will doesn’t intentionally write political charged songs, they tend to write themselves I would guess. When he puts pen to paper and plays that first chord, I imagine the song takes on a life of its own. This song dives in to the deep end and takes on the President of the U.S.A. and many might not appreciate his candor. With lyrics like “Darth Vader with a spray tan” pretty much tells you who he is talking about. He talks about how the man is tearing the country apart and that the people about to stand up and take it all back. They are going to Overthrow him with their votes and send his ass packing and that is what happened.

Musically, it is one of Will’s heaviest, rocking tracks and won’t be typical of what I have for you with this series but I wanted to start with a bang and this one does it. It is dirty, gritty, raw and is like a fist to the face. It is straight up rock & rolll with a little punk edge at least that is what I get from it. Will’s gritty vocals are a perfect match to the music. For me, the drums and that guitar are the highlights as they are both so powerful and are making a statement just like the lyrics. It all blends together perfectly with the vocals and you get a song that grabs hold, shakes you a little and doesn’t let go. Hold on tight!

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “The Overthrow” by Will Hoge” →