Just in time for America’s July 4th weekend, here’s a selection of new protest songs

The concept of the protest song had grown moribund over the last couple of decades as people decided that social media was a better way to show their displeasure with…whatever. No more.

New protest songs are coming out almost every day. Some are deadly serious and angry while others use parody to make their point. Here’s a selection of today’s tracks which have arrived just in time for American’s 4th of July weekend.

Tom Morello and Dan Reynolds

County on the Rage Against the Machine guitarist to come up with something that focuses attention on racism and police brutality. “Stand UP” features help from Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons, producer the Bloody Beetroots, and singer Shea Diamond, a black transgender woman who has been an activist for years. Proceeds from the song will be donated to the NAACP, Southern Poverty Law Centre, Know Your Rights Camp, and the Marsha P. Johnson Institute.

Pussy Riot

Today’s environment is perfect for a band like Russia’s Pussy Riot. They just released a track called “RIOT” inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests in the US and the the arrest of member Peter Verzilov in Russia on the charge of “inciting mass riots.”

I quote the lyrics:

yeah sex is great
but have you ever fucked the system
hate to hate
and my religion is resistance
gatograde
the only thing they water plants with
fuck the state
men love when women only whisper
hear me scream
your silence won’t protect u

“Like a Kidney Stone” Parody

As a sufferer of kidney stones myself–the pain can be Dilaudid-level insane–I immediately gravitated to this parody of the Bob Dylan classic. This track stands up for the many female journalists who have been bullied by Donald Trump because he’s so threatened by strong women. (Via DB)