“Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2 was playing on the radio. The song was released in 1983 and describes the horror felt by an observer of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, mainly focusing on the 1972 Bloody Sunday incident where British troops shot and killed unarmed civil rights protesters.
Are there other songs with a social or political message, about more recent historical events (2000s, 2010s, 2020s)? There are many about the 9/11 attacks.
Below are some examples I know about:
-
“Where Is the Love?” by The Black Eyed Peas - Released in 2003, this song addresses various social issues, including terrorism, war, racism, and discrimination, reflecting on the state of the world post-9/11.
-
“American Idiot” by Green Day - Released in 2004, this song is a commentary on American politics and society during the presidency of George W. Bush, particularly criticizing the media and consumer culture.
-
“B.Y.O.B.” by System of a Down - Released in 2005, this song addresses the Iraq War and critiques the hypocrisy of war and violence.
The only song coming to my mind right now…
Billy Joel - We Didn’t Start The Fire
Though that song came out a bit earlier than the timeframe you ask, that song is still just as valid today, and also has many updated covers following the same historical spirit of the original.
The fallout boys did an updated version of we didn’t start the fire. 1989-2023
“Megalomaniac” Incubus
“Empty Walls” Serj Tankian
Basically every Rage Against the Machine song.
In 2020, country artist Tyler Childers released Long Violent History, an album composed of entirely instrumental songs except for the last song, the title track, which is unambiguously pro-Black Lives Matter.
I listened to Blue Scholars a lot back in high school. They have a lot of political messages in their songs in the 2000-2010 era.
I like “system” :
