A Look at Protest Songs

The Beauty and Power of Outcry through Music

The plan for this week’s blog involved a high-level discussion of a recession—an economic recession. While experts indicate the COVID-19 pandemic will lead to a serious economic downturn, it’s a different type of recession I’m looking at: a ‘moral’ recession (or is it a regression?). And so, recent events have me turning more ‘serif.’ I’m looking at something else: the creative outlet of the protest song. The songwriter comes into play here. Writing poetry for music, songwriters speak volumes—often, in under 25 lines.

From resistance to taxes on tea/whiskey, to standing up for even the most basic of civil rights, to … well, sadly, protesting the unjust practices surrounding the awful recurrence of unarmed minorities dying at the hands of police officers, protests ignite. Outraged, citizens take to the streets in throngs, peacefully (for the most part) confronting the powers that be, demanding change. Pickets and signs and chants convey the message, but even more long-lasting: the music and lyrics of a protest song—the songwriters version of his or her outrage, too.

A Stroll Down ‘Protest Song’ Lane …

Some protest songs happen by accident; ‘protest’ wasn’t necessarily the intent upon initial release. Whether on purpose or by accident, here’s a look at a few protest songs enduring for me over the years (for which I’ve either, rewound, selected ‘repeat,’ or lifted the needle … to start the track again):

1. “Strange Fruit” – Billie Holiday (1939). Songwriter: Abel Meeropol.
   • Listening to this as a child, I, of course, had no idea what ‘strange fruit’ meant (a lesson too heavy for my mother to teach back then). But I know what the writer refers to now. No need to elaborate.
2. “Mississippi Goddam!” – Nina Simone (1964). Songwriter: Nina Simone.
   • Talk about ‘angry.’ Nina tears into the lyrics she’d written with a power blasting through the speakers—even on low volume. She received much flak for this song, but she would not be moved. As a kid, I liked the song because I could ‘curse’ with ‘approval.’ But as an adult … ‘Mississippi’: goddam.
3. “Tradewinds” – as performed by Lou Rawls (1977). Songwriters: Ralph MacDonald and William Salter.
   • My parents have passed on, but I fondly remember sitting in the dining room with this song playing from the 8-track player (yeah, I know), receiving the lessons my mother couldn’t teach years before regarding “Strange Fruit.” The writers address a variety of societal ills with wistful observation. I like the melody as well, and the lyrics still speak to me when I’m feeling introspective (which is often).
4. “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” – Gil Scott-Heron (1971). Songwriter: Gil Scott-Heron.
   • Whew! My older sisters had me on this one (both were in various stages of ‘Angela Davis’ mode then—and sorta now, too). This song is so full of purpose, a riled purpose … I had my ‘bush balls,’ but was too young to ‘take to the streets.’ Today, the revolution is in the streets—televised world-wide.
5. “Heaven Help Us All” – as performed by Ray Charles (1972). Songwriter: Ron Miller.
   • More ‘message’ than protest, this song still evokes the desire to do something to change the truth of the lyrics. There’s commentary on racism and income disparity, and Ray’s recording, his take, speaks to you internally even if you don’t want it to (as only Mr. Charles could do). By song’s end, I’m usually singing along stronger than necessary (or maybe as necessary).
6. “Fight the Power” – Public Enemy (1989). Songwriters: Chuck D, Eric Sadler, and Keith Shocklee.
   • Although the Isley Brothers fought the power in two parts back in 1975, Public Enemy broke it down in a whole new way. An adult, but still a bit naïve about things when this song was released, I can say this one began my ‘awakening.’ I never looked at John Wayne and Elvis Presley the same way again.
7. “A Change Is Gonna Come” – Sam Cooke (1964). Songwriters: Sam Cooke and Audrey Motaung.
   • Readers following my fiction series know how Mr. Cooke ‘represents’ within the books. I could do a blog on the talent and artistry of Sam (and perhaps I might), but this song is one he’s best known for; it’s iconic. As soon as Sam’s unmistakable singing begins explaining he was born by the river, I experience this twinge mixing sorrow, pity, anger, and … courage. As with “Tradewinds,” this song takes part during my introspective moments.

I could also expound on protest songs by Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, the O’Jays, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, and many others.

The Music in SFPB

Music is a key element in my novels, with characters finding themselves pondering action or inaction in line with a cited song. Book two, Obscure Boundaries, lends some importance to message song, “Respect Yourself” by the Staple Singers. Book three, Broken Benevolence, mentions Nina Simone’s “Mississippi Goddam!” in chapter one, as Cecily (she loves her Nina) needs something to counter the events occurring. In a previous blog (“Music Tales III: Message Songs”), I discussed message songs and their application on various fronts, from societal to charitable to spiritual.

What it All Means, Really

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been a dark and heavy couple months. This last week or so, that dark-and-heavy has gotten darker, heavier in an entirely different arena. But hope and faith stir the spirit—most often for the better. In this time of what appears a moral recession (regression?), holding on to hope and faith is vital. Not necessarily in a religious sense, but a human one. Because sometimes, hope and faith, are all that’s left. Hope, that this time, change will be tangible, visible, and faith in humanity’s ability to bring it about.

Music is a common language. Using that language, songwriters pen protest and message songs with lyrics spotlighting mistakes we’re making (against each other). Through this creative outlet, songwriters calibrate our moral compass, keeping us aware, and the compass pointing in a positive direction. All lives matter—even the lives of those creating the need to demonstrate, illustrate, and reinforce that point.

With this look at protest songs written 30, 50, 90 years ago, it’s disconcerting recognizing how much they’re still needed. On second thought, this isn’t a ‘moral’ recession or a regression. Except for lynching, unfortunately, the circumstances in many of those lyrics, appear … status quo. Quieter and less obvious, maybe, but quieter isn’t better.

And thus, armed with hope and faith that this time, radical change will result, but angry and so tired (again), the people took to the streets …

And a songwriter picked up his/her pen.

What protest songs get you riled up?

Until next time, stay serif (I’ll hold down ‘sans serif’). And, as always, read on.