Revolutionary Songs

By Contributor

November 27, 2009

We think Sparkler rebel_of_nowhere's playlist would be perfect for some kind of charitable bake sale. Sure, some grandmas might faint, but the most people will get in the mood for social change (and cookies!). —SparkNotes editors

I believe music is the ultimate medium for spreading ideas. Whether subliminal or obvious, lighthearted or serious, songs contain messages that reflect the problems and events in our society. Here are eight musicians who have used their songs to give the public some eye-opening lyrics:

Green Day: "American Idiot" and "Minority"
Green Day’s songs are invariably catchy and fun, but if you listen closely you will find that they don’t just sing about broken hearts and high school drama. "American Idiot" is one of the best songs about the problems of our nation. "Minority" is kind of like a deeper extension of "American Idiot."

The Beatles: "Imagine"
The Beatles’ uniquely brilliant song has been a classic since it debuted, and for good reason. If you wash away the greed, cruelty, and violence that can plague the modern world, you will see how John Lennon was imagining the world at its finest.

The Verve: "Bittersweet Symphony"
Sometimes it can seem like, as The Verve aptly puts it, we are"slaves to money." Society is too preoccupied with commercial success and financial gain to realize that the true worth of life is in your heart, not your bank account.

Joan Jett: "Change the World"
This song raises a question: Would it really be so hard to stop all the fighting? I mean, I’m not exactly Gandhi, but you have to admit Jett’s revolutionary song has some fair points.

R.E.M.: "End of the World as We Know It"
The turn of the 21st century marked the end of the world as we know it, as R.E.M. says. Times were changing and still are, along with things we never used to question. Heck, I’m still upset over Pluto not being a planet.

Toby Keith: "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue"
Keith wrote this song in the passionate aftermath of 9/11, and it definitely kept the fire burning. Patriotic and vengeful, this song makes you wave your flag and sing the national anthem.

Five for Fighting: "100 Years" and "World"
If you think about it, one hundred years is a very short time to live when there is so much to accomplish in life. "100 Years" shows that you better live your life to the fullest since you don’t have much time. "World" is a whimsical song about creating your own world. It makes listeners think about the world they've helped create...and how flawed it is.

Donna Summers: "She Works Hard for the Money"
With a growing number of women in the workforce, this song is especially appropriate, though it's not new. Move over, mister: Janie’s got a gun and things aren’t how they used to be.