Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years

Subject: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: Amos
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 05:50 PM

From Creative Loafing:

The Bush administration orchestrated a dubious war in Iraq that has resulted in more U.S. deaths than the 9/11 attacks. The president then responded carelessly to Hurricane Katrina while the nation watched in horror. The White House's tax cuts for the wealthiest have produced what sure feels like a recession -- plus record budget deficits. Then there's the whole perversion of the U.S. Constitution and a slew of other cruel blunders (vetoing State Children's Health Insurance Program, anyone?) too numerous to mention.
It's been a rough eight years, to say the least. The upside? Well, Bush has inspired some of the best protest songs in decades.

Everyone from Norah Jones to Young Jeezy has taken a swipe at the draft-dodging commander in chief. Here are my 10 favorites:

1. "A Few Words in Defense of Our Country, Randy Newman
Over gorgeous Dixieland piano, subtle horns, pedal steel, and stately strings, pop's king of satire sends up the Bush Administration by calling its actions mild compared to those of the Caesars, the Spanish Inquisition, Hitler, Stalin and King Leopold. The song plays for laughs while addressing a sad scenario that gains traction every day: "This empire is ending."

Killer line(s): "We don't want your love/ And respect at this point is pretty much out of the question/ But times like these/ We sure could use a friend."

2. "Worldwide Suicide," Pearl Jam
Knee-deep in Bush's second term, grunge survivors Pearl Jam issued a self-titled album featuring the band's choicest material since 1991's Ten. A scorching rocker, "Worldwide Suicide" finds the singer reading about the death of a young soldier he knows in the morning papers, an occurrence that has become all too commonplace in recent years.
Killer line(s): "Medals on a wooden mantle/ Next to a handsome face/ That the president took for granted/ Writing checks that others pay."

3. "When the President Talks to God," Bright Eyes
No artist has done a better job than Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst of capturing the hypocrisy of a Born Again Christian who is a big fan of the death penalty and proudly campaigned as the "bring 'em on" war president. Connor Oberst smartly avoids his trademark simile, metaphor and surrealism for straightforward zingers that connect like smart bombs.
Killer line(s): "When the President talks to God/ Does he fake that drawl or merely nod?/ Agree which convicts should be killed?/ Where prisons should be built and filled?"

4. "How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live," Bruce Springsteen
The Boss revived (and rewrote several verses) of this Great Depression-era folk song specifically for his triumphant performance at the 2006 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. I was there, and still get chills as I recall Springsteen delivering a stirring intro and then belting out this song with an army of guitars, keyboards, horns and gospel singers behind him. He dedicated it to "President Bystander."
Killer line(s): "There's bodies floatin' on Canal and the levees gone to Hell/ Martha, get me my 16 gauge and some dry shells/ Them who's got, got out of town/ And them who ain't, got left to drown."

5. "The Revolution Starts...," Steve Earle
Released in the summer of 2004 in hope of thwarting Bush's reelection campaign, the title track of alt-country hero Steve Earle's The Revolution Starts ... Now rolls down the track with all the roots-rock force of past hits like "Copperhead Road."
Killer line(s): "The revolution starts now/ When you rise above your fear."

6. "White People for Peace," Against Me!
Gainesville punks are outspoken anti-Bushites, but on this song they flip the script, questioning the value of "protest songs in response to military aggression."
Killer line(s): "Bureaucrats engaged in debate to try and reach a resolution/ The people sang protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun."

7. "Mosh," Eminem
The most intense and best-realized track on Eminem's uneven 2004 (released in November) album Encore, the song's finest verse finds Marshall Mathers spitting vitriol directly at Dubya.
Killer line(s): "Look in his eyes, its all lies/ The stars and stripes, they've been swiped, washed out and wiped/ And replaced with his own face."

8. "That's the News," Merle Haggard
The country star who spoke for the silent majority on his signature 1969 hit "Okie From Muskogee" changes his tune on 2003's "That's the News," an indictment of both the war in Iraq and the media's coverage of it.
Killer line(s): "Suddenly the cost of war is somethin' out of sight/ Lost a lotta heroes in the fight/ Politicians do all the talkin', soldiers pay the dues/ Suddenly the war is over, that's the news."

9. "Living with War," Neil Young
Granted, Young overdid it a bit with his 2006 protest album Living with War, clobbering listeners with tuneless slogans like "Let's Impeach the President." The title track, however, is vintage Young, with the fury offset by humanity and empathy for those suffering from the administration's unwise decisions.
Killer line(s): "And when the dawn breaks I see my fellow man/ And on the flat-screen we kill and we're killed again/ And when the night falls, I pray for peace."

10. "Not Ready to Make Nice," Dixie Chicks
No music act has paid more dearly for speaking out against Bush than the Dixie Chicks. On their first album after the debacle that witnessed the band's CDs being burned outside redneck radio stations, the women remained strong, especially on the self-explanatory single "Not Ready to Make Nice."
Killer line(s): "I'm through with doubt/ There's nothing left for me to figure out/ I've paid a price/ And I'll keep paying."

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: PoppaGator
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 06:02 PM

Glad to hear you were at Springsteen's show at the Jazzfest back in '06 ~ I was there too (somewhere in the back of that huge crowd). Wasn't it great? You should have PMed me beforehand, so we could have met.

Maybe next time ~ if there is a next time!

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: Jack Campin
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 06:10 PM

"Amerika katil katil" ("America Killer Killer") by Mahzuni Serif, updated for every Americnn killing spree since Vietnam and still going strong with new variants.

"The Chimp and the Poodle" by Davie Robertson, on the Bush/Blair war on Iraq.

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: peregrina
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 06:27 PM

Come back Woody Guthrie!
we need 'I ain't got no home' with a few new verses...this one still fits: 'The gamblin man is rich and the workin man is poor/And I ain't got no home any more...'

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: bankley
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 10:34 PM

"Anthem for Dissent"   Splitting the Sky and myself...

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: Amos
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 11:08 PM

"The Voice" by Bruce Murdoch.

Also his "Country, 'Tis of thee".



A

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: bankley
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 09:31 AM

Amen to that...

also "Petroleum Bonaparte"...Jim Page

    "I'm Taking my Country Back" ... David Kent

    "Dear Mr. President"... Pink

    "One Nation Under"... Blackfire

      also,

    "Shadow of the Twins' and "Mirage" on my next CD...

there are a lot,,,, bless them all for continuing to speak truth to power... in an attempt to make this world a better place through words and music....

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: topical tom
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 10:19 AM

Amen to that, Ron!

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: Art Thieme
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 05:41 PM

from The Bosses Song Book:

This land is their land,
It is not our land,
From the Wall Street offices
To the Hollywood starland

there's more...

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 06:38 PM

The Prick-a-lie Bush

And it's oh the prick-a-lie Bush,
He pricks my heart full sore,
And if I can get away from the prick-a-lie Bush,
I'll never VOTE republican no more.

You KNOW it makes sense!!

Don T.

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: GUEST,Jaze
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 07:50 AM

Day After Tomorrow-written by Tom Waits. Currently the title track of Joan Baez' new album

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: Andrez
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 09:22 AM

Hi Amos, too bad that link to creative loafing doesn't have have the song files as downloads. l I could do with a good playlist of anti Bush songs as I drive to work. Lettuce know of any more titles as you come across them.

Cheers,

Andrez

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 09:58 AM

there's lots at JTMP.org    (Justice through music project)

you'll have to paddle there yourself......

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: Mark Ross
Date: 27 Sep 08 - 12:23 PM

David Rovics BEHIND THE BARRICADES.


Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: oldhippie
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 08:17 PM

Ah, there are so many, here's a list of some of my favorites, in no particular order. (The "Creative Loafing" top 10 at the top of the thread seem to include only mainstream songs, which does not necessarily make them the best options.)

Wartime President Song - Ariel
Price Of Oil - Billy Bragg
My Uncle Is A Terrorist - Bruce Lesnick
He Swapped The Bottle For The Bible - The Bushwackers
Dangerous Times - Chuck Brodsky
Talkin' Al Kida Blues - Dan Bern
Hey There Mr President - Dave King
12 Days of Bushmas - Dave Lippman
Texas Air National Guard - David Hershey-Webb
I Have Seen The Enemy - David Rovics
Bomb Ourselves - David Rovics
Operation Iraqi Liberation - David Rovics
September 11 The Day The Universe Changed - Ethan Daniel Davidson
I'm George W - George Mann
Its Hard To Put Food On Your Family - George Mann
King George III - Hugh Blumenfeld
Go Home Terrorist - Jerry Isham
Yellow Stain From Texas - Joe Befumo
Hail To The Chief - John McCutcheon
International Cowboy - John Warner
You'd Better Keep An Eye On Him - Jonathan Byrd
Homeland Security Blues - Ken Ficara
Freedom Avenue - Michael Brewer
Dont Be Afraid of the Neo Cons - Norman Blake
Somewhere Down The Line - Old Number 8
My Hero Mr President - Paula Cole
Cowboy (Ode To Dubya)- Peggy Watson
Chickenhawk Blues - Peter Dyer
Dear Mr President - Pink
Houston Texas DC - Scott Morrison
You Aint A Cowboy - Stephan Smith
Bushwacked - Steve Brooks
The W Song - Ted Blackwell
George W Told The Nation - Tom Paxton
Cowboy President - Yikes McGee
The Freedom Wall - Freebo
When You're Back On Your Ranch In Texas - Tom Pacheco

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 01:43 AM

An Election Shanty, here in the DT.

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: Jayto
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 11:23 AM

Pearl Jam also did a great remake of Dylan's Masters of War. I can't remember how long it has been out but it rings true to this day and still just as powerful.

Steve Earle Christmas time in Washington, Ashes to Ashes, I could keep going and going with him.

Ron Bankley Insurgent Sun Cd CHECK IT OUT!! Great writing, playing, singing, and production. Just killer CD.

Pearl Jam Worldwide Suicide -- I know it has already been listed as well but I had to second it as well.

Where is Rage Against The Machine when you need them? C'mon Zach get it in gear man.

There have been several punk compilations released as well named Rock Against Bush. Some of the songs where great some needed more thought and effort but in general they are some great CDs.

Check out NOFX and Bad Religion.

There are voices out there you just have to look and listen.

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: Amos
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 11:37 AM

Here's a link to the songs at Justice Through Music (http://www.jtmp.org/songs.php)

A

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: bankley
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 12:12 PM

thanks Amos.... a solid site, eclectic.... but with a common theme, and most importantly... open to all writers.. I sure discovered some good things there...

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: InOBU
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 12:21 PM

I found this one on Mudcat a while ago... from some, NY Quaker boy... some folksinging busker who wrote a few about the Bush years... eh hem... well....

LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE
Words Lorcan Otway
Tune Birmingham Sunday
All rights reserved.

By Bennington's fields in the steel light of dawn,
Crouched by a stone wall, where I knew they'd come on,
Musket primed for a foe from far over the wave,
In the land of the free and the home of the brave.

In this young fledgeling nation, just learning to fly
We rallied to Shays, vowing live free or die
George Washington's army caused many to flee
our crime being brave, our intent to be free

In tobacco fields, my mother's labor pains
Brought me to the life of the lash and slave chains.
I fled north to Canada from slavery
To the home of brave and the land of the free.

See Crazy Horse ride with no fear on the plain
To Greasy Grass battle, a victory to gain.
From Yellow Hair's murders his people to save,
The Lakota live free in the home of the brave.

In a dark prison cell, I barely can see
Hans Yoder who lies bruised and tortured like me.
We Quakers and Amish no Great War will fight.
We bravely sought freedom from tyranny's might.

With great grandfather's musket, I offered the fight
To a coward in a jet plane who struck in the night.
All of my forefathers in these mountains like me
Made Afghanistan home to the brave and the free.

So pause on these days when the banners all wave.
Ask yourself, what is freedom, and where are the brave?
Have courage to stand with the brave and the free
When your nation strays from the path of liberty.

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: Banjiman
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 12:22 PM

Daddy's Real Proud of Me! ......by me!

Paul

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: Banjiman
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 12:22 PM

OK maybe not the best, but my best effort!

Paul

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: oldhippie
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 05:47 PM

Almost forgot

Lets Get Bush Off The Wagon - Shawn Sage

Subject: RE: Best Protest Songs of the Bush Years
From: InOBU
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 09:19 PM

That Lorcan fellow, also wrote this one...

After the Victory
Words Lorcan Otway
Tune, Traditional, The Streets of Derry

My child came home to me after the victory
My father came home now, to leave no more
My husband came home after the speeches
My brother came home after the war

He joined the army, for some security
He joined the army his past to flee
He joined the army instead of college
After public schooling nothing else was free

They promised training, they promised schooling
He was given training, to shoot a gun
He was sent to war with false dreams of glory
But war was fear and pain and scorching sun

Then came the word from the well trained leader
From the deck of a warship, miles from harms way
The war was over, our side victorious
The nation cheered the troops that won the day

Then came rebuilding, among the ruins,
While still the guns barked and bombs ripped the air
From where he stood it seemed the war was raging
While profiteers raced in to get their share

He saw the labels he saw the logos
He saw that Haliburton won the war
For to the victor, alone will go the spoils
He began to see who he was fighting for

But for the soldiers, no war had ended
For all his comrades the fight was still on
Untill the peace came, like a white hot hammer
And then the blackness fell and his life was done