Bravo. Is this the last "Standing O"? Did I miss the deadline to add another protest song? I guess I did. Maybe I'll do a short take on my own site, but then again, as Phil Ochs sang, "I Ain't Marchin' Anymore."
"You're Breakin' My Heart" is notable for being an early example of the use of the expression "fuck you" in a recording without electronic masking; This likely denied it the radio airplay that would have been essential to making it a hit then.
That's a great list, and I think the timing works well -- after you've written about a number of classic songs these feel slightly less familiar and more personal.
What a great and varied list of songs! Thank you, Ellen, for including my track and to the others who submitted their entries and write-ups. I enjoyed reading them. I know some of these songs, but not all of them. Reading the context behind each one has me excited and intrigued to listen!
Thank you again for submitting, Michael. A song I'd never heard before, I was only familiar with the Fixin' to die rag, love the haunting beauty of your selection.
I just did a quick search on mining disasters and didn't realize that the Bee Gees' US debut song and a Top 20 hit was "New York Mining Disaster 1941" -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S43YhQ_eGTw
I remember that song and being a kid never cottoned on to the heavy subject matter.
Yes. It really foresaw what was to come. I’ve seen him perform live several times. Jarring to see an outspoken non-rightest Texan. He’s quite endearing.
You raise a key issue about protest music around motivation and authenticity. I've seen the same issue raised in terms of artists who participate in a benefit for a cause and have no history of supporting that cause, but get a lot of positive PR by participating. Other musicians who've donated time and money to the cause are usually the ones leveling the charges and not happy that someone was included who reaped personal rewards. But in some of those cases the artist brought in a new demographic or added star power, so there was a benefit to the cause.
I don't know Aurora's case personally, so I can't really comment. Having read about how often managers, labels, and others talk artists into things (and out of things), I'm never sure a young, impressionable artist is getting good advice.
But I do take your point -- we do want artists to be real and authentic and not 'pose' to win fans and sales. We see enough of that elsewhere!
Bravo. Is this the last "Standing O"? Did I miss the deadline to add another protest song? I guess I did. Maybe I'll do a short take on my own site, but then again, as Phil Ochs sang, "I Ain't Marchin' Anymore."
You are never too late, Wayne! I would love to have you do a guest post. I'll send you a DM.
All 👏👏👏
Have to agree, Al.
"You're Breakin' My Heart" is notable for being an early example of the use of the expression "fuck you" in a recording without electronic masking; This likely denied it the radio airplay that would have been essential to making it a hit then.
No doubt. Even the sentiment of the song might have made it iffy for radio airplay back then.
That's a great list, and I think the timing works well -- after you've written about a number of classic songs these feel slightly less familiar and more personal.
They all feel like thoughtful choices.
Yes, have to agree, Nick. Felt that way to me too.
What a great and varied list of songs! Thank you, Ellen, for including my track and to the others who submitted their entries and write-ups. I enjoyed reading them. I know some of these songs, but not all of them. Reading the context behind each one has me excited and intrigued to listen!
That's exactly how I feel when I receive them!
Thank you again for submitting, Michael. A song I'd never heard before, I was only familiar with the Fixin' to die rag, love the haunting beauty of your selection.
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I'm up to the rafters in mining disasters, could write an entire series. The Mollies story would make a great screen play. Down the rabbit hole.
Anyway, thanks for the invite into another great post and addition to my archive.
Thanks for contributing. It's an important topic.
I just did a quick search on mining disasters and didn't realize that the Bee Gees' US debut song and a Top 20 hit was "New York Mining Disaster 1941" -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S43YhQ_eGTw
I remember that song and being a kid never cottoned on to the heavy subject matter.
Same Old Wine - Loggins and Messina
Student Demonstration Time - The Beach Boys
What’s Goin’ On - Marvin Gaye
Volunteers/We Can Be Together - Jefferson Airplane
and many more.
Sad, but necessary that we still need protest songs.
Have to agree with your sentiment. The irony is such brilliant music coming out of adversity, which seems to enflame the human spirit to new heights.
I hadn't heard Same Old Wine or Student Demonstration Time before. What great songs.
You might have missed my post on What's Going On and the story behind it -- https://rocknrollwithme.substack.com/p/whats-going-on-by-marvin-gaye-1971
impressed with Aurora's Seed and video is very powerful. Most of our problems in society start with Greed sickness.
James McMurtry’s “Can’t Make It Here Anymore” is far and above my favorite protest song of all time.
Great example. Perhaps even more relevant now than when it came out. Such a contrast between the beautiful music and the heartbreaking lyrics.
Yes. It really foresaw what was to come. I’ve seen him perform live several times. Jarring to see an outspoken non-rightest Texan. He’s quite endearing.
I honestly can’t take anyone’s “protest” seriously when the entire thing is actually about them. Yes, I’m talking about Aurora.
OMG Look at me and how much I care! No, this isn’t cultural appropriation because I say things the Left likes.
She didn’t even do a land acknowledgement before the video started. What a poseur!
You raise a key issue about protest music around motivation and authenticity. I've seen the same issue raised in terms of artists who participate in a benefit for a cause and have no history of supporting that cause, but get a lot of positive PR by participating. Other musicians who've donated time and money to the cause are usually the ones leveling the charges and not happy that someone was included who reaped personal rewards. But in some of those cases the artist brought in a new demographic or added star power, so there was a benefit to the cause.
I don't know Aurora's case personally, so I can't really comment. Having read about how often managers, labels, and others talk artists into things (and out of things), I'm never sure a young, impressionable artist is getting good advice.
But I do take your point -- we do want artists to be real and authentic and not 'pose' to win fans and sales. We see enough of that elsewhere!