34 Songs About Democracy (Pop, Rap & More)

Foundations of Music

34 Songs About Democracy (Pop, Rap & More)

I. Christian Songs About Democracy

1. We Shall Overcome by Mahalia Jackson

Artist: Mahalia Jackson
Album:
Year:

We Shall Overcome is a song about hope and resilience in the face of adversity. It is about overcoming obstacles and continuing to fight for what is right, even when the odds seem insurmountable. The song is a rallying cry for justice and equality, and it has been used as an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement.

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II. Country Songs About Democracy

1. The Times They Are A-Changin’ by Bob Dylan

Artist: Bob Dylan
Album: The Times They Are a-Changin’
Year: 1964

The song is about how the world is constantly changing and how people need to change with it. Dylan sings about how the old ways of doing things are no longer effective and how people need to adapt to the new ways. He also talks about how the future is always unknown and how people need to be prepared for it.

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2. We Shall Overcome by Pete Seeger

Artist: Pete Seeger
Album:
Year:

The song is about continuing to fight even when the odds seem insurmountable. It talks about how we shall overcome someday, but in the meantime, we have to keep fighting.

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3. Blowin’ in the Wind by Bob Dylan

Artist: Bob Dylan
Album: The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan
Year: 1963

The song is a protest against the American government and its policies. It is a call for change and an end to the violence and injustice that Dylan sees around him. The song is also a plea for peace and understanding, and a hope that someday the world will be a better place.

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4. The Battle Hymn of the Republic by Julia Ward Howe

Artist: Julia Ward Howe
Album:
Year:

The Battle Hymn of the Republic is a patriotic song written by Julia Ward Howe during the American Civil War. The song is based on the tune of “John Brown’s Body” and calls for God’s justice against the enemies of the Union. The song became popular among Union soldiers and was later adopted as the official song of the Republican Party.

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5. I’m Proud to Be an American by Lee Greenwood

Artist: Lee Greenwood
Album: You’ve Got a Good Love Comin’
Year: 1984

The song is about patriotism and being proud to be an American. The lyrics talk about the freedoms that we have in America and how lucky we are to live in such a great country.

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III. R&B Songs About Democracy

1. A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke

Artist: Sam Cooke
Album: Ain’t That Good News
Year: 1964

“A Change Is Gonna Come” is a song by Sam Cooke, released in December 1964 on RCA Victor. Written in response to the Civil Rights Movement, it has been referred to as “a declaration of hope and faith in the future”.[1] The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

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2. Sam Cooke by Sam Cooke

Artist: Sam Cooke
Album: Ain’t That Good News
Year: 1964

The song is a ballad about a man who is in love with a woman who is in love with someone else. The man is trying to convince the woman to forget about the other man and love him instead.

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3. We Are the World by U.S.A. for Africa

Artist: U.S.A. for Africa
Album: We Are the World
Year: 1985

The song “We Are the World” was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and performed by a supergroup of American artists in 1985. The song was written in response to the famine in Ethiopia and it raised over $63 million for relief efforts. The song became an international hit and won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

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4. Respect by Aretha Franklin

Artist: Aretha Franklin
Album: I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Year: 1967

The song Respect by Aretha Franklin is about a woman demanding respect from her man. She is tired of being treated like a doormat and wants him to show her some respect. She sings about how she has given him everything and how she deserves to be treated better. The song is a powerful anthem for women everywhere who feel like they are not being respected.

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5. Marvin Gaye by Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)

Artist: Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
Album:
Year:

The song is about the struggles that African Americans face in inner cities. The song talks about the poverty, violence, and racism that they experience on a daily basis. The song also talks about how these struggles can make people want to give up on life.

6. What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye

Artist: Marvin Gaye
Album: What’s Going On
Year: 1971

The song is about peace and love and the problems that come with them. Gaye is asking what’s going on with the world and why there is so much hate. He wonders why we can’t all just get along and live in peace.

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7. John Legend by John Legend

Artist: John Legend
Album: Evolver
Year: 2008

The song is about the singer’s love for a woman named John. He talks about how she is the only one who has ever understood him and how she makes him feel complete. He also mentions how she is the only one who knows how to make him laugh and how she is the only one who can make him cry.

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8. Sly & The Family Stone by Sly & The Family Stone

Artist: Sly & The Family Stone
Album: Stand!
Year: 1969

The song is about a family band who is trying to make it in the music industry. They are struggling to get gigs and are constantly being rejected. However, they refuse to give up and continue to pursue their dream. The song is inspirational and motivating, and encourages people to never give up on their dreams.

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9. We Shall Overcome by Mahalia Jackson

Artist: Mahalia Jackson
Album:
Year:

We Shall Overcome is a song about hope and resilience in the face of adversity. It is about overcoming obstacles and continuing to fight for what is right, even when the odds seem insurmountable. The song is a rallying cry for justice and equality, and it has been used as an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement.

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10. One by Metallica

Artist: Metallica
Album: …And Justice for All
Year: 1988

The song is about a man who is struggling to deal with the loss of his loved one. He is angry and frustrated, and he feels like he is losing his mind. He is trying to find a way to cope with the pain, and he is looking for someone to help him.

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11. God Bless America by Kate Smith

Artist: Kate Smith
Album:
Year:

God Bless America is a patriotic song written by Irving Berlin in 1918. The song has been sung by many different artists over the years, but is most commonly associated with Kate Smith. The song is a prayer for God to bless America and keep it safe.

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IV. Rap Songs About Democracy

1. Changes by Tupac Shakur

Artist: Tupac Shakur
Album:
Year:

“Changes” is a song by American rapper Tupac Shakur, which was recorded in 1992 and released as a single in 1998. The song addresses the issue of racism in America, and Shakur’s hope for a future where people of all races can live together in peace.

2. Fight the Power by Public Enemy

Artist: Public Enemy
Album: It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
Year: 1988

Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” is a rallying cry against oppression and racism. The song urges listeners to stand up and fight against those who would keep them down, and it has become an anthem for social justice movements around the world.

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3. No Sleep till Brooklyn by Beastie Boys

Artist: Beastie Boys
Album: Licensed to Ill
Year: 1986

The song is about the band’s love for New York City and how they never want to leave. They rap about all the different boroughs and how each one has something special to offer. In the end, they declare that Brooklyn is the best place to be and they would never want to sleep until they’re there.

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4. The Message by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five

Artist: Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Album: The Message
Year: 1982

“The Message” is a song by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. The song is a warning to young people about the dangers of living in an inner city. The song is considered one of the first rap songs to deal with social issues.

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5. 99 Problems by Jay-Z, Linkin Park

Artist: Jay-Z, Linkin Park
Album: Collision Course
Year: 2004

The song is about a man who has many problems but still manages to succeed.

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6. A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke

Artist: Sam Cooke
Album: Ain’t That Good News
Year: 1964

The song is about how things are going to get better for the narrator. He has been through a lot of hard times, but he knows that things will eventually get better.

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7. We Shall Overcome by Mahalia Jackson

Artist: Mahalia Jackson
Album:
Year:

We Shall Overcome is a song about hope and resilience in the face of adversity. It is about overcoming obstacles and continuing to fight for what is right, even when the odds seem insurmountable. The song is a rallying cry for justice and equality, and it has been used as an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement.

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8. My President is Black by Jeezy

Artist: Jeezy
Album: The Recession (Exclusive Edition)
Year: 2008

The song is about how Jeezy is proud of Barack Obama, the first black president of the United States. He talks about how Obama is an inspiration to him and other black people, and how he has made America a better place.

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V. Rock Songs About Democracy

1. Imagine by John Lennon

Artist: John Lennon
Album:
Year: 1971

John Lennon’s “Imagine” is a song about peace and love. He imagines a world where there is no war or hate, and people are free to live their lives in peace and harmony.

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2. Power to the People by John Lennon

Artist: John Lennon
Album: Imagine
Year:

The song is about people taking control and demanding change. The lyrics talk about how the people have the power to make things happen and how they need to use that power to make positive change.

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3. Born in the U.S.A by Bruce Springsteen

Artist: Bruce Springsteen
Album: Live 1975–85
Year: 1986

This song is about the struggles of the American working class. The narrator is a Vietnam veteran who is struggling to find work and support his family. The song criticizes the government’s treatment of veterans and the working class.

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4. I’m Shipping Up to Boston by Dropkick Murphys

Artist: Dropkick Murphys
Album: The Warrior’s Code
Year: 2005

I’m Shipping Up to Boston is a song by Dropkick Murphys. The song is about a sailor who is leaving Boston to go to sea. The song is upbeat and has a lot of energy.

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5. Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Album: Willy and the Poor Boys
Year: 1969

The song is about rich kids who never have to work for anything and always get what they want. They never have to worry about money or the draft, unlike the poor kids who have to work hard and worry about being drafted into the Vietnam War.

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6. Call It Democracy by Bruce Cockburn

Artist: Bruce Cockburn
Album: World of Wonders
Year: 1986

The song “Call It Democracy” is a protest song by Bruce Cockburn against the neoliberal policies of the Canadian government. The song criticizes the government for privatizing public services, deregulating industries, and cutting social programs. The song also calls for more democracy and transparency in the government.

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7. The Unthinking Majority by Serj Tankian

Artist: Serj Tankian
Album: Elect the Dead
Year: 2007

The Unthinking Majority is a song by Serj Tankian about the dangers of following the crowd without question. He criticizes those who blindly follow leaders and don’t think for themselves, warning that they will end up leading the world to ruin.

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8. Democracy by Leonard Cohen

Artist: Leonard Cohen
Album: The Future
Year: 1992

The song is a cynical look at democracy, with Cohen questioning whether it is really a force for good. He sings that democracy is “coming to the USA” but notes that it has “never been here before”. He goes on to say that the people who believe in democracy are “fools” who will “soon be dead”.

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9. The Noise of Democracy by Blue Meanies

Artist: Blue Meanies
Album: Full Throttle
Year: 1997

The song is about the noise of democracy, and how it can be overwhelming at times. It is a call to action for people to get involved and make their voices heard.

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