The Protest Song Ain't Dead

August 28, 2004 7:06 PM

All Songs Considered offers a sample of new tunes for the 2004 U.S. Presidential Election. "In this election year it seemed a good idea to put out a call for music about politics. What we wanted was satire; what we got were earnest and passionate songs that mostly bashed the incumbent president." There's also "a sample of the songs used to pump up crowds at political rallies" by both sides.
posted by mmahaffie (9 comments total)

The Future Soundtrack For America is quite good. And the book that came with it is funny.
posted by eustacescrubb at 7:28 PM on August 28, 2004

They got all anti-Bush songs not because of the shortage of conservative musicians but because it's almost impossiblle to write a compelling song about global issues like elminating bullying dictatorships, compared to say a song from the perspective of a terrified soldier. No political statement there, just saying.
posted by abcde at 7:41 PM on August 28, 2004

Great link. Thank you, mmahaffie!
posted by armoured-ant at 7:44 PM on August 28, 2004

I agree abcde.

Interesting that there's no songs for the newWrite in Mel Gibson for President movement. I just got a spam email from them at each one of my addresses, so I suppose they're taking the low-road for getting the word out.
posted by travis vocino at 7:56 PM on August 28, 2004

Repurposed at Devoter, 'cause It's Better There.
posted by wendell at 8:05 PM on August 28, 2004

it's almost impossiblle to write a compelling song about global issues like elminating bullying dictatorships, compared to say a song from the perspective of a terrified soldier.

If war can be distilled into the perspective of a terrified soldier, could a dictatorship not be handled similarly by focusing on a single oppressed citizen?

The majority of the pro-war songs I've heard seem to be more about nationalism and the focus seems to have less to do with creative difficulties and more to do with lack of imagination.
posted by aubin at 8:19 PM on August 28, 2004

From the alll-songs submission page: You will not be graded on your scissor skills.

See? And you folks thought NPR was humorless!

Seriously, I'm of two minds about their "established musician" vs. "off-the-wall wacko" submission rules. It seems so class-based for such an allegedly pinko outlet. But it seems also to offer room for someone like me to submit something. Maybe I'll try it. Either way, thanks, mmahaffie.

Write in Mel Gibson for President

I heartily support this initiative and encourage all God-fearing Americans to get behind and enact it. Really, it's our only hope. Don't forget now.
posted by soyjoy at 9:19 PM on August 28, 2004

As said in a previous thread, I think the only appropriate song to chime in after Bush's speech at the RNC would be "Roses" by Outkast.
posted by Peter H at 10:10 PM on August 28, 2004

Repurposed at Devoter, 'cause It's Better There.

I can't wait until we finally have another site for every single MetaFilter topic! We can finally get rid of music posts and this page will finally be a pristine, empty blue!
posted by eyeballkid at 11:27 PM on August 28, 2004