U2, Guns N' Roses, The Clash - The 20 Greatest Protest Songs
Raging against the machine...
1. Marvin Gaye: 'What's Going On?' - Not just the greatest protest song, Marvin Gaye's 1971 classic is one of the greatest songs ever written. Co-songwriter Obie Benson initially started writing 'What's Going On?' after witnessing anti-war protesters being beaten by cops hence the “picket lines and picket signs, don't punish me with brutality” lyrics. However with Al Cleveland and Gaye's input it became an anthem meditating on the troubles of the world as a whole and, given the context of the release date, the Vietnam War. Gorgeous musically, Gaye sounds concerned with the bleak subject matter, yet somehow there is also a glimmer of hope in his voice. Considering the current world climate, 'What's Going On?' is as relevant as ever today. " />-
1. Marvin Gaye: 'What's Going On?' - Not just the greatest protest song, Marvin Gaye's 1971 classic is one of the greatest songs ever written. Co-songwriter Obie Benson initially started writing 'What's Going On?' after witnessing anti-war protesters being beaten by cops hence the “picket lines and picket signs, don't punish me with brutality” lyrics. However with Al Cleveland and Gaye's input it became an anthem meditating on the troubles of the world as a whole and, given the context of the release date, the Vietnam War. Gorgeous musically, Gaye sounds concerned with the bleak subject matter, yet somehow there is also a glimmer of hope in his voice. Considering the current world climate, 'What's Going On?' is as relevant as ever today.
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
