# Best and Worst Political Songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 15, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097 "2008-10-15T21:52:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/21 "2008-10-16T00:28:24Z")
**The Triumph of General Ludd:** \*No more chant your old rhymes about old Robin Hood His feats I do little admire I’ll sing the achievements of General Ludd Now the hero of Nottingham Shire Those engines of mischief were sentenced to die By unanimous vote of the trade And Ludd who cannot a position defy Was the grand executioner made Whether guarded by soldiers along the highway Or closely secured in a room He shivers them up by night and by day And nothing can soften their doom Shall the whole team of humble no longer oppressed And shall Ludd sheath his conquering sword Be his grievance instantly met with redress Than peace shall be quickly restored Let the wise and the great lend their aid and advice Never ere their assistance withdraw Till full-fashioned work at the old-fashioned price Is established by custom and law \* Makes me want to go out and smash a loom right now, it does … . ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/22 "2008-10-16T00:31:42Z")
And [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaI5IRuS2aE)is one of the best of all time. ---
**Author:** ![H3Knuckles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ba8739/32.png) [@H3Knuckles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/H3Knuckles)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/23 "2008-10-16T00:36:22Z")
Hmm, best would be hard, but here’s a candidate for worst: **Cool, Cool, Considerate Men** from 1776. Here’s an excerpt from the lyrics. "Come ye cool cool conservative men The likes of which may never be seen again We have land, cash in hand Self-command, future planned Fortune flies, society survives In neatly ordered lives with well-endowered wives We sing hosanna, hosanna To our breeding and our banner We are cool Come ye cool cool considerate set We’ll dance together to the same minuet To the right, ever to the right Never to the left, forever to the right May our creed be never to exceed Regulated speed, no matter what the need" ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/24 "2008-10-16T00:39:33Z")
How about the entire Pink Floyd album _Animals_? ---
**Author:** ![Euryphaessa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Euryphaessa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euryphaessa)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/25 "2008-10-16T00:51:01Z")
I like _World Wide Suicide_ by Pearl Jam. _Undone_ is also good. ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/26 "2008-10-16T02:16:49Z")
Dixie Chicks - Not ready to play nice Isley Brothers - Harvest for the world ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/27 "2008-10-16T02:44:04Z")
[I guess this one’s sorta political](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNMVMNmrqJE). As well as one of the most chilling scenes in cinema history. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/28 "2008-10-16T03:09:03Z")
Oh heck, you’re so right about chilling. ☹ I mean I know it is intended to be, but I always thought I was just being sort of silly to let it be so, well, scary. Right, to avoid nightmares, I’ll just go back to singing the Internationale Hamish Henderson’s [Freedom Come All Ye"](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Come-All-Ye) Robert Burns’ "A Man’s a Man for A’ That (Well nobody said they had to be NEW songs. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/29 "2008-10-16T03:54:30Z")
Best: Christy Moore’s rendition of John Maguire’s [Hey Ronnie Reagan](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQpTnUAgA5E) Worst (by design): [Protest Song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfTlGMCeuDE) by Neil Innes ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/30 "2008-10-16T04:19:50Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Three currently residing on my Ipod: > > Phil Ochs’ “Love Me, I’m A Liberal” _“but I’ve grown older and wiser and that’s why I’m turning you in…”_ 😃 Best: Up to the Mountain (MLK Song) - Patty Griffin Times (They are ‘a Changin’) and Ballad of a Thin Man - Bob Dylan Revolution - The Beatles Worst: Woman is the Ni\*\*er of the World - Plastic Ono Band ---
**Author:** ![sleestak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/31 "2008-10-16T04:30:20Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > You just reminded me Sinead O’Connor’s Famine is one of the most unintentionally most hilarious songs ever written. I just googled that video. My God, that is bad. Slee ---
**Author:** ![Levolor\_the\_Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc8723/32.png) [@Levolor\_the\_Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Levolor_the_Blind)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/32 "2008-10-16T04:36:02Z")
For the best: [Born in the USA](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRfEqqsk_To) [Future’s so Bright (I Gotta Wear Shades)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvIAyxpjEuc) [U.S.O.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSvYph09JKI) and finally [Christianity is Stupid](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDfrrgqy_Eo) ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/33 "2008-10-16T05:24:18Z")
Some favorites: Dixie Chicks - “Not Ready To Make Nice” Peter Gabriel - “Biko” [This one, currently](http://myspace.com/waking_up_after_the_sleep) :): > [@](#): > > We’re waking up > Yes it’s good > We’re waking up > Like I knew we would > > There’s a breath of hope > For everyone to share > There’s a growing force > Of people who care > > In all the years of struggle > It seems we’re making way > I have never been afraid to > Change the circumstances > Of the world > > Cobwebs everywhere > It’s time for a deep sweep > > We’re waking up > Yes it’s clear > We’re waking up > Dawn is here > > Feel the searing heat of > Heightened consciousness > Feel the yearning for > Peace and happiness > > … > [@sleestak](#): > > I just googled that video. > > My God, that is bad. Damn, I love that song but the album version isn’t up on YouTube. The YouTube versions are some sort of lame, softened re-mix. The album version kicks ass (as does that whole album, Universal Mother, her very best album, IMO). Beyond the music though, what’s wrong with the song? I think it’s very moving and it gives me goosebump chills every time I hear it. Sigh, the album version, anyway. God, what did they do to ruin that amazing song?? ---
**Author:** ![Millit\_the\_Frail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Millit\_the\_Frail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Millit_the_Frail)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/34 "2008-10-16T05:28:12Z")
“Jimmy Carter Says Yes” by W.E. Walls Jr. (If anyone else knows what the heck I’m referring to, I salute you, and you rock. A LOT.) ---
**Author:** ![straight\_man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/straight_man/32/3027_2.png) [@straight\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/straight_man)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/35 "2008-10-16T06:47:07Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > I will say the worst AND most overrated is John Lennon’s (yes, I’m ready for the pile-on) “Imagine”. Musically, it’s beautiful. Lyrically- bleh! It’s okay – basically any religious person, or really anybody with any real beliefs about anything, _ought_ to hate that song. I know I do. ---
**Author:** ![BigBertha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BigBertha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigBertha)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/36 "2008-10-16T07:02:13Z")
I can only think of good ones, heres three Give Ireland Back to the Irish…Paul Mccartney Ohio…Neil Young Bonzo Goes to Bitburg…Ramones ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/37 "2008-10-16T07:12:22Z")
‘Something in the air’ Thunderclap Newman [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pGht71KFkY) ‘Bury my heart at wounded knee’ Buffy Saint Marie [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/eTmvrHoyMZ8/hqdefault.jpg "Buffy Sainte Marie - "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTmvrHoyMZ8) ‘Donna Donna’ Joan Baez This became a teme tune for the collapse of communism in Cezechslovakia and the subesquent Velvet Revolution - ots actually much older than that though, and has been used by policital activists, particularly students. ‘Where have all the flowers gone’ This has been done so many times folk forget it was a Pete Seeger composition. ‘Whose side are you on boys?’ another Pete Seeger - actually theres going to be rather a lot of political stuff from Pete - the Billy Bragg version is pretty good. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5iAIM02kv0g/hqdefault.jpg "pete seeger which side are you on") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iAIM02kv0g) [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yylvib5oW4c) ‘We work the black seam’ Sting [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iRc3u0mzSOI/hqdefault.jpg "Sting-We Work The Black Seam Together-Live") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRc3u0mzSOI) ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/38 "2008-10-16T07:14:29Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > My nominee for best would be Shipbuilding as done by Elvis Costello or Robert Wyatt. > > My nominee for worst would be The Luck Of The Irish by John Lennon with Yoko Ono. I’m not sure it was a political song ,but it sure sounded like it. Billy Joels Allentown. Declan ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/39 "2008-10-16T07:54:33Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > Some favorites: > > Dixie Chicks - “Not Ready To Make Nice” > > Peter Gabriel - “Biko” seconded Also: The Christians: Hooverville & Forgotten Town Billy Bragg: There is Power In a Union, Price of Oil, Help Save The Youth of America Madness: Ghost Train ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097/40 "2008-10-16T12:32:31Z")
Tom Paxton has a slew of very good ones, including Talking Vietnam Potluck Blues, Talking Watergate Blues and my all time favorite Born on the Fourth of July. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-political-songs/468097.md?page=3)