John's Favorite Protest Songs

[walktall2010]

From the new issue of Rolling Stone. Click the link at the bottom of the page to listen to these songs.

John Mellencamp: Protest Songs



"Political songs are songs by the people," says Mellencamp. "I think it was Jefferson who said that if the people do not seriously question the government every 20 years, then democracy is no longer working. That's why protest songs exist."

1."Vigilante Man" | Woody Guthrie, 1940
He was writing about the corruptness of people who were supposed to be peacekeepers, dominating the migrant workers and beating them into submission. The strong preying on the weak. Sound familiar?

2."Strange Fruit" | Billie Holiday, 1939
The label wouldn't even put it out – they felt a song about lynching was so inflammatory. She may have expressed it poetically, but the message was loud and clear.

3."The Times They Are A-Changin'" | Bob Dylan, 1964
Bob always said he wasn't a protest singer, but of course he was. This is the obvious one, but he's got hundreds: "Hattie Carroll" and "Masters of War," on and on. He took what Woody Guthrie did and brought it to another level.

4."Give Peace a Chance" | John Lennon, 1969
With Lennon, the message was always so direct. It takes a lot of talent and a lot of courage to do that.

5."Front Line" | Stevie Wonder, 1982
This is an amazing song about the Vietnam War, and it was played to death.

6."What's Going On" | Marvin Gaye, 1971
Another Vietnam song. It's astonishing, almost unbelievable, that white America actually heard these two.

7."Compared To What" | Les McCann and Eddie Harris, 1969
That's a motherfucker. The first time I heard it, 100 years ago, I thought, "How great, being able to speak to a culture about race and equality."

8."Ohio" | Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, 1970
Neil wrote this right after the Kent State shootings, and in weeks he had it on the radio. Sometimes you just need to report the news, and that's protest enough.

9."Folsom Prison Blues" | Johnny Cash, 1955
A protest song of incarceration and lack of rehabilitation in the prison system at the time – which is even worse today.

10. "Get Up, Stand Up" | The Wailers, 1973
With Bob Marley, it wasn't only protest songs, but pop records that spoke to millions.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/playlists/john-mellencamp

[Mellenfan71]

Great Choices. Bob Marley is my fav!

[mellenq]

Some of MY favourite protest songs too.   

[Mellenfan71]

."The Times They Are A-Changin'" | Bob Dylan, 1964
Bob always said he wasn't a protest singer, but of course he was. This is the obvious one, but he's got hundreds: "Hattie Carroll" and "Masters of War," on and on. He took what Woody Guthrie did and brought it to another level.

I think this piece might be the ultimate protest song though.

[marilynb]

Here is one that came from me and John's time.  This was a big one back in our day.  Remember this one John?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDu6HYWdxkQ

keep the faith / peace & love

[Mellenfan71]

Here is one that came from me and John's time.  This was a big one back in our day.  Remember this one John?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDu6HYWdxkQ

keep the faith / peace & love

Good one!

[marilynb]

Here is one that came from me and John's time.  This was a big one back in our day.  Remember this one John?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDu6HYWdxkQ

keep the faith / peace & love

Good one!

Yes it is.  In fact Tom Laughlin is still at it even today.  He is in his 70's now but you can check him out at http://www.billyjack.com

Old Dirty Harry, Chuck Norris, The Terminatior etc etc etc ain't no match for Billy Jack.  That is why I say we need a Billy Jack Revival in this country

keep the faith / peace & love

[Mellenfan71]

Here is one that came from me and John's time.  This was a big one back in our day.  Remember this one John?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDu6HYWdxkQ

keep the faith / peace & love

Good one!

Yes it is.  In fact Tom Laughlin is still at it even today.  He is in his 70's now but you can check him out at http://www.billyjack.com

Old Dirty Harry, Chuck Norris, The Terminatior etc etc etc ain't no match for Billy Jack.  That is why I say we need a Billy Jack Revival in this country

keep the faith / peace & love

Since we are in a time of movie remakes galore. Very surprised Billy J has not been remade yet.

[marilynb]

Here is one that came from me and John's time.  This was a big one back in our day.  Remember this one John?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDu6HYWdxkQ

keep the faith / peace & love

Good one!

Yes it is.  In fact Tom Laughlin is still at it even today.  He is in his 70's now but you can check him out at http://www.billyjack.com

Old Dirty Harry, Chuck Norris, The Terminatior etc etc etc ain't no match for Billy Jack.  That is why I say we need a Billy Jack Revival in this country

keep the faith / peace & love

Since we are in a time of movie remakes galore. Very surprised Billy J has not been remade yet.

Here is one that came from me and John's time.  This was a big one back in our day.  Remember this one John?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDu6HYWdxkQ

keep the faith / peace & love

Good one!

Yes it is.  In fact Tom Laughlin is still at it even today.  He is in his 70's now but you can check him out at http://www.billyjack.com

Old Dirty Harry, Chuck Norris, The Terminatior etc etc etc ain't no match for Billy Jack.  That is why I say we need a Billy Jack Revival in this country

keep the faith / peace & love

Since we are in a time of movie remakes galore. Very surprised Billy J has not been remade yet.
[/quoteThere is going to be another 2nd pitch to the Billy Jack Sequel.  To find out more  go to the website and Tom Laughlin himself talks about it.  It would be truly amazing if there was one.  This movie when it came out was so controversial for its time, but again it is time and it was time a long time ago

keep the faith / peace & love

[Rhonda2]

Must admin I don't know all of these songs he mentioned, so that's a good reason to have a listen to them 

[marilynb]

here is another good ole protest song from my day, true back then and still holds the truth today. john i bet you will remember this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDkcbipclDQ

our generation got the attention of the government and we had the government scared into reality where changes that needed to take place took place and now what i see is this time in history this generation isnt going to remain passive. perhaps they are following our footsteps. it first started with 92 yr old pete seeger peace march awhile back regarding wall street. he sets a great example for those to follow and there are those who are picking up the mantle and carrying it on. some peacefully and some not.

i thank God for the musicians from my day (youre one of em john, your my generation) as long as we keep carrying the message and not roll over and play dead, the changes will come

keep the faith / peace & love

[sheilafarmer]

That's a great song.

[Mellenfan71]

Must admin I don't know all of these songs he mentioned, so that's a good reason to have a listen to them 

"War" BY  Edwin Starr is also a great one..

[marilynb]

heres a trip down memory lane. another one from the times in our lives hey john?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=530Hqoamf3Q

yes me and my prayer partners are still praying for you

keep the faith / peace & love

[jakesmom204]

One of my all time favorite songs.  Just made our pilgrimage to Woodstock this past summer.