"Born in the U.S.A.", Bruce Springsteen, 1984
Not to get political, but as this is all about protest songs, I believe it's fair. In one of the clearest examples possible that at least some members of the far right don't exactly comprehend what they hear, the Boss's anthem has been co-opted as a flag-waving song of patriotism.
Much like "Fight the Power," Springsteen's song was written for a film, in this case in 1981, although that part of it fell through. It was eventually released as the title track of the 1984 album.
I'm not sure how lyrics talking about getting beaten like a dog until all you can do is cover up convey patriotism. Or how a song about a veteran who can't get a job after returning from Vietnam and winds up in prison makes the listener's stars and stripes shirt swell every Fourth of July. That's what happens when dolts only hear the chorus. Bruce should have kept the working title, "Vietnam Blues."
"The World is a Ghetto", War, 1972
This one doesn't crop up in many lists of protest songs, and I have no idea why. The group itself has never referred to it as a protest song, true enough. But I don't know how else to regard a song that speaks of wandering in the streets and searching for a home anywhere.
Or wondering if happiness can ever truly be found. That's some existential-level protest there. It's like listening to Kierkegaard and Spinoza debate backed by an impeccable Latin-funk track.
As so many bands do, War went through several iterations. Formed in 1962 as the Creators, they morphed into Nightshift in 1968. Canadian singer Eric Burdon of the Animals joined the group in 1969 and formed Eric Burdon and War. Catchy name.
Their first few albums did well commercially, but by 1971, Burdon was gone. The 1971 album All Day Music was their first major hit, including the single "Slippin' Into Darkness." They followed with 1972's top-selling album, The World is a Ghetto. Sadly, it still is.
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