Rebel Music – songs of social justice

This playlist is a journey around some of my favourite protest songs. From the accidental protest song Dancing in the Streets by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, which inadvertently became an anthem of civil rights protests across USA. To the Redskins kicking over London’s statues, via Karine Polwarts ode to those who stood up to Donald Trump’s land grab in North-East Scotland. This playlist is a selection of some of the songs that made me stand up, shout and raise my fist in solidarity. I have ended it with a song of hope as, despite all protest songs being born out of anger against injustice, they are also about the desire to make our world a better place.

Click here to enjoy the full playlist

Bella Caledonia · Rebel Music

Comments (5)

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  1. David says:

    Might I suggest
    Tom Morello as the Nightwatchman full back catalogue
    JohnFogerty Fortunate Son

  2. Dougie Harrison says:

    Music – folk music – and 1960s ‘protest songs’ were part of my political being from my mid-teens in the 1960s. But with a few exceptions, I recognised few of the songs, or part-songs, featured here.

    I mention this only because Bella followers are aware that the largest age-group we must win to supporting independence is the one to which I belong. Folks my age are more likely to be won to independence by songs like ‘The wee magic stane’ (about the ‘theft’ of the Stone of Destiny from Westminster Abbey), or ‘Sky-high Joe’ (about the destruction of the only post-boxes in Scotland ever to bear the erroneous initials ‘EIIR’), than by anything here. They were popularised by being regularly sung on BBC’s ‘Tonight’ by Robin Hall and Jimmie McGregor when I was in my teens.

    Just a daft wee message from an oldie.

    1. Its a good point Dougie – such rich pickings from the 60s and 70s folk revival, time for many more protest playlists I think.

  3. Daniel Raphael says:

    Nice songs, but nothing by Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, or Woody Guthrie? Of course, it does matter just what “tone” you’re looking for: “Solidarity Forever” is a great song to march to, but “There But For Fortune,” is not . Songs of social justice have many tonalities and accordingly variable usefulness. There’s a large selection to choose from!

    1. I think this will need to be a series Daniel …

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