What protest or pop song would you co-opt for the cause?

Posted by robgambrill 8 years, 7 months ago to Culture
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What protest or pop song would you co-opt for the cause?

There was a bit of a kerfluffel recently when Donald Trump played an REM song at a campaign rally. The members of REM vocally objected to the Donald using their song. I think the Trump campaign said they paid ASCAP royalties,so, so what?

Its funny, I don't remember seeing any disclaimer on the shrink wrap of their CD's saying that I had to conform to some "standard" of political belief when I bought them over the years.

I ripped the CD's and put them in a box so they wouldn't get scratched up, so if REM really wants them back...

I am pretty sure a lot of the artists I have listened to have liberal political beliefs. But then again, I have such a horrible track record of deciphering the actual lyrics to pop songs, that I am probably the last one to ask as to what those songs "actually" mean.

Last spring there was a discussion about using "Sunshine" by Jonathan Edwards as an objectivist theme song. I like that song and now have it on my phone. Some commentators suggested other songs, most of which I like as well.

So my question is this. If you could take any song, no matter of how die hard progressive the band or artist who recorded it might be, and liberate it for the cause, which song(s) would you choose?

BTW, Since March I thought of another Objectivist "theme" song. Money,(thats what I want) by Barret Strong.

"The best things in life are free,

But you can give them to the birds and bees,

I want money,

Thats what I want."

I am pretty sure that is NOT a leftist song, and I can totally understand the words to that one.


All Comments

  • Posted by $ winterwind 8 years, 7 months ago
    Unfortunately, I am always drawn to the immediately KYA goodbye protest song, as opposed to the "we might just win this thing" type of song.
    So, with that disclaimer, my absolute all-time favorite is a Heather Alexander trilogy:
    Tomorrow I leave for Battle:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtQdt...
    March of Cambreadth:
    I can't find my "best one" in my massive list, so I'll note the one that I know at least has lyrics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFi7b...
    Courage Knows No Bounds,
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YgNv...
    to which I've just added a song by Heather Dale"The Hero".
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH8fy...
    partly for the photos included. Yes, I'm aware that 4 songs does not make a trilogy. Take it up with Mr. Stirling.

    The alternative, of course, is a double feature from one of the 2 or 3 funniest men on the planet, Tom Lehrer:
    "We'll All Go Together When We Go"
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIoBr...
    , which he says is "a rousing uplifting song guaranteed to cheer you up". riiiiiiiight.
    with the frighteningly thoughtful [remember, he did go to Harvard etc.]
    "Who's Next'
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdtAF...

    If, as often happens, I've bungled the addresses, I guarantee they ARE all easily findable on YouTube.
    enjoy. or endure, at least.
    ww
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  • Posted by SaltyDog 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    They surely are! We went to see CSN about a year ago, and he still has them, to a smaller degree. Not much on top, though...
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