How Has Rock Reflected Political Struggles Globally?

Rock Music as a Voice for Social and Political Resistance

From the very beginning rock has served as a powerful outlet for expressing dissent and challenging authority. Bands have used raw sounds and bold lyrics to tackle war, corruption, inequality and oppression. This rebellious streak made rock the natural soundtrack for protest movements and a vehicle for people that demanded change.

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Fortunate Son (All Rights Are Retained By Creedence Clearwater Revival)

How Rock Amplified Civil Rights and Human Rights Movements

Rockers around the world have highlighted issues of racial injustice and human rights abused. From anti-apartheid songs to those addressing censorship rock has been a rallying cry for those fighting for freedom.

Peter Gabriel – Biko (All Rights Are Retained By Peter Gabriel)

Rock as a Cultural Mirror During Times of War and Conflict

Major global conflicts have inspired generations of people to write songs that reflect the cost of violence, struggles of soldiers and trauma. These songs challenge the official narratives and makes rock a critical commentary on the reality of war.

The Cranberries – Zombie (All Rights Are Retained By The Cranberries)

Global Rock Movements and Underground Scenes of Resistance

Underground rock scenes have emerged across the globe in a show of defiance against oppressive regimes. Even when banned the rock community continued using music to express their identity and create spaces for free thought.

Scorpions – Wind Of Change (All Rights Are Retained By Scorpions)
All rights to the songs used in this post are retained by the relevant artists. This site claims no rights over them.


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15 responses to “How Has Rock Reflected Political Struggles Globally?”

  1. richardbist avatar

    One of the things I’ve noticed about politically-themed rock songs is that they are, for the most part, timeless. I’m not quite sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, meaning, are these themes simply universal, or is it that things on the political spectrum never change?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar

      I think you’re bang on the money. I think because war never ends and neither does corruption in politics. It’s themes than continue to endure so because of that so do the epic songs written as a counterbalence.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Michael Sammut avatar
    Michael Sammut

    Classic Rock 🤘

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Dominic Alapat avatar

    ‘Gimme Hope Joanna’ by Eddy Grant is a great political song about apartheid.

    Like

    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
  4. sambucadarling avatar

    RIP Dolores. And this:

    Liked by 3 people

  5. lyndhurstlaura avatar

    I agree. These songs never go out of fashion either, because there’s always some lousy stuff going on somewhere in the world. There have always been songs that did this, even if they’re not rock – which of course grew from earlier forms of music. I remember being on Girl Guide camp when I was ten, walking into a nearby village with others to buy something, and for some reason we started singing ‘We Shall Overcome’, as rendered by Joan Baez. I just googled it and found this recent rendition, if you’re interested. Long live music to draw attention to the wrongs of the world. Thanks for the post. 🙂 https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/3/3a/Joan_Baez_performs_We_Shall_Overcome_Feb_09_2010.webm/Joan_Baez_performs_We_Shall_Overcome_Feb_09_2010.webm.720p.vp9.webm

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar

      I am absolutely interested! Thank you 🙂 Always willing to learn and expand my horizons and knowledge 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. lyndhurstlaura avatar

        That’s great. It’s good to see Joan still going too, even though this was a few years back. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  6. RasmaSandra avatar

    Sometimes it seems that as it was then as it is once again now this songs is significant Eve of Destruction,

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Claudio D'Andrea avatar

    Great subject!
    There are so many other examples.
    U2
    CSNY’s “Ohio” and “Southern Cross”
    Green Day’s American Idiot.
    And more…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar

      Absolutely there are tonnes of examples and all good songs too

      Liked by 1 person

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