10 Best Protest Songs Of All Time - Rolling Stone Magazine.

Dylan could have filled the top ten on his own. Rolling Stone are just giving other songwriters a chance.

Dave

I agree Dave but overall I think there were some good choices.

It was a slightly tongue-in-cheek post.

Dave

Always loved Barry McGuire's Eve Of Destruction FWIW 

I do too. Also 'For What It's Worth". 

I agreed with you Steve!

One of the most moving anti-war songs I've heard recently is Mary Black's 'All the Fine Young Men' on her 'Songs From the Steeples' album.

Jackson Browne's "Lives in the Balance", from the album of the same name.

There are lives in the balance

There are people under fire

There are children at the cannons

And there is blood on the wire.

Dave

+1 Tony 'All the Fine Young Men' 

"When the call comes again they will not answer
They're just forgotten bones lying far from their homes
As forgotten as the cause for which they died
Ah young men, can you see now why they lied?"

Try listening to 'The Band Played Waltzing Matilda' from June Tabor's 'Airs and Graces' album. It's very powerful stuff. 

Dylan would have a few in my top 10 but also

Tim Rose with Come Away Melinda:

"Daddy daddy come and see

Oh daddy come and look

There's four or five Melinda girl

Inside this picture book

Come away Melinda

Come in and close the door

There were lots of little girls like you

Before they had the war"

Richard

I was just going to say the same thing.  The final few lines of that song, with its dramatic last note, just sends chills up your spine.

Yeah I love the way the song, his vocals and tension builds.

It always brings a lump in my throat ever since I first heard it way back in the late 60s sometime.

Richard

Brings back distant memories of the first hearing of 'War Pigs' by BS....

and many listenings since....

While it's not a protest song in the traditional sense it's one in a modern sense. Sacrificed sons from the album Octavarium by Dream Theater........, adressing those guilty of 9/11.

Whilst I really love the Tim Rose version, it was only recently that I realise he didn't write it. It was composed by Fred Hellerman and Fran Minkoff and has been recorded by many artists including Judy Collins, Harry Belafonte and Bobbie Gentry. I particularly like the Uriah Heep version on Very 'Eavy Very 'Umble as an alternative to the Tim Rose version. 

+1

one of my fave bands...seen many times, Byron had some good moments....between drinks...

Originally posted by Hungryhalibut:

"Try listening to 'The Band Played Waltzing Matilda' from June Tabor's 'Airs and Graces' album. It's very powerful stuff". 

An incredibly moving song which was written by Eric Bogle, a Scots singer/songwriter who has been based in Australia for many years. His version is good, but I agree that June Tabor's is the most atmospheric.  

Eric Bogle also wrote the equally poignant ant- war song "No Mans Land" (often known as "The Green Fields of France"). This song has similarly been covered by many others. 

Eric Bogle also wrote a more tongue in cheek swipe at the pro-gun lobby in the US called "Keeper of the Flame". Worth while checking this one out unless you are a member of the pro-gun lobby, in which case you may find it particularly offensive.

Another fine song by Eric Bogle is 'My Youngest Son Came Home Today', which was sung brilliantly by Billy Bragg.

Yep, I think Harry Belafonte did it very early on. I also like the Uriah Heep version but it is Tm's version that has that extra something.

A bit like "Morning Dew" written by Bonnie Dobson with a famous version by The Grateful Dead but once  again Tim's version just nails it for me and makes it his.

Tim could also write great songs like "Long Time Man"

Sorry for going off thread.

Richard

Seems like there'd be a place for John Lennon on the list. Candidates include Revolution, Give Peace A Chance, Happy Xmas (War Is Over), Power To The People, Bring On The Lucy, and despite it's upbeat melodic tone, Imagine.

It might be a bit low key but I think John Prine's "Sam Stone" deserves a mention.

or possibly John Prine's "Your flag decal won't get you into heaven anymore" from the same album.

Light-hearted, but to the point.

Terribly English I know, but I do like 'Ideologies' by Billy Bragg...

the best Protest Song ever written

...in English.