Modern Protest Songs for the Activist in All of Us | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Modern Protest Songs for the Activist in All of Us

When you just need to be inspired.

Rian Slate
Sep 05, 2016
Virginia Commonwealth University
481
Modern Protest Songs for the Activist in All of Us

A few days ago, The Black Eyed Peas released a new remix of their song “Where Is The Love?”, including some new lyrics and a music video full of celebrity voices and iconic images of the violence and chaos that’s happening both in America and other areas of the world. The video includes imagery and lyrics about the Black Lives Matter movement, the bombings in Syria, the oppression of women and LGBTQ+ in many areas of the Middle East, and many other topical subjects. While this song isn’t the first of its kind, it does remind us that protest songs can come in many forms, including the kind that talk of spreading love and overcoming the hatred in the world. Below I’ve compiled a list of protest songs with positive messages that may lift your spirits when you feel like the world is a dark place getting darker.


1. Where Is The Love? Remix- The Black Eyed Peas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsRMoWYGLNA


This song is only available for a very short time to buy on iTunes and Apple Music.


2. She Keeps Me Warm- Mary Lambert

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhqH-r7Xj0E

She may not have known it, but Mary Lambert was making a statement when she wrote this song, and it resonated in the hearts of the LGBT+ community for years.


3. Same Love- Macklemore

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlVBg7_08n0

Though this song features Mary Lambert and some of the lyrics from her own song, Macklemore used his individual fame to bring awareness to the homophobia that LGBT+ people face in everyday life.


4. Take Me To Church- Hozier

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYSVMgRr6pw

While it's mostly the music video that promotes activism and anti-homophobia, the lyrics support the video and make it a protest song for all who hear it.


5. Mosh- Eminem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj_dTZ4KL3Y

I mean, who doesn't love Eminem? He's political, he's not afraid of offending people, and he's always speaking his mind.


6. Chains- Usher

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slN1CEUhA-E

Usher is an artist who's not afraid to call out the USA on their B.S. and this song definitely shows that.


7. Formation- Beyonce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfMlFxrMb18

Seriously, need I say more? It's Beyonce. You better get in formation.


8. One Day- Matisyahu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRmBChQjZPs

Just like "Where Is The Love?", this song promotes world peace and encourages people to be accepting of people who are not like them.


These are just some of the fantastic protest songs that relate to current world issues, and you can find protest songs of any genre of music these days. The list of protest songs to lift your spirits or inspire you to act out goes on and on, and is only minimally represented here. Go out and let these songs and their messages lead your lives towards justice for all.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

AI music threatens creativity

The Soul of Sound: How AI Challenges Human Expression in Music

419908
Humans and robots face off in a rock band battle with guitars and drums, under dynamic lighting.
StableDiffusion

In an age where artificial intelligence can mimic the voice of Freddie Mercury or reimagine pop hits as synthwave ballads, a new frontier has emerged — one that blurs the line between innovation and erosion. While AI offers undeniable benefits in technical domains, its intrusion into creative arts, especially music, raises urgent questions. Not just about copyright, but about culture, education, and the very soul of artistic expression.


Keep Reading...Show less
ai generated music
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

Miami University
760388
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
music
Entertainment

Why Your Astrological Sign May Not Match Your Personality

We are all more than just one sign.

SUNY Plattsburgh
676979
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
astrology
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

UNC Greensboro
664336
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
spring
Relationships

The Importance Of Being A Good Person

An open letter to the good-hearted people.

Sacred Heart University
966334
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
good person

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments