Peace of My Heart (Where is the Protest Music of Today?)

Music has always been the great reflection of a society. Through political twists, economical swings and changes in our laws and our outlook, protest songs are as American as it gets. They can be heard back to the beginnings of slavery, when hymns of hope begged for freedom from bondage. Issues moved to the plight of women, working people, victims of segregation and war in Vietnam. Popular music kept pace and often lead the march, providing the inspiration and often even conversion.

Music is our national scrapbook into what we are going through and how we were coping. We sang "Brother Can You Spare a Dime" during The Great Depression and answered with "Happy Days Are Here Again" when the Roosevelt administration turned things around. The 40's brought a slew of patriotic songs to inspire us. The 50's brought rock 'n roll, mirroring the need for American to shed its Father Knows Best image and find its sexuality. The 60's brought Vietnam and music followed. John Lennon's Give Peace a Chance, Bob Dylan's Masters of War, The Rolling Stones Street Fighting Man, Cat Stevens' Peace Train, as well as classics like Blowin' in the Wind, We Shall Overcome and Where Have All the Flowers Gone? were just a few of the countless chart-topping songs that were hummed, sung and chanted in protest by America.

In 1970, Creedence Clearwater came out with Fortunate Son:

Yeah, some folks inherit star spangled eyes.
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord,
And when you ask them, how much should we give,
Oh, they only answer, more, more, more.

While Marvin Gaye sang "What's Going On," most often, the 70's attempted a return to pop innocence, even as it was impossible in the after math of the war, Kent State and the string of assassinations. The 80's, however dismal the music scene seemed (this was the decade in which I started making records), produced Reagan-era protest songs like Sting's Russians with the lyric:

"There's no such thing as a winnable war.
It's a lie that we don't believe anymore."
And "I hope the Russians love their children too."

Bruce Springsteen buried pointed lyrics like "You end up like a dog that's been beat too much, till you spend half your life just covering up," in the pop rhythms of Born in the USA to the degree that Reagan, himself, used the song in his 1984 re-election bid. Songs like Allentown (about Reaganomics) and All She Wants to Do Is Dance (about U.S. involvement with the Contras in Nicaragua) were also hidden in pop-ish tunes. But the point was made. The 90's brought a new kind of protest in songs like Grandmaster Flash's The Message, Prince's Sign O' the Times, and Public Enemy's Fight the Power, which were aimed at "the man," rather than a commentary on government policy or agenda. Gansta rap bred a pop culture focused on showy wealth, aggressive partying and violent conflict. It provided a window into the caste system that poverty stricken citizens were well aware of while white middle class America had successfully averted its glance.

Today, we are living in an era not unlike the 60's. Our country's social fabric has been ripped apart. We are a nation divided. An unpopular war based on lies, deceit and greed rages on. Our president makes Richard Nixon look like John Adams. And the new Republican candidate is stating that we are making progress in Iraq and that we will be there for years and yeas to come. So where's the Bob Dylan of today to sing about the war? Where is the Joan Biaz of today to protest the government's stance on stem cell research? Or gas prices that reek of war profiteering? Did the Dixie Chicks fiasco scare everybody into the fear that there is no power in the voice of music and art. Or is it just apathy?

And which one is worse?

If you listen to today's music, you'd never know anything was wrong in our country. Current music has little to say about anything. Besides some socially conscious hip-hop artists, a few scant songs by known artists like R.E.M.'s 'The Final Straw,' Green Day's Life During Wartime' (both briefly available only online!), Willie Nelson's Whatever Happened to Peace, Patti Smith's Radio Baghdad (12-minute length!!! Not exactly commercial), Lenny Kravitz's (once again online-only) We Want Peace, and a few more accessible songs from Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Ben Harper and Tori Amos - the protest landscape is practically baron.

And today, rarely do any of the songs popular artists brave enough to cut protest tracks actually make mainstream charts. The lion share of what would be considered protest music comes from the more obscure music scene in folk (i.e. Loudon Wainwright III's Presidents' Day), alternative-bluegrass (i.e. the Mammals' The Bush Boys), and progressive-punk (i.e. Decahedron's Not These Homes, an album-length meditation on war and media), but it's not a lot to choose from.

Most of today's top pop music stars are content to peddle innocuous, bland, pointless, provocative for provocative sake, banality - mostly about sex. If there is a message at all, it seems to be: "Give me more, don't think, don't bother, get what you're entitled to for no real effort. Remain complacent. Buy more products. Lying is okay if you don't get caught."

And the sad thing is, there has probably never been a time in American history that pleaded more desperately for protest songs. The crimes of Bush, Cheney and Rumsfield alone could be the inspiration for hundreds of full-length cds.

The best pop/rock music has always been a reflection of society. It has been risk-taking, bold, rebellious and innovative. It has been the extension of our speech; the next level of our consciousness. It has said out loud what people are thinking and talking about at coffee shops, college dorms and water coolers. The true patriotism of being American has spawned music that mattered - the polar opposite of today's sad line-up of Britney, Avril Lavigne, Justin Timberlake (who isn't a dolt and should know better) and their endless clones. Today's pop isn't rebellious or bold. If anything, it goes for shocking rather than content. It embraces the star system. It conflates art, business and entertainment. It cares more about sales than anything else and to make matters worse, it isn't in the least bit guilty about it. If today's music is a mirror of our society (and why should this decade be any different?) it reflects the greed, vapidity, denial, pomposity, entitlement and carelessness of our times.

But I do not and cannot believe that those qualities reside in our souls. I think we are scared and lazy. We are young and daft. We are tired. And, like the current administration, we have trouble admitting our mistakes. However, if given the correct information, I believe we eventually come through, wake up and take action. It's in our American make up - or so I must believe. Just as the young of this country have been lost in futility until they've recently been inspired by intelligent Democratic candidates who have given them the power to matter, I believe that if we provide songs of protest, people will sing them, share them, be inspired by them.

I am not a pop star. I don't have the music platform of a top 40 zillion record seller. I am a guy who's sold a few million cds in various formats since the 80's. My work has mostly been on Broadway, in the concert hall and on television. But in making a new cd, I thought, "What do I want to say?" I am sick of complaining to like-minded people at dinner parties who occasionally march with a sign or write a letter to their congressman.

At first I thought, "it's too late to write this - sing this - put this out." But then I looked around and realized that it is not going away. The case for war is being strengthened with the phrase "we can't pull out now," when a majority of Americans feel that a good waris-interuptus is exactly what we (and the world) needs. But candidates are still appealing to the fear generated by 9/11 and use it like a Pavlovian electric prod. In a nutshell: I'm fed up. And I, unlike Mr. Timberlake, (who is not a dolt and should know better, I repeat) have nothing to lose. I don't care! I am not looking for Grammy. Or a platinum cd. I just want to write and sing of what I know and care about.

I have a new cd coming out in July called Free. The cd is not a protest cd as a whole, but there are several cuts which speak from my anger at this war, this administration, the media and a call for peace, namely in a song called War On War.

I am not waiting for the entire CD to be released to put it out there in this election year. It's out now - as a free MP3 download to whoever wants to hear it or pass it along. And I have started a music video contest to counter the GOP's stance of "staying the course." The contest is open for anyone who wants to express their anger, passion and vision of a world without war by creating a video to my song. Resources for free video creation software, tools, video footage and royalty free photography from war documentarian, active duty Marine Jayel Aheram are provided at WarOnWar.INFO and additional contest information at SamTube.com.

Happily, such is the growing support and popularity for my song and the contest that its launch has spawned artists such as Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead to follow suit with video contests of their own, but War on War remains the only one based on political change by calling for people to contribute to the anti-war movement with their own visual creations. The contest offers over $5,000 in cash and prizes, contributed by such companies as Nokia, Avid, Pinnacle, Logitech, Corel, Cyberlink, Videomaker, The Nation Magazine and more. We are supplying everything needed to create a music video, at no expense to the contestant: The song, royalty free photography, vintage and current event stock footage, and the software to put it all together. Of course the more inventive entries use their own footage and find other components., but basically, people don't even need a video camera or equipment. We currently have entries ranging from a 16 (year old boy) to 60 (year old woman).

All submissions will be posted on YouTube.com for commenting and judging and are due by June 22; winners will be announced July 4, 2008. The judges include industry actors, musicians and writers from the legendary Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) to Frank Langella to Liza Minnelli to Cyndi Lauper to Judith Light to Steven Weber, Bruce Vilanch, Nicole Sullivan, Bridget Moynahan, Victor Garber, Allee Wiillis, David Crane, Jeffrey Klarik, Lizzy Caplan and YouTube stars like Michael Buckley and Lisa Donovan. .
The contest recently started and the videos are starting to fly in! I am so impressed with the entries. While I can't promote any of them myself, I urge you to look at these works of art. Some of them could play on MTV or VH1 right now. The talent and passion is overwhelming. The internet and particularly YouTube is the march of the new millennium. Please check out some of these amazing entries. Join us in protest. Create your vision. Or just pass them around. We are the ones we've been waiting for!

I am sure some of you are going to reply about the numerous important and powerful protest songs of the past century that I didn't mention. Or make note of the ones from today that I didn't talk about. The point is that there is a tremendous dearth of protest and socially reflective music in today's music scene as compared to other similar times in history. I want to do my part to change that. Music is the record of our society, our culture, our lives, our concerns and our memories. Whatever you think of War on War is not important to me. That you think about it at all - or any other songs that speak about what is happening in this beloved country - IS.

Lastly, I have recently been blessed with a son. Not only do I want to leave him a better world - I want him to know that his dad cared enough to speak, to sing, to say his truth and to do what I believe we are all on the planet to do - participate!

Sam Harris is a multi-million selling recording artist, a Tony nominated Broadway star, and recently starred in CBS' The Class. His popular video blogs have become a national phenomenon. He got his break by finishing as Grand Champion on Star Search in its premiere season. The Lifetime Network will produce and be the home of his new talk show, currently titled TheSamShow.

Comments

[querencia]

Sam- if you are following this thread - can you clear something up?

The post made it sound to me like you were inviting people to submit their own songs, with their own videos, so cool celebs like Victor Garber (I LOVE that guy!) and Yusaf/Cat (we still play him pretty often around here) could listen to them and perhaps even cast a "yes" vote for our work! - I was all excited to submit a couple of my songs and maybe spend some hours watching videos of unsigned artist protest songs- which sounded like my idea of a really, really good time.

I went to your site and the description seems to indicate that the contest is for people to make videos for your song only.

Soooo - can you clear up whether the contest is for people to submit their own original songs and videos, or whether it is a contest for people to make a video that goes with your song?

If you intended the latter- wouldn't the former be even COOLER? What do you think?

Thanks---

[insandiego]

querencia, Sam's contest is to submit a video to his song War on War. The entries that I have seen so far are amazing and very creative.

[querencia]

American Peace.... yes of course.. what could be more rightious than making war on war?

Yes it is a clever play on words and says that we intend to prevail over that which threatens and harms us (war) but I am hoping you can see that it also comes out of the mindset that created the war in the first place.

John Trudell says we need evolution more than revolution. I tend to agree, even with as tempting as revolution seems at times, given the insanity. War on War is just more war. Not what i am hoping for.

My sense is that until we transcend the idea that how we solve something is to kill it, control it or have dominion over it (these are the means and ends of war, even "rightious" war on war- are they not?) ... violence will continue in our world.

Because I am rightious- I presume the right to subjugate others to that which i deem rightious. Isn't that where the trouble always starts?

[Conscious]

I interpreted the focus of this article not to be about naming every protest song/artist of the last three decades..

In light of the pervasive and selective censorship which filters all forms of media, I have also wondered " Where is the protest music of today?" Why isn't this music more obvious? This is a crucial time in which free speech without fear and without retaliation is endangered.

I viewed Sam's perceptive article as a forthright commentary about peace in these unsettling times of war, social and economic inequity and the relationship of today's present music with regards to this. As well as , the potential and subtle responsibility of music as an art form to affect change through its expression and inspiration. Truth deserves a place in the forefront, not hidden or obstructed.

In any case, Sam's coming forward, stepping up to walk the talk with this new song, War on War, speaks volumes for his integrity , his priorities and his values.

Bravo Sam Harris.

[bamboozled]

Frankly, I think you're out of your gourd. The protest has been going on for years among major acts. You mention Green Day's internet-only release, but their last major album was called "American Idiot" and they did a video with U2 ("The Saints are Coming") showing the troops coming home to help victims of Katrina.

Maybe you've forgotten Eminem ("this weapon of mass destruction that we call our president"), or the Dixie Chicks, or Neil Young's "Living with War," or Tom Waits' "Hoist the Rag," or REM's "Final Straw" or Pink's "Dear Mr. President."

The anti-war theme is pervasive in indie music. Listen to Bright Eyes "When the President Talks to God" among many others, And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead "World's Apart," Jenny Lewis (aka Rilo Kiley), Devendra Banhardt ("Heard Somebody Say"), The Decemberists, Andrew Bird, among others, and you'll here some fiercely anti-war, anti-apathy songs.

For every Joan Baez, there were 20 Diane Ross & the Supremes, just like today, for every Conor Oberst, there's 20 Justins.

If you want to complain about the indifference of Americans today, look no farther than the consolidated media, which is complicit with the administration and Pentagon in covering up the true horror of war. We are inundated with channels, yet haven't seen a single body come home.

Fortunately, I believe, there are many artists who aren't afraid to sing about what the media is afraid to show us.

[BushBeGone09]

Yet another ignorant comment. I clearly see that he mentions most of these artists in his article including Green Day, Dixie Chicks, REM, etc, ... did you even read it? The only difference with your list is that it's unoriginal, as it's derived from another web site, not your mind. As far as Neil Young, I found this Sam Harris song on Neil Young's site and it was linked to this page. I applaud his efforts. Even if you don't care for the song, he is doing his part to express himself, and giving others an outlet to do so as well. You could support the effort, or be a tool. You clearly chose the latter.

[brendanm]

I think the problem is not a lack of good or socially-conscious music out there, it is the overwhelmingly commercial and consolidated nature of television and radio that doesn't allow much through. Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, the Roots, Saul Williams, Tom Morello, Tool, Morrissey, Eddie Vedder/Pearl Jam, Tom Waits, Arcade Fire, and tons of contemporary folk and punk music have tons of anti-war and anti-Bush music and albums out there, and those are just my personal favorites. Some of it may be too subtle for the average MTV/Clear Channel music fans, but it is all out there and it is excellent music as well as politically relevant.

[rachaelisacancer]

Lil Wayne, Bright Eyes, Michael Franti

They're out there, but the sentiment leading them does seem sadly absent.

[JohnCochtosten]

I disagree with the notion that there is no protest music out there.

First, let's remember that the Vietnam War was raging for a long time before any kind of organized protest movement occurred. People have grown fatigued with the Iraq War much quicker than people did with Vietnam. That war started in 1959 and ended in 1975. Now that's a long haul.

Second, I think many artists choose to protest the war through less direct lyrics. Radiohead, for example, are masters of this. Listen to Thom Yorke's solo effort, The Eraser, and you'll find a song called Harrowdown Hill that is clearly about the anger felt over how this war was started. Dylan and Neil Young wrote protest songs that were also poetic and works of great art. However, Neil Young's recent anti-war album didn't achieve the same results because the songs weren't as good and the lyrics too direct and inartistic.

[AmericanPeace]

John, I did not perceive any notion of "no protest music." The article points to numerous song examples and artists over many decades.

A quoted line... "The point is that there is a tremendous dearth of protest and socially reflective music in today's music scene as compared to other similar times in history."

He's not saying there's an absense of protest music, rather a shortage compared to other decades. The popular music today does not focus on important issues the way other generations have heard.

Unlike many artists today, Sam isn't burying hidden lyrics to remain popular with the top 10 hits. He's speaking his mind and standing up where few musicians dare to go in 2008.

Hats off to the new album, "FREE."

[Robert11010]

I still listen to Sam Harris' Over the Rainbow from Star Search ... love it!

[insandiego]

Robert, talk about "standing the test of time"... His performance and that song is fantastic!

[robiform]

I grew up during the Vietnam War era, and back in the day, there was a lot of protest music on the radio. (Naturally, this was in the period pre-Clear Channel!) In fact, a big percentage of the music on my iPod is protest music. Things being what they are these days, much of the sixties and seventies protest music can easily be related to events of today, with perhaps a small change of lyrics! Or maybe not--every time I hear"Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, I am reminded of the current occupant of the White House!

[sparkybennett]

It surprises me that people immediately focus on the semantics rather than the true message of this essay.
Bravo to Sam Harris for creating a protest song and putting it out there. Bravo to all the artists who are writing lyrics with true passion and intent.
Sam's message is where are the protest songs of today.
Yes, there are many out there, but they are not making the mainstream playlists. Why? Are people afraid? Is it easier not to think about the tough subject matter? This is what should be discussed.

[jvarga]

There's plenty of protest music. Just like there's plenty of good music. However, if you look no further than MTV and your local clear channel station, you will neither find it nor deserve to hear it.

[doesitexplode]

...i realize that it's alright to have songs with the same name by different artists...but could you not come up with anything else as your hook AND your song title? seems, i dunno, pretty damn lazy.

[AmericanPeace]

Nothing could be further from the truth. Sam Harris is anything but "pretty damn lazy." Those are easy words to shout anonymously online, but have little meaning.

Usually when a person says someone of this caliber is lazy, it's because they are themselves. "War On War" is a perfect title for the song. You'll see Sam more & more in mainstream America, and I wonder how "lazy" he'll appear when he's at the top.

The strongest people are always the easiest targets.

[BushBeGone09]

Pathetic.

Where is YOUR song contribution?

You either agree with the message or not.

Nothing more lazy than an irrelevant armchair critic.

[querencia]

Protest and anti war songs are being written and played in house concerts and indie cds all over the country and world. Listening to corp pop isn't where to find them.
I am not going to pick on you about the songs you left out but I do think it is Interesting that you do not mention any femaie artists... Emmy Lou Harris - Babylon-Pretenders- Revolution, Joni Mitchell- Dog eat Dog etc. Mercy- Mary Gautier, to name a few. And there is one festy that contains more anti war sentiment than anywhere else in my experience- Hardly Strictly - nearly every artist had something to say with songs and comments the last several years about the war.
War on War- sad that the title fails to transcend the frame of mind (that we "fight" as a way of life) yet still -- cool idea! Always happy to see the issues raised and a chance for more voices to be heard. Including mine. Thank you.

[AmericanPeace]

Sorry, but I have to disagree. "War on War" is a perfect title that absolutely transcends the frame of mind (that we "fight" as a way of life). It's a WAR on the WAR itself.

We will see Sam more and more in the coming years. One amazing individual who's helping to change American history :-)

[BushBeGone09]

Joan Baez, Dixie Chicks, Patti Smith, Sheryl Crow, Tori Amos don't count?

Have no idea what your point is, but you clearly did not listen to the song to understand the title... and clearly you did not read the text.

[insandiego]

What an amazing and very insightful article from Sam Harris. It is refreshing to know that a celebrity such as Sam has such a passion and compassion for this country of ours. There have been so many wonderful protest songs throughout the years that have stood the test of time, but he is right. Where are the new ones to add to the mix? There are so many talented artists out there, but not very many with the forethought or quite frankly, the guts to record one. Maybe it is the fear of a backlash. I don't know, but what I do know is that you can add Sam Harris' song War on War to the list of songs that will stand the test of time. Bravo Sam, for Not having the fear and for your intelligence and your thought provoking article, and song.xoxo