Recognizing songs of protest

Illustration by Sydney Hanson

Music can often capture a snapshot of the cultural landscape during which it was produced. Since I’ve been in an 80s and 90s phase for the past few months, I became curious about the events that occurred alongside many of my favourite releases. It seems to me that artists used to be a lot more vocal with their stances on major issues. Even dedicating entire albums to global issues or messages close to their heart. Sometimes it feels like the life has been drained out of the music industry.  I feel myself connecting more with the passion of artists who have passed or no longer make music anymore. This is likely not the fault of any artists alone, but rather their management that wants to keep them accessible and loved by all. Gone is the anger and rebellious nature that brought together many communities during trying times. So I thought I would round up some artists who stood for what they believed in and stuck to their guns no matter what the rest of the world thought.

The Cranberries 

We might as well start with maybe one of the most famous protest songs in the recent alternative scene. The Cranberries wrote Zombie amidst the conflict between Protestants and Catholics concerning U.K. involvement in the Irish government. The specific event that led to the creation of the song was when the Irish Republican Army, the militia group leading attacks on the U.K., killed two children with a bomb hidden in a trash bin. The band’s singer and songwriter, Dolores O’Riordan, stated that she is against the atrocities performed by the IRA and causing any harm to innocent people. The Cranberries stuck out to me as an important band during this conflict after watching Derry Girls. The show makes use of their songs during many of its heartfelt and difficult moments. It perfectly showcases how the lives of teenagers were affected by the conflict at the time and how many of these songs became a soundtrack to their resilience. 

Tracy Chapman 

Tracy Chapman was discovered while she was performing at her university coffeehouse. She was practically begged to sign with the label Elektra and released her self-titled debut album in 1988. Tracy Chapman is an album chock-full of protest songs that are anti-war, anti-capitalist, anti-corruption, and so much more. I want to highlight the song that both got Chapman discovered and opens the album, Talkin Bout a Revolution. At the time of the song's release, there was no ongoing revolution. But with the rising income inequality in the United States at the time, she knew it was coming. The song later became an anthem of the masses when it was played at many protests centered on the anti-apartheid movement and the threat of nuclear war.

Sinead O'Connor 

Sinead O'Connor has consistently used her platform to address pressing social issues. She brought attention to sexual abuse claims against the pope during a controversial appearance on Saturday Night Live (SNL), making her one of the first to publicly discuss the issue. Even though she faced backlash, blacklisting, and hate following the SNL incident, O'Connor remained unapologetic. In her memoir, she stated she would take the same action again if given the chance. Her commitment to her beliefs has always been at the forefront of her career. She once stated, "I am a protest singer. I just had stuff to get off my chest. I had no desire for fame." Beyond the pope controversy, O'Connor has consistently spoken out on various issues, including child abuse, human rights, racism, organized religion, and women's rights, showcasing her unwavering dedication to using her voice for social change. 

The Tragically Hip 

Reigning back in and highlighting the Canadian activism occurring in our backyards, the Tragically Hip has always been outspoken about their beliefs. Gord Downie never shied away from expressing his views on both indigenous and environmental rights. Many have also commented on how, unlike many mainstream hits, Downie’s lyrics give women their own agency rather than describing us as objects. Downie also often penned songs about things happening in Canada, such as “Wheat Kings” which is about a man from Saskatoon who was wrongly convicted of murder at 17 years old. He was imprisoned for 23 years before his innocence was proven. The track strongly expressed the band's anti-capital punishment point of view.  

For me, knowing what an artist stands for allows for a better understanding of who they really are. It makes someone feel real and less like an idol who is above the rest of us. We all know what is going on in the world, but how do we deal with it and what can we do about it? Protest songs often become anthems that are larger than life, and some define entire movements. These songs are important in piecing together large moments in recent history, and I hope that we see this passion resurfacing within music soon.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4eSfJnNU0rIiX7bPAuo2yN?si=cf83b63faf344cd8