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1. “Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead” – The Wizard of Oz Cast
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When Margaret Thatcher died in 2013, a wave of both grief and celebration swept the UK. Out of nowhere, “Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead” from The Wizard of Oz shot up the British charts. Activists used the song as a protest anthem, buying and streaming it en masse to express their anger at Thatcher’s legacy. The song reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, and the BBC made headlines for debating whether to play it in full. While the song didn’t bring Thatcher down directly—she had left office decades earlier—it became a cultural weapon that reignited debates about her leadership and the policies that defined her time as Prime Minister. The backlash was so significant that even after her passing, her reputation seemed to take another hit.
2. “Sunday Bloody Sunday” – U2
U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday” became an anthem for anti-violence in Northern Ireland. Released in 1983, the song directly references the 1972 massacre in Derry, where British soldiers killed unarmed protesters. The lyrics were so powerful that they made politicians squirm, putting immense pressure on the UK government. According to interviews with Bono, the band received threats, but the song gave the public a voice and exposed international audiences to the Troubles. The negative attention forced leaders to address the violence, and some historians believe it helped push British authorities to reconsider their approach in Northern Ireland.
3. “Do You Hear the People Sing?” – Cast of Les Misérables
During the 2014 Hong Kong protests, “Do You Hear the People Sing?” became the unofficial anthem of the pro-democracy movement. Demonstrators sang it in the streets, demanding the resignation of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying. The government’s response was swift—police cracked down, and authorities tried to ban the song at public events. Nevertheless, the anthem’s emotional power made it impossible to silence. International media picked up on the story, and Leung’s approval ratings plummeted. Within two years, Leung announced he would not seek re-election, and many saw the anthem as a symbol of his political downfall.
4. “Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)” – Pink Floyd
South Africa’s apartheid regime banned Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)” in 1980 after black students adopted it as a protest song. The chorus, “We don’t need no education,” became a rallying cry against the government’s racist policies in schools. The regime responded by censoring the song, but it was too late; it had already energized the youth and made international headlines about the injustices in South Africa. The song’s impact was so significant that it is still cited in histories of the anti-apartheid movement as a catalyst for resistance.
5. “Wind of Change” – Scorpions
Released in 1990, “Wind of Change” by Scorpions is widely credited with capturing the spirit of revolution in Eastern Europe. The ballad became an anthem for demonstrators in East Germany, the Soviet Union, and beyond. At rallies and protests, crowds sang the song as a call for freedom. Mikhail Gorbachev himself acknowledged the cultural power of Western music in weakening Soviet control. As governments toppled across the region, the song was played on state radio, symbolizing the end of the Cold War and the collapse of communist regimes.
6. “FDT (F*** Donald Trump)” – YG & Nipsey Hussle
During the 2016 and 2020 U.S. election cycles, “FDT” by YG and Nipsey Hussle became a protest staple at rallies and marches against Donald Trump. The explicit lyrics called for Trump’s removal, and the song was blasted from car windows and over loudspeakers at protests nationwide. According to Billboard, streams of the song surged every time Trump made controversial statements. The song’s viral popularity boosted voter turnout among younger demographics, and some analysts believe it contributed to shifting public opinion, especially among communities of color.
7. “Zombie” – The Cranberries
Written in response to the 1993 IRA bombing in Warrington, “Zombie” by The Cranberries became a protest anthem across Ireland and the UK. The haunting lyrics and raw emotion in Dolores O’Riordan’s voice turned attention to the senseless violence plaguing the region. The song’s popularity embarrassed political leaders who had downplayed the conflict. According to Rolling Stone, “Zombie” forced politicians to answer tough questions about the ongoing violence, and it’s still remembered as a song that held leaders accountable for inaction.
8. “Alright” – Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” became the soundtrack of the Black Lives Matter movement in the U.S. after it was released in 2015. Protesters sang its chorus at marches, especially after police killings of unarmed Black Americans. The New York Times reported that politicians and law enforcement felt the pressure as the song’s message of hope and defiance spread nationwide. The energy behind “Alright” led to public debates, with some officials even labeling it a “threat.” Ultimately, the song helped force a national conversation on police violence and accountability, pushing local leaders to resign or change policies.
9. “Y’en a Marre” – Y’en a Marre Collective
In Senegal, the activist rap collective Y’en a Marre (French for “Fed Up”) released a series of songs aimed at corrupt politicians and social injustice. Their 2011 track “Faux! Pas Forcé” targeted President Abdoulaye Wade’s attempts to extend his rule. The music inspired widespread youth protests, and as Reuters reported at the time, the pressure forced Wade to back down. The group’s anthems are credited with helping bring about peaceful regime change in Senegal, making music a direct catalyst for political transformation.
10. “Beds Are Burning” – Midnight Oil
Australian rock band Midnight Oil’s “Beds Are Burning” highlighted indigenous land rights and government inaction. When the band played the song at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, it sent a message to the world—and embarrassed the Australian government. According to the BBC, the song’s popularity forced politicians to address indigenous issues in parliament. The public pressure led to a national apology and policy changes. The song is still played at rallies and is considered a key influence in reshaping Australia’s political landscape regarding indigenous rights.
11. “Génération Sacrifiée” – Tiken Jah Fakoly
Tiken Jah Fakoly’s “Génération Sacrifiée” became a rallying cry for West African youth in the early 2000s. The reggae anthem criticized political corruption and the exploitation of young people. According to France24, the song inspired protests in Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, focusing anger on leaders who refused to step down. The unrest fueled by Fakoly’s music contributed to the resignation of multiple government officials and energized a new wave of political activism across the region.
12. “Imagine” – John Lennon
John Lennon’s “Imagine” was banned in some countries for its anti-war and anti-religion themes. However, during the 1970s, anti-war protesters in the U.S. and around the world sang the song at rallies, including those against President Richard Nixon’s Vietnam War policies. According to The Guardian, the song’s popularity made it harder for Nixon to justify ongoing military actions. The continued anti-war pressure, with “Imagine” as its anthem, played a role in Nixon’s plummeting approval ratings and his eventual resignation in 1974.
13. “El Pueblo Unido Jamás Será Vencido” – Quilapayún
This Chilean protest song, which means “The people united will never be defeated,” was adopted by demonstrators against Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship. The anthem became a staple at rallies and was even sung by exiled Chileans around the world. According to NPR, its constant use at protests forced Pinochet’s regime to take drastic measures, including censoring music and arresting musicians. The international attention brought by the song played a part in isolating Pinochet and hastening the return to democracy in Chile.
14. “Fight the Power” – Public Enemy
Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” debuted in 1989 and became an anthem for civil rights protests in the U.S. The song’s direct call-out of political leaders and institutions made it controversial, with some cities attempting to ban it from radio. According to Rolling Stone, the anthem was used in major protests, including those against then-New York Mayor Ed Koch. The song’s influence fueled public anger and mobilized voters, contributing to Koch’s defeat in the next mayoral election.
15. “Not Ready to Make Nice” – Dixie Chicks (now The Chicks)
After criticizing President George W. Bush and the Iraq War in 2003, the Dixie Chicks faced severe backlash. Their song “Not Ready to Make Nice” directly addressed the controversy and became a symbol of resistance. The song’s popularity reignited criticism of Bush’s policies and emboldened other artists to speak out. According to Billboard, the controversy and the song’s message contributed to a shift in public opinion, putting pressure on the Bush administration as approval ratings dropped.
16. “Freedom” – Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar
Beyoncé’s “Freedom,” featuring Kendrick Lamar, became a protest anthem during the 2016 Black Lives Matter movement. The song was performed at the BET Awards and at rallies, sending a bold message to political leaders. According to CNN, the performance prompted public officials to comment on systemic racism and police brutality. The anthem’s emotional impact fueled protests that led to resignations and policy changes in several U.S. cities as leaders struggled to respond to the movement’s demands.
17. “A Change Is Gonna Come” – Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” helped fuel the American Civil Rights Movement. The song, released in 1964, was played at rallies and marches, including those led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. According to Smithsonian Magazine, the song’s hopeful message gave energy to activists and put pressure on political leaders. The emotional power of the song is credited with hastening the passage of the Civil Rights Act and forcing officials who opposed equality to rethink their positions.
18. “Prison Song” – System of a Down
System of a Down’s “Prison Song” directly attacks the U.S. government’s prison policies and the war on drugs. Released in 2001, the song’s aggressive lyrics and statistics about incarceration rates caught the attention of activists and politicians. According to Billboard, the song was used at rallies demanding reform, and lawmakers cited public pressure as a reason to reconsider harsh sentencing laws. The track’s popularity forced conversations that led to some leaders losing support for their tough-on-crime stances.
19. “Formation” – Beyoncé
“Formation” by Beyoncé debuted in 2016 and immediately caused a political firestorm, especially after her Super Bowl halftime performance. The song’s references to police brutality and black pride sparked backlash from politicians and police unions. According to The Washington Post, the controversy forced local leaders to address accusations of racism and police violence. The anthem’s influence was felt as several police chiefs and city officials faced resignations or public censure.
20. “Bella Ciao” – Italian Partisans / Various Artists
“Bella Ciao” started as an Italian anti-fascist song, but in recent years it has been adopted by protest movements worldwide. In Italy, it was sung to challenge Mussolini’s regime, and in the 21st century, it reappeared at rallies against corrupt politicians in Brazil, Turkey, and Lebanon. According to Al Jazeera, the song’s global popularity forced leaders to confront accusations of authoritarianism. The repeated association with mass protests has embarrassed and destabilized leaders unwilling to heed public demands.
End.
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
