The political climate of late has been inflammatory enough to make even the most even-tempered person tremble with rage and a desire to slake their thirst for justice. Sometimes, the travesty that is the American political scene at this time can make it seem like maybe it’s a better idea to scrap the whole government altogether and start again. “But,” you may protest, “How can I overthrow the government without the proper playlist?” Never fear, I’ve gathered the optimum soundtrack for rebellion, ranked in order of mildly desirous of change to “I am currently standing amongst a crowd wielding torches and pitchforks.”
8.Story of Tonight-Hamilton
This song is from a musical which has recently skyrocketed to the spotlight, Hamilton. It is sung in a tavern on the cusp of the American Revolution, and speaks of a solemn hope for change. Its melancholy tones and hopeful lyricism make it the perfect tune with which to long for brighter days. The lines “When our children tell our story, they’ll tell the story of tonight” sum up the message of this song, speaking to a longing for change and a desire to be remembered, but there’s no anger in these words. Rebellion will come, hopefully, but right now we’re just having some drinks.
7.Red and Black-Les Miserables
Another song from a musical featuring revolution, this song espouses rebellionary inspiration with a French twist. Red and Black, like Story of Tonight, also takes place in a tavern. Apparently the best way to plan an uprising is while slightly tipsy. This is the perfect song to plan your revolution to, in the early stages. It speaks of the anger in the country, and calls listeners to action in color-coded terms. “Black, the night that ends at last,”
6.Blood in the Sand-Thrice
This is a song about realization, discovering how corrupt the government really is. It’s vaguely reminiscent of a rant one would be likely to go on after watching the news for more than fifteen minutes. “There’s a gun in my hand, or there might as well be,” cries the speaker, professing pure ire at what the world has become.
5.Sons of Liberty-Frank Turner
How dare the NSA read our text messages or Odyssey articles?! Our forefathers fought for our rights, but as this song states, we’ve sadly relinquished them over the years in favor of safety. Agents of the government are everywhere, and they have their noses in everything.This song will speak to your own indignation at the current state of affairs, with a righteous anger that feels so very justified and cathartic.
4.Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)-Hamilton
Are you currently preparing to storm the streets or invade your local seat of government? Then this is the song for you! Yorktown will light a fire in your soul and fill you with such reckless confidence that you can’t help but succeed!
3.Broken Lungs-Thrice
Feeling a little low on righteous anger? Broken Lungs expresses grief, pain, and a furious desire for things to be made right all through the lens of 9/11. As the song states, “Are we fools and cowards all, to let them cover up their lies?” How can we tolerate this corruption, this depravity, within an institution which is supposed to work for us? This song reminds us what we’re fighting for, and who the real enemy is.
2.Killing in the Name Of-Rage Against the Machine
If any song were going to be playing in the background while a monument is torn down, this would be it. Even the guitars and drums sound angry. And the lyrics, while repetitive, are a repetition of true defiance. We will not do what they tell us anymore. This is the last straw.
1.Love, Ire, and Song-Frank TurnerThe lyrics of this song speak for themselves. It is a call to action, a call to feel again, one last time, the righteous anger and thirst for freedom we abandoned in our youth. "So come on, let's be young, let's be crass enough to care
Let's refuse to live and learn, let's make all our mistakes again, yes
And then darling, just for one day, yeah, we can fight and we can win
And if only for a little while, we could insist on the impossible..."
