Name some good songs/albums/artists with a message (preferably against war, hate, oppression) that aren't just cheesy as hell? I avoid most politically-themed punk because it's just cringe-inducing.
A good example is War Pigs. Obviously anti-war from the title, but the lyrics themselves feel a bit more subtle than most anti-war punk songs...
Hard mode: stuff from this decade Nightmare mode: EDM/IDM
Activism is lame. Express your political opinions where they count, at the polls, in prayer, and among friends who ask for your perspective.
Most musicians haven't lived enough to have a well formed view of life yet anyway, you're just gonna reveal a naivity that embarasses you as an adult.
Bentley Mitchell
"Write what you know", right?
Kids should be celebrating the discovery of pleasure and freedom. Not being useless idiots for some ideology contrived by the generation that birthed them.
Landon Morris
*USEFUL idiots
Blake Fisher
Born in the USA Moroccan people's revolutionary bowling club Fortunate Son TPAB
Jordan Perry
All we are saying Is give peace a chance
David Richardson
There are no good political songs, they're always cringe as fuck. There are good historical story based songs but there are zero good activist songs. this
Luis Harris
Honestly, as a woman, socially conscious music makes my pussy wet and stinky. Love it, love it!
Juan Johnson
War Pigs is as hamfisted as most punk, the only difference is they used a very thin metaphor. May as well throw in No Doves Fly Here.
war pigs was meant to be some fantasy song but the label demanded they make it politcal. makes u think
Wyatt Jones
>Express your political opinions where they count, [...], in prayer
kek
Juan Thompson
Sad because fantasy lyrics were better
Nicholas Jackson
I dunno man. They never flat out say "fuck war" like most punk songs. They just describe war as a bad thing. Not saying all political punk songs are like that, but most are. There a few good ones, but those are the exception rather than the norm.
Nolan Cruz
So the only difference is the lack of the words fuck war? Because you can't argue that it's very anti war, very anti politics and even the "you're gonna get what's coming to you" angle is common in punk.
Ayden Scott
It was just an example.
Yeah, I never said "there are no good political punk songs" but they are a rarity.
Christian King
Sure, I'm not debating they are a rarity, but War Pigs really isn't all that above a run of the mill punk song. They just use a slightly better verbiage(?) and their chorus isn't "fuck war" x5. Otherwise all the themes and cliches are there.
Nolan Brown
What the fuck do you listen to, fucking ear-bleed inducing NOISE?
I don't know when it was that you decided to get your hearing accustomed to this major bullshit, but it's too late to redeem. I'd bet your body gets confused since the lyrics is anti-war and the melody makes you want to kill yourself and everyone else around you.
Fucking trash.
First time in /mu and I sincerely hope it gets better.
Christian Clark
With the internet social media this isn't really needed anymore, anyone can get involved in politics online they don't need to rally around songs
Thomas Parker
You can't trust freedom when it's not in your hands
Josiah Russell
Not seen this pasta yet.
Brandon Cook
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Angel Sanders
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Aaron Price
Agreed but some have experienced real things that have shaped their views, as opposed to kids who just grow up in the suburbs and read about stuff
>God is going to change the state of the entire country at my request >calling anyone else naive
Julian Evans
"The War" by Lucero >It really just talks about how the inscripted get fucked over
"Sky Pilot" by Eric Burdon (maybe with the Animals???) >Same general theme as above, but also talks about the folly of hero worship and how silly nationalism/patriotism are.
"California Uber Alles" Dead Kennedys >There are two versions of this, one from before Reagan was elected President, I think, that talks about "Governor Jerry Brown, always smiles and never frowns" and then another about "President Ronald Reagan, Born again with Fascist cravings." Neither are really that awesome, but taken together, they do a good job of making the pint that picking a party doesnt solve a problem; both are corrupt, or at least participate in corrupt bargains. Think about it, Jerry Brown is one of the most liberal politicians of the last 50 years and they are lumping him in with the god-head of the GOP.
"Jesus Built My Hotrod" - Ministry >Not overtly or over the top political, but basically promotes the idea that the god on which you place all your value is a sham and may as well be a car mechanic.
Logan Martin
oh also one of my favorites: "B.Y.O.B." by System of a Down >you know it - not so much anti war, but anti capitalistic warmongering.
Ian Gray
Are you just looking for punk/similar? If not, I think Woody Guthrie is really good
Kevin Collins
No. No punk. Preferably classic rock, hip hop or bleep bloops.