How music stays in tune with political concerns through the years

Compiled by Toria Bodden,Devonne Edora, Chris Giancamilli, Mila Pantovich, Michael Rawson

“All around me a voice was calling

this land was made for you and me.”

(“This Land is Your Land,” Bruce Springsteen)

Mike – Found on Live 1975-1985, the Boss’s rendition of Woody Guthrie’s American classic features Springsteen in fine form, making a nice little tune ooze with emotion. Also in vintage Boss fashion, in this version the audience hears a seemingly spontaneous story to preface the performance. Did you know “This Land is Your Land” was written in response to Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America”? Woody disliked the song and wrote “This Land” in 1940, in appreciation of the common people. It’s a fine song, but would I stick the original in my iPod? Not a chance. But Springsteen’s version? I already did.

“Let’s change the way we eat, let’s change the way we live

And let’s change the way we treat each other.

(“Changes,” Tupac)

Devonne – My favorite political resistance song is Changes by Tupac Shakur. It’s reminiscent of a time when rapping was more poetic and less iTunes Top 100. Even if your own musical taste doesn’t include hip-hop, Changes has a way of making people delve deep into the significance of America’s mixed culture. It’s 2010, and the United States is still fighting issues of racism and Eurocentric dominance. We can take a few cues from Tupac and try to make some changes.  Whether these issues in his song are personally relatable or not, everyone can understand his message that prejudice exists and needs our attention. Tupac encourages all people to create the changes we want to see. As elections are approaching, you might ask yourself what’s the point of voting? We can change tomorrow by having our say today. The time to act is now. College students have a voice worthy of attention. So CSUSM, use that voice, speak up! And as Tupac said, “It’s time for us as a people to start makin’ some changes.” Let’s make some better and brighter ones.

“If you could blow up the world with a flick of a switch

would you do it?”

(“The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song,” The Flaming Lips)

Chris – Released in 2006 on their album At War With The Mystics, The Flaming Lips “The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (With All Your Power)” song is a psychedelic rock anthem asking the listener what they would do if they were all powerful. From questions of blowing up the world, to giving money to the poor, “The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song” gives the listener the opportunity to think about the decisions they would make if they were a major world leader. As the dawn of the 2010 elections is upon us, remember that our votes give us power. The song’s final lyrics ask the listener the question, “With all your power, what would you do?”

“You got no time to lose

You are young men, you must be living”

(“The General,” Dispatch)

Toria – Dispatch’s “The General.” The song every general should hear. The general in question, “a decorated veteran with a heart of gold,” awakens on the morning of battle and tells his men to go home, saying, “I have seen the others / and I have discovered / that this fight is not worth fighting. I have seen their mothers / and I will no other / to follow me where I’m going.” Regardless of patriotism and courage, which our men and women in uniform have in abundance, I imagine it’s still gut wrenching to be responsible for so many lives, and heartbreaking to send them on assignments from which they don’t return. I don’t think we can ever fully understand the psychological cost paid by the members of our military. I hurt for this imaginary leader when he tells them, “You are young men, you must be living; go now, you are forgiven.”

“Here comes the future and you can’t run from it

If you’ve got a blacklist I want to be on it”

(“Waiting for the Great Leap Forward,” Billy Bragg)

Mila – Possibly the greatest protest singer and songwriter of the last 30 years, Billy Bragg has never shied away from sharing his political outrage by penning sharply intelligent lyrics. While written back in 1988, “Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards” is far from being outdated. Often adapting the lyrics to fit with political climates of where he is performing, Bragg’s song continues to stand as a call to arms for anyone unhappy with the way the political system is being run. The song carries an angry frustration and a deep blinding hope for that “great leap forwards” that anyone has the power to create, even if they have to “start [their] own revolution and cut out the middleman.”