Why Political Music?

Amendment I

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. "

When our founding fathers wrote these immortal words in the First Amendment to the Constituion, they charged Americans with the responsibility, not just the privilege, of expressing their grievances towards their government and their society at large.

We use mass media today, as we have for the past two hundred years, for the purpose of spreading such opinions to the whole of society at large. Media has evolved from primarily newspapers, into the advent of television in the mid-twentieth century, and now with the use of the internet, ideas are spread on a global scale.

Artistic expression has long served as an alternative form of expression. Music provides a popular medium for expression, and has been used since the earliest days of our country's history. From the days of Yankee Doodle Dandy and Francis Scott Key's writing of the Star Spangled Banner, to modern day poets, music has inspired a variety of political messages. Some songs, such as Edwin Star's War or Public Enemy's Fight the Power give clear messages of retaliation against the system. Other artists, such as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and John Mellancamp have made careers of illustrating the shortcomings of society.

Political music can be straightforward, or subtle. It can be paint pictures, or ilicit such emotions as patriotism, anger, sorrow, pride, or care. It can seek to win elections, or to inspire legislation. It can serve as charitable reminders for a variety of worldwide problems.

The purpose of this site is to provide a variety of examples of political music. This list is by no means all-inclusive, and in all reality, it is heavy on late twentieth century music. The focus of this piece is on the power of modern day media, and how the use of radio, television, and online services and commercial recordings can help change society and the minds of those people in it, in a variety of ways.