Pete Townshend was so “irked” because “the song was meant to let politicians and revolutionaries alike know that what lay in the centre of my life was not for sale.” Funny, most of the Who’s back catalog is apparently for sale now to any corporation willing to pay the price. I cringe when I hear those songs peddling merchandise. Whatever Pete. You have whored out your songs.

Very good point. Why, where would CSI and car commercials be without Mr. Townshend?

I kept wishing one of the “Idol” contestants would have the balls to pick a song like one of these last season. But no such luck:

“Short Memories,” Graham Parker — the ridiculousness of war ain’t a new topic; that’s exactly why this song still seems so current — though it was released long before W. did his thing

“Beneath the Arches,” Gods Little Monkeys — the angriest a cappella about poverty that you’re gonna hear; this little-known group is way underrated

“16 Military Wives,” The Decemberists — master of irony Colin Meloy skewers the Iraq War and the Oscars simultaneously

And… I know I’m breaking the 30-year rule, but here’s one that deserves special mention:

“It Isn’t Nice,” Judy Collins — you will be surprised by how tough she sounds; when I discovered it recently, I felt the urgency of the voter registration movement in a new way

I could go on. But gotta get back to work.

Team Dresch’s “Hate the Christian Right” and Bikini Kill’s “New Radio” immediately come to mind. The Dead Kennedys’ “California Uber Alles”, Tom Waits “Day After Tomorrow”, X-ray Spex “Oh Bondage, Up Yours!” and Nirvana’s ironically subversive “Rape Me” or “Dumb” also come to mind.

I always thought Death or Glory is about trying to make it in the music industry… including that song is a bit of a strech, like many on the conservative’s list…But definate props for limiting the list to the last thirty years.

Best Lefty song “Dear Mr. President” from Pink. period.

The entire Rage Against the Machine catalog is one big critique on the evils of government. After 9/11 the government sent radio stations a list of songs they shouldn’t play becuase of the anti-patriotic message they sent. Rage’s entire catalog was listed and comprised the majority of the list.

Forgetting the 30 year rule…

“This Land is Your Land.” Anyone? Anyone? It was written as a response to “God Bless America’s” jingoist grandstanding and basically was meant to say “Hey, this is everybody’s country.” What’s more American than that?

I like
“Here comes President Kill again.”-XTC

“Rock The Nation.” or anything else from Michael Franti

“Babylon System.” Bob Marley

“Shut “em Down.” Public Enemy

“Right and Wrong.” Joe Jackson

“Conspiracy Theory.” Steve Earl

“In Your Name.” Living Colour

Of Course “Bobzo Goes To Bitburg.” The Ramones

That’s my story and i’m stickin’ to it.

“Bonzo” rather. Excuse me.

Sex Pistols- Anarchy in the UK
SOAD- War
Pearl Jam- Do the Evolution

“Slow Down Ghandhi” By Sage Francis

“Son of a Bush” by Public Enemy

“16 Military Wives” is a brilliant song. How about Immortal Technique’s “4th Branch” or “Cause of Death”. As overplayed as it is, Green Day’s “Holiday” is actually a very good song. The Flaming Lips “Yeah Yeah Yeah Song” is catchy AND political, always a good combo. Gorillaz’s “Dirty Harry” is also. Just some examples to get ya thinking

Notables: (in no particular order)
*Fox TV – Pennywise
*Bring the Noise – Public Enemy
*RATM – Vietnow
*Pearl Jam – Green Disease; World Wide Suicide
*Bouncing Souls – A Letter from Iraq
*Bob Dylan – Masters of War
*Clash – Magnificent Seven
*Neil Young – Rockin in the Free World
*Green Day – Holiday
*Barry McGuire – Eve of Destruction
*CCR – Fortunate Son
*Garbage – Sex is Not the Enemy
*Bad Religion – the Defense
*Johnny Cash – Man in Black

At least half of Radiohead’s “Hail to the Thief”. Particularly: 2+2=5, Where I End And You Begin, I Will, and Wolf At The Door.

In No Particular Order:

“16 Military Wives” by the Decemberists
“Let’s Impeach The President” by Neil Young
“Paranoiattack” by The Faint
“Death Or Glory” by The Clash
“Testify” by Rage Against The Machine

Here’s a better question: Name a rock song that actually changed somebody’s political views. Conservatives buy the same music and movies as everyone else.

“With God On Our Side”- Bob Dylan