Rock music was is rooted in rebellion and anti-establishment. It is rooted against the hive mind aspects that the world around us has created. It's raw. It embodies any emotion possible - and it's an incredible platform for advocacy and protest. Given the recent circumstances, this list was not created at the behest of those affected by the recent tragedies in America. Rather, this list was created as a form itself of protest against authority figures who still refuse to acknowledge the pain of those discriminated against based on sexuality, ethnicity, religion, gender, and the pain of those ignored by gun rights advocates.
These are some of the best songs out there about America:
1. Against Me! - Americans Abroad
Whatever there is to be said is said in English.
Against Me! sends a nod to the ignorance of some American tourists who actively refuse to understand "other" cultures as anything other than exotic or weird.
2. The Agonist - Business Suits and Combat Boots
The way of the future is corporate sponsors raising your kids.
Take a guess about this one's content.
3. Bring Me the Horizon - Antivist
There will be no peaceful revolution; no war without blood.
While BMTH may be from England, this counts as one about America because at Rock on the Range in Columbus, Ohio Oliver Sykes dedicated the performance of the song to Donald Trump while wearing a Bernie Sanders shirt.
4. Butcher Babies - Jesus Needs More Babies for his War Machine
I'm not your carrier for your American dream.
Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey said it better - but women aren't machines made to carry on patriarchal legacies. End of story.
5. Falling in Reverse - Wait and See
We keep our guns cocked, stocked up with more ammunition.
In which Ronnie Radke takes on nearly everything wrong with the world.
6. Green Day American Idiot
I'm not a part of a redneck agenda.
Green Day's politically loaded album, "American Idiot," was a major middle finger to George W. Bush, and a well-written one at that.
7. In This Moment - Natural Born Sinner
Tell me who to love; is it him, or her?
Frontwoman Maria Brink's mother is married to another woman. Brink is an outspoken activist for LGBT+ rights.
8. John Lennon - Working Class Hero
When they've tortured and scared you for 20 odd years, then they expect you to pick a career.
If you don't know what this song or what it's about, please educate yourself. (Fun fact: Green Day and Marilyn Manson have both covered this song.)
9. Marilyn Manson - We're from America
We're from America; it's where Jesus was born.
Leave it to Marilyn Manson to not use a filter. While the song itself is not his best work, it's still up there in terms of content and intent.
10. Motionless in White - A-M-E-R-I-C-A
Home of the free, the sick and depraved.
Of course, don't expect Motionless in White to pull any punches, either.
11. Otep - Confrontation
It's the rich man's war but it's the poor that die.
Otep lays out America's greed for violence against a call to action, favoring the call to action against bureaucratic greed.
