CLOQUET - ROMANTICISM TO REVOLUTION - STUDENT SELECTIONS OF PROTEST MUSIC - SPRING - 2000

Affirmation - by Savage Garden deals with some important issues being faced in the world right now, and some of them are ones we’ve had lengthy discussions about in class and on the board. The following is a URL for the Savage Garden web page, which tells a little more about the CD and why they wrote this particular song, and some of their other songs. Go to http://www.savagegarden.com/teasermain.html and then click on the “about” button.
- Rachel Byrne

Banned in the U.S.A. by 2 Live Crew always interested me in the ways that they defied the censors in the late eighties. One example is that they made two different copies of their album "As Nasty As They Wanna Be" and marketed them together, one as a "clean" version (it wasn't, they were the same album). These actions eventually got them banned in the USA for explicit lyrics in their songs, which ranged from "Me So Horny" in '89 to "Be My Private Dancer" in '96. They still continue to play for some and offend all, going strong for over ten years. When they were banned in the USA, they took their explicit content overseas, where they were met with the same difficulties in the US. This forced them to write their song "Banned in the USA" which eventually led to a court date to argue first amendment rights. They won and their ban to play in the US was lifted, letting them to sell records on the US shores once again.
- Rich Schimenek

Changes by 2Pac discusses the changes that he wants made between blacks and whites. He wants us to live as brother, not as enemies. We need to live and work together. He also feels that it is time for the hatred to end.
For What It's Worth by Buffalo Springfield discusses how we need to stop the war. To do so we need to speak out in. He feels that we need to look and listen to what is happening and do something about it. It demonstrates the frustration that people had during the war.
- Josh Malenius, Ross Olness and Chris Pappas
For What it's Worth is an anti-war protest song. Buffalo Springfield says that you need to stop and look around what is happening. He talks about the battle lines that are being drawn and how can anyone be right, if everyone thinks that everyone else is wrong? We need to step back and realize the pain of war and fighting. We need to love.
- Trisha Grover

Civil War by Guns and Roses speaks for itself. They do not try to hide the truths about war and what it does to everyone involved. I have listened to this song since I was in sixth grade and it was the first thing that popped into my head when we began discussing protest lyrics. This song has an important message, something we all need to hear.
- Erica Hofstad

Darkness (of Greed) by Rage Against the Machine is a good protest song because it brings to light the persecution of the American government, and of the old explorers towards other cultures. Not only do they show what America has not done about the AIDs epidemic in Africa, but Zack de la Rocha also sings about his own cultures persecution and destruction by ancient Spanish explorers. He shows that the government is motivated by money, and money alone.
- Drew Raun

God Bless the USA - by Lee Greenwood has all the attributes of a great protest song. Many times in our lives we forget how truly fortunate we are to have been born in such a wonderful country. We are the freest society in the entire world and we often take that freedom for granted. This song helps to remind us how good our lives really are. Also, this song praises the men and women who lost their lives fighting to help preserve our freedom. At the time of Vietnam the military was looked down upon and many people forgot about all the sacrifices that our previous generations made for us. This song asks us to take time and be thankful for all that this wonderful country provides for us
- Tim Battaglia, Dan Brandt and Angela Hudspith

Independence Day by Martina McBride is an important song because domestic violence is such an issue all over the world, and so few people are willing to stand up and say something about it. I think this song really makes a stand against domestic violence, and if you check out the music video, it also does an awesome job of making a stand against domestic violence. The song is just so moving and brings about such passionate feelings. I love it!!! I don't really know what else to say other than listen to the song, and its message of freedom!!!!
- Kelly Hendrickson

Just a Girl by No Doubts demonstrates that throughout our American history the female gender has always fought to be treated equal and even though things are better they still are not the best. The lyrics talk about how the world almost forces women to be what they are. She starts out with "Take this pink ribbon off my eyes," Saying that even in our world today girls are still stereotyped
- Jess Sundeen

Kids Are United by Atari Teenage Riot is a catchy, punk tune about kids being united. Generally its about unity among youth, which should be obvious from the title. The lyrics are simple, as always, but the song does make you want to go start a riot. “RIOT SOUND EFFECTS CAN PRODUCE RIOTS” they say, and it holds true with this song. I think there are two major points Mr. Empire is trying to make with this song. The major one: Music and sounds themselves can be used as weapons for social change. Next: Kids need to stick together and unite against the problems that we inherit. Overall it’s one of the most positive ATR songs.
- Canyon Lalama

Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine, like many of their songs, speaks out against authorities. It is about how those who are supposed to be protecting our freedom and keeping us safe are, at times, racists and bigots, justifying their violence by hiding behind their badges.
- Aaron Vodnick

Money by Vitamin C is protesting how money is needed for everything in this world. To get anywhere, to be anything in this world, we need money. Mothers and fathers work long hours to earn enough money to buy a few extra things. Sometimes a family's plans are scheduled around business meetings and overtime shifts. Friends, girlfriends, and boyfriends have to strategically plan their days off work to spend time with each other and to earn enough for gas and the movie. The writer of this song wishes that it were love and not money that "makes the world go round".
- Brian Jutila and Anne Mueller

Startin' up a Posse by Anthrax directly challenges the censorship of the 80's. They this by simiply stating what words they were trying to use in their songs by that were getting cut out. They state these words then point out that others don't have the right to censore them. I am not sure but I believe they made an appeal before congress or some other powerful part of government so that no-one could censore this song. I attached the Lirics but I was unable find a copy of this song on Napster or anybody with the cd.
- Jeff Krohn

Strange Fire by The Indigo Girls is a song of peace and love. Strange fire is an offering of love that they are giving to others. They speak of loving yourself and then you will be able to dissolve all the hate that surrounds you.
- Trisha Grover

Your Racist Friend by They Might Be Giants talks about racism and questioning people who accept this trait in other people. They are telling us that racist people aren't right and we shouldn't allow them to influence us and our lives. Racism is never the answer to any problem. "Can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding." You can't say something and then take it back. If you said it, it came from somewhere in your brain and you mean at least a small portion of what you said. Racism is something that should not be tolerated
Whistling in the Dark by They Might be Giants is so true of myself and many other people. As the lyrics state, many of us would "rather be whistling in the dark." What we don't know can't hurt us. In this world were there is so much hate and violence, we are much happier if we shield our eyes to the rest of the world.
- Laura Biazzo and Randi Woodward

War? by System of a Down
- Sarah Simon