Crossroads of Protest: Historical Connections Between Racial Justice and Other Justice Movements
There are both historical and ongoing connections between the movement for racial justice and other social movements. This guide highlights the historical connection between the racial justice movement and the fight for a broad range of human rights.
Music and Protest Introduction
This collection of protest songs is not in any way meant to be exhaustive. Its purpose is to offer a taste of songs from throughout history and around the world, but with a particular focus on protest songs in the United States.
Graphic by Edel Rodriguez by for The Los Angeles Times
Print Books About Music and Protest
Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution: Music and Social Change in America by Publication Date: 2010-05-01
Rebel Music: Race, Empire, and the New Muslim Youth Culture by Publication Date: 2014-03-04
Lyrical Protest: Black Music's Struggle Against Discrimination by Publication Date: 1989-11-03
Story Behind the Protest Song: A Reference Guide to the 50 Songs that Changed the 20th Century by Publication Date: 2008-10-30
Revenge of the She-Punks: A Feminist Music History from Poly Styrene to Pussy Riot by ISBN: 9781477316542Publication Date: 2019-05-07
eBooks about Music and Protest
The Routledge History of Social Protest in Popular Music by Publication Date: 2013-07-04
Keep on Pushing: Black Power Music from Blues to Hip-hop by Publication Date: 2011-07-01
Crisis Music: The Cultural Politics of Rock Against Racism by ISBN: 1847793002Publication Date: 2013-07-19
Hip Hop Ukraine: Music, Race, and African Migration. by Publication Date: 2014-05-07
Playlists and Protest (Spotify)
Protest Songs in American History
- Song: Free America(y)Song of the American Revolution by Joseph Warren, composed in 1774. Full lyrics are here: https://songofamerica.net/song/free-america/
- A Hymn of Freedom-South Carolina, 1813Moore, John Hammond. “A Hymn of Freedom-South Carolina, 1813.” The Journal of Negro History, vol. 50, no. 1, 1965, pp. 50–53. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/2716408. Accessed 8 Jan. 2021.
- Civil War Music: The Battle Cry of FreedomLyrics and melody in link.
- Civil War Music: May God Save the UnionLyrics and melody in link.
Songs of Labor and Protest Around the World
- Say It Loud! 100 Great Protest Songs: Part 1 - Beethoven to Janis IanWide variety of protest songs from different times and places.
- Anti-Apartheid Freedom Songs Then and NowArticle with song samples.
"Philippines: Bangon! (Arise!): Songs of the Philippine National Democratic Struggle protests Ferdinand Marcos’ military dictatorship and the role of American imperialism in backing his regime."
- Labor Song of the MonthA playlist of songs about work and workers curated by Dan Graff, Director of the Higgins Labor Program at the Center for Social Concerns, University of Notre Dame.
- Union SongsMore than 843 songs and poems, lyrics only.
20th and 21st Century Protest Songs
- The 50 best protest songsOverview of mid to late 20th and early 21st century popular protest music. (Not all links work and not in chronological order, but there are some interesting songs here.)
Humor and Parody Protest Songs
- Political satire and music: Humorous (and political) songs in Donald Drumpf's AmericaArticle by Aurélie Denat, graduate student in English studies at Université Toulouse Jean Jaurès, France.