Here we are, the 5th of November (remember, remember, the 5th of November), and in just 3 days the United States will be electing their next president. I don’t really consider myself a political person, but I have definitely taken more notice this year than previous years. Maybe it’s age, maybe it’s the fear of impending doom that the two main candidates seem to be dragging along with them on their way to the White House… whatever it is, they have my attention this time. So with my eye on the impending election I present to you a list of political songs!
How great is Alice Cooper? I would put him on every list I make if I could!
I really need one of those “Make America Sick Again” t-shirts!
Next up, Twisted Sister. I’m sure a lot of you heard about Trump using “We’re Not Gonna Take It” so of course this band has made their way into the political soundtrack. “We’re Not Gonna Take It” is a great song, but “Wake Up (the Sleeping Giant)” is my song of choice.
Moving on, I bring you Black Sabbath. “War Pigs” to be more specific. What a wonderfully great song to listen to while waiting to see who will be taking office!
I feel quite strongly that no list of political songs or bands would ever be complete without these guys:
Honestly, I probably should have gone as far as to list them first, but I really don’t put these things in any particular order. Rage Against the Machine is extremely politically fueled- anyone who has listened to them at all can tell you that. So here’s some of my favorites from them.
Up next is one and only Megadeth. This is another band that has a lot of songs that deal with political issues. “Rust In Peace/Polaris”, “Peace Sells”, “Foreclosure of a Dream”, and “Holy Wars” are just a few.
The message has never been a subtle one. Megadeth has always been a favorite of mine, “Dawn Patrol” being at the top of my list. And another one that has always had my favoritism is “Symphony of Destruction”. No other election that I’ve been around for has brought this song to mind that the one upon us now.
Disturbed has probably done of my all-time favorite remakes when they remade “Land of Confusion”. I can remember being absolutely terrified by the original video when Genesis released it in the ’80s, but even then I understood it was something important if it was that intense. I always liked the song so when my husband first played Disturbed’s version I was really excited. As a result their version of the song has made my list!
Next on my list is Pantera. Vulgar Display of Power gave my one of my favorites by them, not because it’s political but because it’s message has always been such a great message to me in general. “Rise” has always been one of my favorites by Pantera, and therefore it absolutely makes the cut.
We’ve got no time to lose
Your news is old news
Hate this, hate me, hate this
Right approach for the wrong
It’s time to spread the word
Let the voice be heard
All of us, one of us, all of us
Dominate and take the motherfucking world
Mass prediction, unification
Breathing life into our lungs
EVERY creed and EVERY kind
To give us depth for strength
Taught when we’re young to hate one another
It’s time to have a new reign of power
Make pride universal so no one gives in
Turn our backs on those who oppose
Then when confronted we ask them the question
What’s wrong with their mind?
What’s wrong with your mind?
It’s time to RISE
We’ve lived with past mistakes
And we’ve lived with our own
Forgive, forget forgive
Be a man, not a child
There are to tears for peace
Of the common sympathies
Educate, reinstate, educate
A thing of past
The trouble in the states
It’s time to RISE
This image is from the “Mouth for War” lyrics, but I absolutely loved it.
Last on my list is Nine Inch Nails. Trent Reznor has an incredibly intense and brilliant way of delivering his message, and that is why Nine Inch Nails has been my favorite band since the very early ’90s. With songs like “Head Like a Hole”, “Hand That Feeds” and “Capital G”, the man has always had his way of letting us know “the system” is full of shit (pardon my French, but exactly).
And this is when I tell you I’m gonna cheat a little bit and throw some David Bowie in here by way of Nine Inch Nails. See, David and Trent teamed up and as a result we got “I’m Afraid of Americans”.
Now I don’t know about you guys, but I’m a sucker for David Bowie, always have been, so if I can find a way to tie him into this rock/metal list, I’m all for it! So I present you with two great songs, “I’m Afraid of Americans” and “Black Star” from Bowie’s last album.
I will admit that “Blackstar” is a bit of a stretch on the political side of things, but he looks like some sort of leader throughout the video so I made it work. Humor me!
Alright, well, that wraps up this list of incredibly cool election day tunes you guys can check out! And if you have any songs you’d like to add to the list feel free to drop them in the comments below for all of us to check out as well!
Monica Redwine
