I’ve been thinking a lot about this song and the question it asks. Protest songs were a big part of the cultural resistance to authorianism in the 1960s and 1970s and I miss them today. If anyone has any to share for the current moment, please do so in the comments. Maybe I am missing it, but it doesn’t feel like cultural leaders are stepping up and speaking out for American freedoms.
So here are three I thought of.
What’s Going On? - Marvin Gaye
Ohio - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Blowing in the Wind - Bob Dylan
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For the Spanish speakers, I have been listening to Solo Le Pido a Dios by Leon Geico. In English, I love The Porter’s Gate albums called Lament and Justice. Jon Guerra has a couple of great protest/lament songs - Citizens and American Gospel.
This is particularly appropriate,
Buffalo Springfield - For What It's Worth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80_39eAx3z8&list=RD80_39eAx3z8&start_radio=1
And this by Amy Grant:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAl05lQm4nQ&list=RDjAl05lQm4nQ&start_radio=1