U2, Guns N' Roses, The Clash - The 20 Greatest Protest Songs
Raging against the machine...
9. Edwin Starr: 'War' – One of the most popular protest songs ever committed to plastic, the 1970 Motown smash hit is buoyed by the chorus “"War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothin'!” and attacks the Vietnam War with general distaste and venom. Praised by that other great anti-war song writer John Lennon, the track shot straight to number one in the Billboard charts upon release and was duly adopted by the anti-Vietnam War movement in the early 1970s. " />
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9. Edwin Starr: 'War' – One of the most popular protest songs ever committed to plastic, the 1970 Motown smash hit is buoyed by the chorus “"War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothin'!” and attacks the Vietnam War with general distaste and venom. Praised by that other great anti-war song writer John Lennon, the track shot straight to number one in the Billboard charts upon release and was duly adopted by the anti-Vietnam War movement in the early 1970s.
To mark May Day on Monday – a date synonymous with public demonstrations – we're counting down the 20 greatest protest songs of all time.
From Marvin Gaye's soul classic 'What's Going On?' to Billie Holiday's 'Strange Fruit', we present 20 anthems that rage against racism, war, society and, of course, the machine.
Other acts included are The Beatles, John Lennon, Guns N' Roses, Kate Bush, Black Sabbath, U2, Rage Against The Machine, The Rolling Stones and Neil Young.
Check out the full top 20 below:
May Day Special: The 20 Greatest Protest Songs
