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Jesse Wells - Political Bard for our time

20 Sep 25 - 11:11 AM (#4228945)
Subject: Jesse Wells - Political Bard for our time
From: Stilly River Sage

I've listened to a few of his songs when people shared them in social media, and this morning I heard an interview with him on Weekend Morning Edition (but try as I might, it's not appearing in the NPR feed at the moment).

Wells is a well-respected and established rock musician who is observing the current toxic political environment and writing excellent songs about it.

https://www.wellesmusic.com/

Apparently last year Wells moved back to Arkansas to care for an ailing family member (father) and is doing his songwriting on topical material and performing in front of his phone out in a field (looks like under the power transmission lines).

He talked about writing songs, how once they are put to a tune they are "like a tattoo" in that it is fixed in place. His most recent one about Charlie (Kirk) has the lyrics under the video. The chorus goes

I heard laughing
I heard glee
but it coulda been you
it coulda been me

Jesse Wells on YouTube

On His Debut Album, Welles Pretties Up Dirty Rock And Roll (not a great headline for this article)

He was in a long interview on the Joe Rogan Experience on August 22, 2025.


21 Sep 25 - 06:26 AM (#4228975)
Subject: RE: Jesse Wells - Political Bard for our time
From: mayomick

Perhaps not a great headline for this article but it sends an appropriate warning to those of us who like rock and roll


22 Nov 25 - 09:04 AM (#4231908)
Subject: RE: Jesse Wells - Political Bard for our time
From: Stilly River Sage

He was on Steven Colbert this week. That song Join ICE is excellent.


22 Nov 25 - 01:10 PM (#4231930)
Subject: RE: Jesse Wells - Political Bard for our time
From: Helen

Yes, I saw him perform the Join ICE song on Colbert. Very clever and apt.


22 Nov 25 - 04:09 PM (#4231938)
Subject: RE: Jesse Welles - Political Bard for our time
From: GerryM

Lots of comments on his videos, comparing him to Woody Guthrie, Phil Ochs, and John Prine. By the way, his name is Welles, not Wells.


06 Dec 25 - 09:39 AM (#4232570)
Subject: RE: Jesse Wells - Political Bard for our time
From: pattyClink

New one "The Department of War" based on very recent events:

The Department of War


03 Jan 26 - 06:58 PM (#4233753)
Subject: RE: Jesse Wells - Political Bard for our time
From: Stilly River Sage

This is from two months ago but quite timely now: Venezuela.


04 Jan 26 - 03:26 PM (#4233794)
Subject: RE: Jesse Wells - Political Bard for our time
From: Mark Ross

A timely combo of John Prine and Phil Ochs.