Best Ever Protest Songs

offhegoes09

War Pigs--Sabbath.
Best protest song imo

Milhouse VanHouten

I'd consider "Entertain" by Sleater-Kinney to be a protest song, and it sure as hell rocks the pants off all those who are wearing pants as they listen to it:

entertain

so you want to be en-entertained?
please look away (don’t look away)
we’re not here ’cause we want to entertain
go away (don’t go away)
reality is the new fiction they say
truth is truer these days, truth is man-made
if you’re here ’cause you want to be entertained
go away, please go away

if your art is done, johnny get your gun
join the rank and file, on your TV dial

you come around looking 1984
you’re such a bore, 1984
nostalgia, well you’re using it like a whore
it’s better than before, ah it’s better than before
you come around sounding 1972
you did nothing new, 1972
where’s the “Fuck You”?
where’s the black and blue? (3x)

if your art is done, johnny get your gun
join the rank and file, on your TV dial

hey! look around they are lying to you
they are lyin’, ha! they are lyin’ and
can’t you see it is just a silly ruse?
they are lying, and I am lying too
and all you want is entertainment,
rip me open it’s so free, yeah

if your art is done, johnny get your gun
join the rank and file, on your TV dial

don’t drag me down, I’m not fallin’ down (2x)

1,2,3!
if you want to take a shot at me
well, get in line, line
1,2,3!
baby, I’ve had all my shots
and I’m fine

1,2,3!
if you haven’t had enough of me
well get in line, line
1,2,3!
yeah, you deserve it now
it’s all right

1,2,3!
we can drown in mediocrity
it feels sublime, sublime
1,2,3!
yeah it sounds like someone
pushed the rewind
(Dont drag me down, I’m not falling down (2x))

1,2,3!
now, give it to me easily
my feeble mind needs time
1,2,3!
yeah, you make it sweet
and syrupy with rhyme
(Dont drag me down, I’m not falling down (2x))

Dont drag me down, I’m not falling down (2x)

if your art is done, johnny get your gun
join the rank and file, on your TV dial

the grip of fear
is already here
the lines are drawn
whose side are you on?

pearlzepfan

AstroFan wrote:

"Tin soldiers and Nixon coming
We're finally on our won.
This summer I haear the drumming,
Four dead in Ohio. "

I don't think 'Bushleaguer' is anywhere near as good as 'Ohio', but that's an example of a great song standing the test of time despite blatantly referencing a political figure.

Also, the Buffalo Springfield song is called "For Whats It's Worth".

Ok, you're right there, I didn't even consider that song, but like you said, Bushleaguer is no where near as good as Ohio. And unlike Ohio, Bushleaguer is not about any real specific topic, Eddie is just bashing the man for who he is, which is fine of course.

Thumbing My Way

Ben Harper - Black Rain

RATM - Know Your Enemy