Rock Music and Political Awareness

"when the rich wage war, it's the poor who die." Linkin Park - Hands Held High

Most of us grew up listening to rock music and some of us were around when it was considered evil and satanic.

What most critics don't realise is how rock music has almost always been on the cutting edge of political protest - protesting against Vietnam, Apartheid, Sexual Abuse and lately - the so-called Global War on Terror (GWOT).

This is not intended to be a comprehensive discussion. It is merely my impression and views on how Rock music has affected my critical life stages:
from a pre-teen in South West Africa (now Namibia);
to a teenage soldier in Apartheid South Africa;
an apologist in Post-Apartheid SA;
and, finally, to a Conspiracy Theory nut in the post-911 Era.

I am writing this in 2 main parts (Apartheid, and Post-911)

First - the Apartheid Era

Pink Floyd - The Wall
No male living in apartheid South Africa will ever forget this album. It was banned of course.
"We don't need no education" became the anthem of black school children who were forced to learn Afrikaans.
Pink Floyd
As a questioning teenager I was torn between the propaganda, reality, and my own ideals.

I never supported the Afrikaans government, but I could never fully rebel, as I did not support Terror as a means of finding freedom. To me, the ANC were not Freedom-fighters, they were Terrorists. Only a terrorist would plant a bomb at a school or shopping mall.

U2 - The Joshua Tree and the live album Rattle and Hum
U2 in the 80's were incredible ... I still remember Bono introduced the song Silver and Gold and talking about Artists against Apartheid. I could never understand how they would refuse to let their music be played here when it was their music that was getting the message across!
They were making us white kids think. They were giving us a message that adults and the propaganda did not want us to listen to.


Here are artists you may never have heard of:
Bright Blue - Weeping
A beautiful song that spoke about the tragedies of war/apartheid. It actually had a music reference to our future national anthem Nkosi Sikelel iAfrica (God Bless Africa).

"I knew a man who lived in fear
it was huge it was angry
it was drawing near
Behind his house a secret place
was the shadow of the demon
he could never face.

He built a wall of steel and flame
and men with guns to keep it tame
Then standing back he made it plain
that the nightmare would never ever rise again
But the fear and the fire and the guns remain.

It doesn't matter now it's over anyhow
He tells the world that it's sleeping
But as the night came round I heard
it slowly sound
it wasn't roaring it was weeping
it wasn't roaring it was weeping."

Weeping

Johnny Clegg
Johnny was known as The White Zulu. He was fluent in Zulu and his songs had enourmous cross-cultural appeal. Here is

an extract from his song Missing:

"Burning tyres on the freeway
Noone in sight
Thre’s a raging calm
Across the land tonight
Voice on the radio says
Another one’s down tonight.
It don’t matter anymore
Which side he’s on.
Came to your place to see
If you’re all right
And the shadows
Danced across the stairway
Flight after flight
And I was banging at your door
But you weren’t there anymore
And the g-man stepped
Into the light and said
This is war!"

Part 2:
Post-911 (Unwravelling the Lies or Just Stop The Killing)

I discovered Guns 'n Roses relatively late in life - the song Civil War with the last line asked sarcastically:

"What's so civil about war anyway?" has always resonated with me.

It has been written that an anti-war stance, specifically by American groups is unpatriotic and tantamount to signing their own musical death warrant
Link

But it seems that for some, this is more encouragement. As time has passed, more and more bands are waking up, and

waking other up to the fact that something is terribly wrong in the Middle East.


Green Day - American Idiot (entire album)
Metallica - Don't Tread On Me
System of a Down - Boom
Five Finger Death Punch - their new album can rightly be called an angry anti-war album but supports the troops:
Here is how they describe their new album War is the Answer:

"It's a phrase we've had up our sleeves for some time, and I've been talking about it a lot in interviews. In fact, somebody just asked me: 'If war is the answer, then what is the question?', and I guess the answer to that is "the meaning of life" ! Because life IS war. Basically, you're fighting against one thing or another right from the start – you're fighting for survival with pretty much everything against you, you're fighting for social or political positions... And of course there are occasions when the only really appropriate response is to punch someone in the mouth! It's a pretty involved subject once you really start to think about it, and this record covers it all – the deeper meaning and of course the more shallow one too!"

Link

Linkin Park - Hands Held High
Minutes to Midnight. Heard of the Doomsday clock?
en.wikipedia.org...)" target="_blank" class="postlink" rel="nofollow">Doomsday Clock
Hands Held High is an incredible anti-Bush, anti-War anti-Elite killer of a song ... read these lyrics:

Cause I'm sick of being treated like I have before.
Like I'm stupid standing for what I'm standing for.
Like this war's really just a different brand of war.
Like it doesn't cater to rich and abandon poor

Link

How has rock music affected you?




[edit on 5/11/2009 by deltaalphanovember]

[edit on 5/11/2009 by deltaalphanovember]

Being in a heavy metal band, and listening to rock my whole life, I think there is alot to be said about alot of bands out there.

Rage Against the Machine is the ultimate in gov't awareness music. I could probably quote all their songs and get alot of messages out there, but I'm not filling the entire page.

Just read one of their album covers, preferably the self-titled one.

I continue to advocate, while in my band, that we stand up for what is right and tell the people who listen to actually wake up. Its just hard for my singer to completely agree....although I am getting a start.

Another good band is HED P.E.. They are alittle extreme, but still, you get the sense that they are telling people about the corruption.

Just my thoughts.

Man! I thought you had more coming....

[edit on 5-11-2009 by havok]

reply to post by havok


I like your background pic.

It seems to be that the only bands that have the real courage to stand up these days are the metal bands.

You don't see many other pop or mainstream bands doinf this ... too afraid to upset their record labels.

no, I actually got both Parts in one post ... feel free to post.

Muse are another good example, their new album is called 'The Resistance' that really says it all, and in their past albums too they have a strong message going out and an interest in conspiracies.

Whats this you speak of? Rock Music and Political Awareness?
Now your talking!

Let us not forget about the masters of Rock.. Ironmaiden!!!
Here is just one of their many songs that is right up your alley!

Iron Maiden - Be Quick Or Be Dead

Covered in sinners and dripping with gilt
Making you money from slime and from filth
Parading your bellies in ivory towers
Investing our lives in your schemes and your powers

You got to watch them - Be quick or be dead
Snake eyes in heaven - The thief's in your head
You've got to watch them - Be quick or be dead
Snake eyes in heaven - The thief's in your head....

Be quick !
Or be dead !
Be quick !
Or be dead

See... what's ruling all our lives
See... who pulling the strings...
I bet you won't fall on your face
Your belly will hold you in place

The serpent is crawling inside of your ear
He says must vote for what you want to hear
Don't matter what's wrong as long as you're alright
So pull yourself stupid and rob yourself blind.

You got to watch them - Be quick or be dead
Snake eyes in heaven - The thief's in your head
You've got to watch them - Be quick or be dead
Snake eyes in heaven - The thief's in your head....

Be quick!
Or be dead!
Be quick!
Or be dead

Check out one of my older threads that deals with Music and the New world order!

Old school metal head here!

reply to post by zysin5


Never was a big Iron Maiden fan ... but love Fear of the Dark (live version)! Had all their posters ... when I went to the army, my mother tore them all down

Nice post!

Going back to the actual roots of applying rock as a political device, you might want to visit Haight-Ashbury in the 1960s.

Then it all blossomed...

Taking direct shots at the war in Vietnam and the Nixon administration, there was Crosby, Stills and Nash (and later, Young). Songs like ‘Ohio’ told about the Kent State shootings of anti-war protesters by the National Guard…

Tin soldiers and Nixon's comin'. We're finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drummin'. Four dead in Ohio.
Gotta get down to it. Soldiers are gunning us down.
Should have been done long ago.
What if you knew her and Found her dead on the ground?
How can you run when you know?

Then there was Country Joe at Woodstock and his version of how to deal with a government seemingly out of control…

Yeah, come on all of you, big strong men,
Uncle Sam needs your help again.
He's got himself in a terrible jam
Way down yonder in Vietnam
So put down your books and pick up a gun,
We're gonna have a whole lotta fun.

And it's one, two, three, What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam;
And it's five, six, seven, Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

There’s certainly a lot more… both to these songs mentioned and to those not listed here. Music is a good medium to get a message out and reach deep into the human psyche in search of our soul.


[edit on 5-11-2009 by redoubt]

reply to post by redoubt


Thank you, I was trying to apply my own political awareness experience as a twist to Rock Music (as a whole it's a huge subject but not relevant to my own subjective awakening).

I am particularly interested in hearing of other member's experience with Rock and what may have woken them up.

Now you can't go talking about political awareness in rock music without mentioning the mighty Megadeth!

Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?
Holy Wars
Forclosure of a Dream
The System Has Failed
And now they got "Endgame" Which I'm sure Alex Jones is still creaming his jeans over lol

IMO they've always been one of the most politically charged bands ever.

Nothin' better than old-school metal!

reply to post by Prof. Skrewloose


Interesting. A lot of people are mentioning the "Old School" bands. Megadeth is still releasing socially relvant music ...

But what about new bands? Are they more inclined to toe the line? If so, then I think it's a worrying trend.

Well to be honest I just can't get into alot of new music/bands. Its probably just one of my many personal flaws...but I find so much music coming out now to just be totally mind numbing! Especially the more popular (and over-engineered) bands coming out.

And what passes for "metal" nowdays is just utter tripe!

Being a guitarist myself I also find the music lacks the dynamics and SKILL of older musicians. But I also haven't been listening to ALOT of newer bands. Cause frankly they seem to all sound the same.

Megadeth, Maiden, Nevermore, and Iced Earth seem to be some of the only "popular" bands who actually "keep it real!" So to speak!

But thats just one douche-bag's opinion! No one has to agree!

reply to post by Prof. Skrewloose


Music taste is very intensely personal (and in some cases religious ) but I do think a lot of the newer bands have a lot to offer in terms of innovation and message.

To think otherwise would mean Rock is Dead ... and that is not something I can easily digest.

reply to post by pazcat


I am enjoying the new Muse album ... I do think they over-engineer their music a little, but at least they are sounding unique!
A talented bunch of people as well.

Good thread indeed. I'm hoping some of you have heard of this band, but if not, then I hope you will be inclined to check 'em out. I first heard them in 1997 when they opened up for Pantera in Dallas on The Great Southern Trendkill Tour.
The band in question: CLUTCH

Clutch - Escape From The Prison Planet

Then against my better judgment I went walking out that door.
I smiled at one person then I nodded to three more.
One man asked me for a dollar, I asked him, "What's it for?
"He said, "I have seen them." I said, "O.K., it's yours."
And as featured on the MTV, the local high school lets out,And the town becomes anarchy.
Parties are crashed, skid marks are measured.
The story's in the paper, you may read it at your leisure.
Get out.
Eject.
Escape From the Prison Planet.
Get out.
Eject.
Escape From the Prison Planet.
And to the tune of a billion dollars, I supplied to the D.O.E.
Some tasty little nuggets of alien technology.
And as one might expect, I've been harassed for years.
The Men In Black have been bending my ear.
As a matter of fact, they were just here today,But I escaped them through a secret passageway.
Once I lived there for one thousand days.
Get out.
Eject.
Escape From the Prison Planet.
Get out.
Eject.
Escape From the Prison Planet.
I have plans for the future, guess they're futuristic plans.
Move out west and buy some desert lands.
Maybe up North, just past Alaska.
You know nothing of this if they ask you.
Red Rover, Red Rover, Bob Lazar's coming over.
So honey clear the airstrip and light up that stove.
By Jove, I think it's started.
Oh yeah,Escape From the Prison Planet.
Billion people harvest on Mars.
Rebuild the remnants of the obelisk, One mile from the pyramid.
Escape From the Planet of the Apes. Go forth, ad infinitum.
Return the relics to the Elephant. And Atlantis rises.
Get out.
Eject.
Escape From the Prison Planet.
Ejector seat ignite.
Billion people harvest on Mars.
Rebuild the remnants of the obelisk, One mile from the pyramid.
Escape From the Planet of the Apes. Go forth, ad infinitum.
Return the relics to the Elephant. And Atlantis rises.

Posting More ...

reply to post by Detailed Perfection


I do like those lyrics ... sounds like the write could be any one of us. By all means post more - did they waken you to conpiracy theory, or were you already a convert?

Dethkloks new album / Muse's's's new album both are very doom / nwo heavy

Band: Hurt

Song: Wars

Show me a smile on your silly face
'Cause I'm getting tired of this human race,
My darling...

The eyes of a child as I went away,
And how many heroes have we killed today?
I can fly higher than an aeroplane
And I have the voice of a thousand hurricanes
My darling...

Men of destruction reap iniquity
When heroes of courage die with dignity
How many weapons did I help create?
How many lives will I devestate?
My darling...

I think of all the days in my life
Where I could have done something more
Yes I remember the days in my life
Where I could have done something more
There is never a day that goes by,

That's a good day to die
Just open your eyes to the millions of lives,
That will selflessly die in our wars

I think of all the days in my life
Where I could have done something more
Ya I remember the days in my life
Where I should have done something more
I think of all the days in my life
Where I could have done something more
Yes I remember the days in my life
Where I should have done something more
There was never a day that goes by
That's a good day to die
Please open your eyes, oh
There was never a day that went by
That's a good day to die
Won't you please close your eyes?
For the millions of lives...
Who have senselessly died in a war?

Band: Avenged Sevenfold

Song: Critical Acclaim

**Warning** - Language

Shhh, quiet; you might piss somebody off
Like me motherf***er you've been at it for too long
While you feed off others' insecurities
You stand in front of me and bite the hand that feeds

Self-righteousness is wearing thin
(Lies inside your head, your best friend)
Heart bleeds but not for fellow men
(Broken glass, your fake reflection)

I've had enough
It's time for something real
I don't respect the words you're speaking
Gone too far
A clone

So how does it feel to know that someone's kid
in the heart of America has blood on their hands
fighting to defend your rights
so you can maintain a lifestyle
that insults his very existence?
Well, where I'm from we have a special
salute that we aim high in the air
towards all those pompous a**holes
who spend their days pointing fingers
(F**k You)

Shhh… quiet you might piss somebody off
Like the heartbeat of this country when antagonized too long
I'll be damned if you count me in as part of your generous hypocrisy
collecting enemies

Tabloid gossip queen worthless man
(There's no need for us to bury you)
Selfish agenda once again
(Right this way you've dug your own grave)

I've had enough
It's time for something real
I don't respect the words you're speaking
Gone too far
A clone

All the way from the east to the west we
got this high society
looking down on their very foundation
constantly reminding us that our actions
are the cause of all their problems.
Pointing their fingers in every
direction and blaming their
own nation for who wins the elections
They've never contributed a f**king thing to the
country they love to criticize

Excuse the obscene, ignore the untrue
Depictions we see try and get through
Admitting mistakes can hurt
I'm not the last but I sure ain't the first

Shhh… quiet you might piss somebody off

Self-righteousness is wearing thin
(Lies inside your head your best friend)
Heart bleeds but not for fellow men
(Broken glass your fake reflection)

I've had enough
It's time for something real
I don't respect the words you're speaking
Gone too far
A clone

[edit on 11/5/2009 by Lemon.Fresh]

Clutch - Animal Farm

Listen up you stinking maggots, it seems you just don't get it.
Well I've been appointed to inform you, your days are numbered.
You would cry, you would scream
If you knew half the things I see.
Please, please just do as I say,
Repent and leave your evil ways.
Meanwhile....planes drop from the sky,
People disappear and bullets fly.
Little grey men are coming our way,
(Tastes just like chicken, they say.)
Actually they're all around.
Secret bunkers underground.
Round 'em up, skin 'em alive,
Rolling, rolling, rolling, rawhide.
Carter is a clone.
Dozen brothers 'round the globe.
MJ-12 damned us to hell.
Scroll & Key, Skull & Bone.
It's only just begun.T
he best is yet to come.
Area 51,
The spawn of Babylon.
Couldn't give a damn about "J.F.K.",
Everything's conspiracy.
Wouldn't be surprised if they have their way
(Tastes just like chicken, they say.)
I know it's hard to swallow.
It must sound too far fetched.
But you can bet your bottom dollar I ain't going like the rest.



Clutch Website

reply to post by deltaalphanovember


They didn't awaken me or enlighten me to Conspiracy, but their music and lyrics deffinately drew me in as a fan based on what I had already known.

They've been around since 1990, but like I said, I first heard them in 1997.