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!!”
Will Hoge – Sweet Misery – (Edlo Records)
Ellefson Soto – Unbreakable – (Rat Pak Records)
Chevelle – Bright As Blasphemy – (Alchemy Recordings / BMG)
Maroon 5 – Love is Like – (Interscope Records)
Van Halen – Balance (Expanded Edition) – (Rhino Records / Warner Records)
As December Falls – Everything’s On Fire But I’m Fine – (As December Falls)
Deep Purple – Made In Japan (Steven Wilson Remix) – (Purpletuity Ltd / Rhino Records)
Rise Against – Ricochet – (Loma Vista Recordings / Concord)
Billy Idol – Dream Into It – (Dark Horse Records)
H.E.A.T. – Welcome to the Future – (earMusic)
Ghost – Skeleta – (Loma Vista Recordings)
Harem Scarem – Chasing Euphoria – (Frontiers Records)
Whitesnake – Access All Areas: Live – (Rhino Records)
Will Hoge – Blackbird On A Lonely Wire (Will’s Version) – (Will Hoge)
Frehley’s Comet – Live +1: The Expanded Version) – (Friday Music Two)
Samantha Fish – Paper Doll – (Rounder Records / Concord)
Willie Nelson – Oh What A Beautiful World – (Legacy Recordings)
Sting – Sting 3.0 Live – (A&M Records)
The Sex Pistols – Live in the U.S.A. 1978 – (Ume)
Stereophonics – Make ‘Em Laugh, Make ‘Em Cry, Make ‘Em Wait – (EMI / Universal Music)
Yngwie Malmsteen – Tokyo Live – (Music Theories)
Simple Minds – Live in the City of Diamonds – (BMG Rights Mgmt)
Coco Jones – Why Not More? – (High Standardz / Def Jam / UMG)
Smokey Robinson – What The World Needs Now – (Gaither Music Group)
Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra – Still Blooming – (Decca Records / Universal Music)
Robin Trower – Come And Find Me – (Artone Label Group / Provogue)
Machine Head – Unatoned – (Nuclear Blast X Imperium Recordings)
Wednesday 13 – Mid Death Crisis – (Napalm Records)
Art Nation – The Ascendance – (Frontiers Records)
Russ Ballard – Songs From the Warehouse/The Hits Rewired – (Frontiers Records)
James And The Cold Gun – Face In The Mirror – (Loosegroove Records)
Eyes – Spinner – (Prosthetic Records)
Sunflower Bean – Mortal Primetime – (Lucky Number)
Eluveitie – Anv – (Nuclear Blast)
Landmvrks – The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been – (Arising Empire)
Conan – Violence Dimension – (Heavy Psych Sounds)
Caliban – Back From Hell – (Century Media Records)
Coffin Feeder – Big Trouble – (Coffin Feeder)
Ancient Bards – Artifex – (Limb Music Publishing)
Game Over – Face The End – (Scarlet Records)
Cancer – Inverted World – (Peaceville)
Trick or Treat – Ghosted – (Scarlet Records)
Employed to Serve – Fallen Star – (Spinefarm Music Group)
Cosmic Cathedral – Deep Water – (InsideOutMusic)
Oak – The Third Sleep – (Karisma Records)
Rodeo Boys – Junior – (Don Giovanni Records)
Jawdropped – Just Fantasy E.P. – (Fire Talk)
Cloth – Pink Silence – (Rock Action Records)
Viagra Boys – Viagr Aboys – (Shrimptech Enterprises)
Fib – Heavy Lifting – (Julia’s War Recordings)
d4vd – Withered – (Darkroom / Interscope Records)
William Tyler – Time Indefinite – (Psychic Hotline)
Samia – Bloodless – (Grand Jury Music)
WesGhost – Am I Dreaming? – (Columbia Records / Sony Music)
Uwade – Florilegium – (Ehiose Records / Thirty Tigers)
Hannah Rose Platt – Fragile Creatures – (Xtra Mile Recordings)
Stephen Stanley – Trustfall – (Sparrow Records / Capitol CMG)
Tucker Wetmore – What Not To – (Back Blocks Music)
Wilder Woods – Curioso – (Dualtone Music Group / MNRK Records)
Will Hoge – Carousel – (Will Hoge)
Dave Matthews Band – Where Are You Going: The Singles – (RCA Records / Sony Music)
Dream Theater – Parasomnia – (Ytse Jams Inc. / InsideOutMusic)
Nessa Barrett – Aftercare (Deluxe) – (Warner Records)
Kendrick Lamar – GNX – (PG Lang / Interscope Records)
Guided By Voices – Universe Room – (GBV Inc)
Manic Street Preachers – Critical Thinking – (Sony Music)
Thundermother – Dirty & Divine – (AFM Records / Soulfood Music Distribution)
JohnnySwim – When the War is Over – (Mr And Mrs Swim)
2 Loud 2 Old Music 