Many an audiophile, music historian, and activist has lamented the lack of protest songs in the last few decades. It seems, at least to most, that the golden era of protest music was way back in the 1960s during the Vietnam War.
In 2018, David Byrne took to his blog and Facebook to talk about this phenomenon. He disagreed with the notion that protest songs had “disappeared” after the 1960s and compiled a playlist full of protest songs that have graced his ears (and maybe yours on occasion) in the decades since the great era of the protest song.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Not too many years ago there was a spate of newspaper and magazine articles asking where all the ‘protest’ songs were,” he wrote. “Well, here they are… about 60 years worth, non-stop.”
Sadly, the original blog post with the playlist is gone. However, it looks like the playlist is still available on Spotify. Let’s shine a light on just a select handful of protest songs that David Byrne curated. Some of these might surprise you.
“Looking For America” by Lana Del Rey (2019)
This fairly new acoustic tune from Lana Del Rey is a surprise protest song of sorts. Not known for protest songs, Del Rey wrote this track (along with Jack Antonoff) about how mass shootings have been normalized in the United States. All while looking back at times when things felt safer and simpler.
“Give Ireland Back To The Irish” by Wings (1972)
Released in 1972, “Give Ireland Back To The Irish” was written by Paul McCartney quickly after the tragic events of Bloody Sunday in January of that year, in which British troops killed 13 civil rights protestors in Northern Ireland. It was banned by many UK organizations, including the BBC. But that didn’t stop it from becoming a charting hit on the UK Singles chart and even the Hot 100 in the US.
“(We’re Not) The Jet Set” by George Jones and Tammy Wynette (1974)
This duet between country darlings George Jones and Tammy Wynette dropped in 1974. It was a fast Top 20 hit on the country charts. Written by Bobby Braddock, “(We’re Not) The Jet Set” is a sweeter sort of protest song. It’s about being in love and finding joy in humble domestic bliss as a working-class family, rather than enjoying the spoils of the wealthier class.
“Fight The Power” by Public Enemy (1989)
One of the more direct protest songs that David Byrne included on his playlist, “Fight The Power” by Public Enemy could easily be the most memorable protest song of the 1980s. This famous Public Enemy song is loaded with references to the civil rights movement, African-American culture, and more. It remains an anthem for those protesting police brutality in the US today.
Photo by Brianna Bryson/Getty Images
More The List
-
SAUGUS, CA – AUGUST 18: Peter Frampton born Peter Kenneth Frampton is a British-American rock musician, singer, songwriter, producer, and guitarist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. in 1978 Peter Frampton portrayed the character Peter Buckley in an episode of Baa Baa Black Sheep titled "A Little Bit of England." filmed August 18, 1978 in Saugus, California (Photo by Paul Harris/Getty Images) -
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JULY 30: Vince Gill performs at Ryman Auditorium on July 30, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images) -
Photo by Chris Walter / WireImage / Getty Images -
American Country musicians Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers (1938 – 2020) perform together onstage at Brendan Byrne Arena (later Meadowlands Arena), East Rutherford, New Jersey, October 20, 1988. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images) -
American singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks joins Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers onstage as the band play the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, 30th July 1981. (Photo by Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images) -
US singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile attends Billboard Women in Music at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on April 29, 2026. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) -
LONDON – MAY 19: (L-R) English musician, singer, songwriter and guitarist George Harrison (1943-2001), English musician, singer and drummer Ringo Starr, English singer, songwriter and guitarist John Lennon (1940-1980), and English singer, songwriter and bassist Paul McCartney of the Beatles attend a press party at the home of manager Brian Epstein supporting the release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, May 19, 1967 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images)
