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