A truth that transcends artists, genres and decades is that music and politics are inseparably linked. For many, creating music is a way to speak out against injustice in the world. This week’s 13 Beats moves from the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and London’s punk scene in the mid-1970s to today’s ICE protests. Here is a playlist to fuel your next march, or to offer hope in uncertain times.
1. “A Change is Gonna Come” – Sam Cooke (1964)
Cooke’s song became a defining anthem of the Civil Rights Movement. After being turned away from a whites-only motel in Louisiana, he channeled his anger into heartfelt lyrics calling for an end to discrimination. Drawing on powerful emotions of sorrow and hope, Cooke wrote a song that captured a moment in time and continues to inspire future generations.
2. “Big Yellow Taxi” – Joni Mitchell (1970)
On her first trip to Hawaii, Mitchell looked out her window and saw beautiful green mountains. But when her eyes landed on the vast parking lot — a blight on paradise — her heart broke. The poignant line “Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone,” captures the heartbreak of realizing the value of something only after it is lost.
3. Ohio – Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young (1971)
Young wrote “Ohio” in response to the May 4, 1970, Kent State shooting, when National Guardsmen killed four student protesters. The song quickly became a defining anthem of the anti-war movement. A churning guitar riff and stirring lyrics like “What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground” channel the anguish of that tragedy.
4. Hurricane – Bob Dylan (1975)
After the wrongful murder conviction of the boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, Dylan released “Hurricane,” a song exposing the racism at the heart of the judicial system. The eight-minute folk-rock track drew national attention to the case and helped secure a new trial, ultimately leading to Carter’s freedom. Dylan’s storytelling, paired with Scarlet Rivera’s violin, creates a powerful and masterful track.
5. Zombie – Fela Kuti (1976)
When Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti released “Zombie,” it sparked a fierce response from the military. Kuti used the metaphor of zombies to criticize the Nigerian government and armed forces. The music infuriated state authorities, who retaliated by burning his compound to the ground — a stark reminder of both music’s power and the risks that can come with it. Today, Kuti’s spirit of provocative resistance lives on through performances by his two sons and Beyoncé’s 2018 Coachella concert.
6. God Save the Queen – Sex Pistols (1977)
When “God Save the Queen” was released, it provoked immediate controversy. The Sex Pistols used the song’s lyrics and cover of Queen Elizabeth II’s defacement to challenge and express their view of the monarchy, leading to the BBC’s refusal to play it. A classic example of punk protest, the track cemented the band’s place as enduring icons.
7. Guns of Brixton – The Clash (1979)
In a catalog full of incendiary songs, “Guns of Brixton” stands out as one of The Clash’s best. The track portrays young people resisting police brutality in South London. The lyrics warn that systemic neglect and social inequality can erupt into unrest. A reggae-punk classic, it remains one of the defining songs on a legendary album.
8. Feels Blind – Bikini Kill (1994)
Bikini Kill helped ignite the feminist punk explosion of the 1990s. In “Feels Blind,” lead singer Kathleen Hanna describes the misogyny she faced growing up. Through snarling lyrics, the band urged young girls to reject the gender roles forced on them.
9. Renegades of Funk – Rage Against the Machine (2000)
The funked-infused metal track “Renegades of Funk” celebrates the renegades of history, figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X, and calls for a new generation of renegades to defy the status quo and push political evolution.
10. Formation – Beyonce (2016)
Beyoncé’s “Formation” celebrates Southern Black womanhood, urging them to unite and claim financial independence. Over a distinctive, unforgettable beat, Beyoncé delivers sharp rap and lethal one-liners. The song is paired with a striking music video showcasing natural hair, a young Black boy dancing in front of police officers and the words, “Stop shooting us.”
11. Nameless, Faceless – Courtney Barnett (2018)
“Nameless, Faceless” is an indie rock anthem addressing misogyny, online trolling and the daily fear women face regarding safety. The song functions as both a witty attack on misogyny and a poignant reflection on the fear that women face walking alone at night.
12. LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii – Bad Bunny (2025)
Spanish for “What Happened to Hawaii,” the song warns that Puerto Rico risks following a similar path, comparing issues of local displacement and overtourism as a threat to local culture and modern-day colonialism. Bad Bunny sings slowly and intimately over a stripped-back instrumental with sounds heard in San Juan. At times, his vocals cut out, simulating the electrical blackouts the island frequently experiences.
13. Streets of Minneapolis – Bruce Springsteen (2026)
In his chilling “Streets of Minneapolis,” Springsteen speaks out againsts the violence of ICE agents in Minneapolis and applauds the bravery of local protestors. “It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good,” Springsteen writes. It’s a fiery anti-ICE single slamming “King Trump’s private army.”
