1. Entertainment

Discuss in my forum

Readers Respond: What's the Best Protest Song?

Responses: 43

By , About.com Guide

Protest songs are a big part of the history of American folk music - from anti-war songs to civil rights songs, labor songs, and songs about peace and justice. What are your favorite protest songs? Cast Your Vote

"Dear Mr. President" by Pink

'Dear Mr. President" is a great song ! The music video is even better
—Guest yeahman

way to go

i believe that all of these singers had a right to publish there opinion.
—Guest Ashley Murphy

Grey skies in September,Andrew John Ayre

This is a fantastic 9/11 tribute song only becoming known . The words alone are enough to warrant a Nobel prize . Wiki list of 9/11 tribute songs lists as #1
—Guest Skylar

DP Mark II: Child in Time

...Check it out - DP has never been known for protest songs, but on this one (the only one I think they ever did) ...they nailed it.
—Guest Patrick

Best protest -antiwarsong

I think You must include one of the very best - Eric Bogle with No mans Land, And the band played waltzing Matilda. The man got a Peacemedal from UN.
—Guest Jan Hulboj

Grand Funk

I think Grand Funk Railroads "I Can Feel Him In the Morning", is one of the best anti-war songs ever written or sung. I also like Eve of Destruction by Barry Mcguire.
—Guest Guest Heights

No Dylan?

Good list I guess, but I must object to the lack of Bob Dylan. "Masters of War" is one of the fiercest anti-war songs I've ever heard.
—Guest Nowhereman

Bill Withers - I Can't Write Left Handed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=fvwp&v=O4RyYtkifTM see if this doesn't bring tears to your eyes.
—Guest Rastaman

Where have all the flowers gone?

I've just set up a site with over 50 protest songs videos http://www.greatprotestsongs.com/ and after all the research and hearing protest songs, peace songs, anti war songs, Pete Seeger's Where have all the flowers gon? is that one that still moves me to tears. Thanks for the information - great site!
—RobEgan

you forgot

You forgot Bobby Dylan, his early songs are some of the best anthems of their kind. And "No Time for Love" by Jack Warshaw (aka If They Come in the Morning) has been called one of the best political songs ever written.
—Guest lantern

2 picks, both with "Sunday"

"Birmingham Sunday" by Joan Baez has to be one of the best. "And the choir kept singing of freedom." That title also made me think of "Bloody Sunday" by U2, a truly great marching song.
—smolk

Best Recent One

It's good to see there's still new protest songs too. Here's a great number... Ian Brown - "Illegal Attacks"
—Guest BrianBeddowes

Strangest Dream?

Last night I had the strangest dream, i'd ever dreamed before. I dreamed the world had all agreed to put an end to war.
—Guest julie

The not very fortunate Mr Fogerty

It is the ultimate anti-vietnam song "Fortunate Son" by the great Creedence Clearwater Revival
—Guest Kenny

Moratorium - Buffy Sainte-Marie

Buffy Sainte-Marie wrote several anti-war songs, including Moratorium, which includes some of her most angry anit-vietnam sentiment (sentiment which resulted in her being blacklisted by most radio stations). Moratorium speaks of a marine who come home from the war to find all the girls war prostesters "he looked at the sign that she carried in her hand, it said f*** the war and bring our brothers home" He end up wondering what he fought for.
—Guest John

Cast Your Vote

What's the Best Protest Song?

Receive a one-time notification when your response is published.

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.