Globe Icon

Tuned in with Katy Krassner – The Times They Are A-Changing

SONGWRITING CAN BE CATHARTIC

Unrest is, well, difficult, right? It doesn’t feel good to be disrupted, chaotic, to not know which end is up…unless you’re a songwriter. Some of the greatest songs have come from a writer’s frustration, anger, sorrow, unease. No matter where you stand politically, it’s a time of change, and not just in America. To many, the whole world seems to be out of wack, and while most people just have to move through it, times like these present a boon to songwriters. Now is a good time to take the opportunity to express your exasperation through music. Here are some inspirations to get you going.

AND NOW YOU SEE THE LIGHT/YOU STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS

“Strange Fruit” (1939) – “Strange Fruit” is a powerful protest song written by Abel Meeropol and performed by Billie Holiday. The song sheds light on the lynching of Black Americans, using imagery comparing victims to fruit hanging from trees. The song is often regarded as a landmark moment in the civil rights movement.

“Masters of War” (1963) – Bob Dylan wrote this song in 1962 for his 1963 album “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan.” The lyrics are a protest against the Cold War and nuclear arms build-up of the early 1960s.

“Get Up, Stand Up” (1973) –After visiting Haiti, Bob Marley and band mate Pete Tosh wrote this song about the poverty and oppression they’d seen there. The song became a universal call to arms to resist tyranny and stand up for your rights.

“Killing in the Name” (1992)- this Rage Against the Machine track was inspired by Rodney King, who was badly beaten by police after a high-speed car chase. The brutality led singer Tom Morello to write the song, with the refrain, “some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses,” comparing the police to the klu klux klan. Many political organizations have tried to co-opt the song, missing the point of its original intent.

“Beautiful” (2002) – Christina Aguilara’s incredible vocals are what made people want to hear this song, but it was Linda Perry’s lyrics, about inner-beauty, self-esteem and insecurity, that made it a hit. The song has been widely embraced as an anthem by the LGBT community for its message of self-empowerment and inner beauty.

“I Want My Canada Back” (2015) – Possibly a surprisingly choice, but hey, if children’s singer Raffi can get pissed off enough to write a political song, you can too! Raffi was an outspoken critic of then Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservative party and used this track to encourage people to vote (and not for Harper). “Democracy is the heart of a free society, and Canadians can feel proud of their democratic traditions,” he said.

“Death to the Landlord” (2022) – Meryl Streek, a politically outspoken avant garde punk artist from Dublin, wrote this track slamming the behavior of Irish politicians and their role in creating the housing crisis in the country.

“transit” (2023) – Moby collaborated with the Sudanese singer Gaida to write this song about the journey of constant self-reflection and actualization. It’s about shedding, relearning, and questioning oneself on the constant path of healing. Interestingly, they created a video for the song about the Peruvian people’s connection with nature and
spirituality. As a way of life, when they cut a tree, they plant a seed, and this practice was an inspiration for the song.

“Labour” (2023) – Paris Paloma wrote this song because she felt the world was going backward regarding women’s rights. After releasing the song, Paloma encouraged women to share their experiences with misogyny. She filmed an accompanying music video portraying herself as a woman in Victorian times, since she felt that is the direction women are heading in.

IT’S NOT AN ACT OF LOVE IF YOU MAKE HER

When times are intense and in a seemingly constant state of flux, it can be cathartic for songwriters and artists to take all the feels and put it out there as art. Songs advocating for social change are always in style. Once you have written and recorded a great track that others will hear and say, “Yes, that’s exactly how I feel!” – get it out there for people to hear. You may just make somebody’s day, or year – who knows! What you express, can help others process, feel seen and understood. Make your art! Especially, when times are tough.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.