54 Songs About Resistance (Pop, Rap & More)
Contents
I. Country Songs About Resistance
1. The Times They Are A-Changin’ by Bob Dylan
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.
2. We Shall Overcome by Pete Seeger
The song “We Shall Overcome” is a civil rights anthem that has been sung by protesters and activists for generations. The lyrics are simple and straightforward, but the message is powerful: no matter what obstacles we face, we will eventually overcome them. Seeger’s version of the song is based on an earlier folk tune, but he added his own verses to make it more relevant to the civil rights movement. Over the years, the song has been adopted by many different groups fighting for social change, and it continues to inspire people to stand up and fight for what they believe in.
3. Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival
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.
4. Stronger by Kelly Clarkson
The song is about a break-up and how the person who is now single is better off without their ex. The song talks about how the person is now free and how they don’t need their ex to be happy.
5. Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon, Yoko Ono
The song is about the end of the Vietnam War, with the lyrics “Happy Xmas, Vietnam / Happy Xmas, Laos / Happy Xmas, Cambodia / Happy Xmas, everyone.”
II. Rock Songs About Resistance
1. We Will Rock You by Queen
The song is about a group of people who are about to overthrow a tyrannical government. They are armed with rocks and ready to fight. The song is an anthem for anyone who has ever felt oppressed or outnumbered. It is a call to arms, and a rallying cry for anyone who wants to fight back against injustice.
2. I Won’t Back Down by Tom Petty
The song is about not giving up and continuing to fight even when the odds seem insurmountable.
3. The Times They Are A-Changin’ by Bob Dylan
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.
4. For What It’s Worth by Buffalo Springfield
The song is about the Vietnam War and the protests against it. It is also about the Generation Gap between the older and younger generations.
5. Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival
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.
6. Power to the People by John Lennon
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.
7. Imagine by John Lennon
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.
8. Born in the U.S.A by Bruce Springsteen
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.
9. American Idiot by Green Day
The song is about the frustrations of living in a society that is controlled by the media and government. The song is a call to action for people to stand up and fight back against the establishment.
10. We Will Rise by Michael Franti & Spearhead
The song is about overcoming adversity and rising up against oppression. It is an upbeat song with a positive message.
III. Pop Songs About Resistance
1. Born This Way by Lady Gaga
The song is about being proud of who you are, no matter what anyone else says. It’s about being comfortable in your own skin and not caring what others think.
2. Fight Song by Rachel Platten
The song is about continuing to fight even when the odds seem insurmountable. It is about never giving up and being determined to succeed.
3. Fight The Power (1989) by Public Enemy
Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” is an iconic song of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The song is an anthem for the African American community, and a call to action against racism and oppression. The song was famously used in the Spike Lee film Do the Right Thing, and has been covered by many artists over the years.
4. Idioteque (2000) by Radiohead
The song is about the dangers of technology and how it can be used to control people. It is also about the fear of the future and how technology can be used to destroy the world.
5. Defying Gravity by Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel
The song is about fighting against the odds and never giving up. It is about continuing to strive for your goals even when it seems impossible. The song is also about the power of friendship and how it can help you through tough times.
6. American Idiot (2004) by Green Day
The song is about the struggles of living in America as an idiot. It talks about how people are controlled by the media and how they are constantly bombarded with messages telling them what to do.
7. Ghost Town (1981) by The Specials
The song is about a town that has been abandoned by its residents. The only people left are the ghosts of the town’s former residents.
8. Sunday Bloody Sunday (1983) by U2
The song is about the Bloody Sunday incident in Northern Ireland, where British soldiers shot and killed 26 unarmed civilians. The song is a call for peace and reconciliation.
9. F*ck You by Lily Allen
The song is a profanity-laden tirade directed at a former lover. In the song, Allen vents her frustration with the unnamed man, and expresses her anger and betrayal.
10. Killing In The Name (1992) by Rage Against The Machine
The song is about the killing of unarmed black people by police officers. The song is critical of the police and government for not doing enough to stop the killings.
11. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (1971) by Gil Scott-Heron
The song is a criticism of the mainstream media, and a call for revolution. It argues that the media is more interested in ratings and profits than in reporting the truth. It also calls for people to take action themselves, rather than waiting for the government or the media to do something.
IV. Rap Songs About Resistance
1. Fight The Power by Public Enemy
The song is about fighting against discrimination and racism.
2. No Vaseline by Ice Cube
The song is a diss track aimed at N.W.A, and specifically at Dr. Dre and Eazy-E. It accuses them of selling out by signing with a major label, and claims that they would not have been successful without Ice Cube’s contributions.
3. Alright by Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar’s song “Alright” is a positive and uplifting anthem about overcoming adversity. Despite the struggles and challenges faced by the singer and those around him, he remains hopeful and confident that things will eventually get better. The song has a catchy hook and a strong message of hope and resilience, which has resonated with many fans.
4. Fuck Tha Police by N.W.A.
The song is about police brutality and racism. The lyrics describe how the police treat minorities with disrespect and violence. The song also criticizes the government for not doing anything to stop police brutality.
5. This Is America by Donald Glover
This Is America by Donald Glover is a song about the state of America and its current problems. Glover addresses the issue of gun violence, police brutality, and racism in the song. He also touches on the topics of mental health and the economy. Glover provides a unique perspective on these issues, and his lyrics are both powerful and thought-provoking.
6. Bullet in the Head by Rage Against the Machine
The song is about the dangers of blind obedience and the need for people to think for themselves. It is critical of those who blindly follow authority figures without question and highlights the need for people to think for themselves and question authority.
7. Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine
The song is about the violence caused by the US government, and how the government is responsible for the deaths of innocent people. The song is critical of the government’s policies, and how they are responsible for the death and destruction that they cause.
8. The Message by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
“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.
9. Black Rage by Lauryn Hill
“Black Rage” is a song by Lauryn Hill. It is a ballad about the oppression and struggles of black people in America. The song was written in response to the death of Trayvon Martin.
10. Freedom by Rage Against the Machine
The song is about the struggle for freedom and the never-ending fight against oppression. It is a call to action for people to stand up and fight for their rights, and to never give up.
11. We the People…. by A Tribe Called Quest
The song is about how the American government is not meeting the needs of its people, especially those who are poor and marginalized. The song criticizes the government for its policies that favor the rich and powerful, and calls for change.
12. F*ck the Police by N.W.A.
The song is a protest against police brutality and racism. It describes the police as corrupt and abusive, and calls for resistance against their oppression.
13. Freedom by Beyoncé
“Freedom” is a song by Beyoncé featuring Kendrick Lamar. It was released on April 23, 2016, as a single from the soundtrack album The Lion King: The Gift. The song peaked at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The song is about liberation and empowerment, with Beyoncé singing about how she will never give up or let anyone stop her from achieving her goals. Kendrick Lamar’s verse speaks about how he will never give up or let anyone stop him from achieving his dreams, and how he will never let anyone take away his freedom.
14. Testify by Rage Against the Machine
The song is about the need for people to speak up and testify against injustice, especially in the face of oppression. The lyrics encourage people to stand up and be counted, to fight back against those who would silence them. The song is an anthem for those who have been oppressed and is a call to action for everyone to join the fight against injustice.
15. Take the Power Back by Rage Against the Machine
The song is about taking back power from the government and other institutions that abuse it. The lyrics talk about how the people have been oppressed for too long and it’s time to fight back. The song is full of energy and defiance, and it’s sure to get anyone who hears it pumped up and ready to take on the world.
V. R&B Songs About Resistance
1. Fight The Power by Public Enemy
The song is about fighting against discrimination and racism.
2. This Is America by Donald Glover
This Is America by Donald Glover is a song about the state of America and its current problems. Glover addresses the issue of gun violence, police brutality, and racism in the song. He also touches on the topics of mental health and the economy. Glover provides a unique perspective on these issues, and his lyrics are both powerful and thought-provoking.
3. Stand By Me by Ben E. King
The song is about a man who is telling his woman that she can always rely on him, no matter what happens. He will always be there for her.
4. A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke
“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.
5. I’m Every Woman by Whitney Houston
“I’m Every Woman” is a song written by Chaka Khan and produced by Arif Mardin for Khan’s eponymous debut album. The song was released as the album’s lead single in 1978. It is one of Khan’s most popular and best-known songs.
6. Living for the City by Stevie Wonder
The song is about a young black man from the south who moves to the city in search of a better life. He soon discovers that the city is not what he expected it to be. He struggles to find a job and ends up getting involved in crime. The song is a commentary on the social and economic conditions of inner-city life.
7. Mississippi Goddam by Nina Simone
The song is about the racism and discrimination that African Americans face in the United States. Simone criticizes the government and society for not doing enough to protect black people from violence and injustice.
8. Rise Up by Andra Day
The song is about overcoming adversity and rising up against oppression. It talks about how we all have the power to change the world and make a difference.
9. Alright by Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar’s song “Alright” is a positive and uplifting anthem about overcoming adversity. Despite the struggles and challenges faced by the singer and those around him, he remains hopeful and confident that things will eventually get better. The song has a catchy hook and a strong message of hope and resilience, which has resonated with many fans.
10. We Are The World by U.S.A. for Africa
“We Are the World” is a song and charity single originally recorded by American supergroup United Support of Artists (USA) for Africa in 1985. It was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, produced by Quincy Jones, and released worldwide on March 7, 1985, as a single to aid the African famine relief effort. The song features an ensemble of artists including Jackson, Richie, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross, Steve Wonder, and many more.
11. We the People…. by A Tribe Called Quest
The song is about how the American government is not meeting the needs of its people, especially those who are poor and marginalized. The song criticizes the government for its policies that favor the rich and powerful, and calls for change.
12. Freedom by Beyoncé
“Freedom” is a song by Beyoncé featuring Kendrick Lamar. It was released on April 23, 2016, as a single from the soundtrack album The Lion King: The Gift. The song peaked at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The song is about liberation and empowerment, with Beyoncé singing about how she will never give up or let anyone stop her from achieving her goals. Kendrick Lamar’s verse speaks about how he will never give up or let anyone stop him from achieving his dreams, and how he will never let anyone take away his freedom.
13. Get Up Stand Up by Bob Marley and the Wailers
The song is about rising up against oppression and standing up for what is right. It is a call to action for people to unite and fight for their freedom. The song is empowering and inspirational, and it has become an anthem for many social and political movements.
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