rock n’ roll

Artist:          The Beatles

Song:           Revolution 1

Album:        The Beatles (White Album)

Producer:    George Martin

Label:          Apple

Year:           1968

Notes:
John Lennon wrote the lyrics to ‘Revolution 1’ as both a call for social change and a cautionary screed regarding how it should be achieved. He got predictable blowback from both the right and left as a result; the right didn’t appreciate the call to revolution, the left accused him of selling them out.

The song was initially released Aug. 26, 1968, as the b-side of the ‘Hey Jude’ single. This version of the song was a remake of the version already recorded for the self-titled White Album (released Nov. 22, 1968), which you can hear at the bottom of the post.

Excerpt from ‘Unreality’  —
A nickel Colt Diamondback .38-Special revolver rested in his lap as he addressed Cookie.

Lyrics:
You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it’s evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world

But when you talk about destruction
Don’t you know that you can count me out

Don’t you know it’s gonna be
All right, all right, all right

You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We’d all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We’re doing what we can

But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait

Don’t you know it’s gonna be
All right, all right, all right

You say you’ll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it’s the institution
Well, you know
You better free you mind instead

But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao
You ain’t going to make it with anyone anyhow

Don’t you know it’s gonna be
All right, all right, all right
All right, all right, all right
All right, all right, all right
All right, all right

 —

‘Protest 100’s mission is two-fold: dispelling the myth that heavy metal is a brainless, socially unaware music genre, and raising awareness of the issues facing our country in the Nov. 3, 2020 election. The path won’t be exclusively metal—some punk and rap and other stuff will be in here too, including the classics—and is not a ranking. All songs are songs I’ve heard while putting this list together, ordered in a manner designed to entertain and educate.

P100 – A New Morning, Changing Weather

Artist:          The (International) Noise Conspiracy

Song:           A New Morning, Changing Weather

Album:        A New Morning, Changing Weather

Producer:    Jari Haapalainen

Label:          Burning Heart/Epitaph

Year:           2001

Notes:
Boredom leads to aggression. But so does oppression. Mix them together and you’ve got an explosive blend. The (International) Noise Conspiracy were formed by Refused vocalist Dennis Lyxzén not long after the latter’s breakup. The music is masterfully executed garage rock with some extra flourishes (e.g. organ) not just added around the edges but woven right through its core. Lyrical content borrowed heavily, and sometimes directly, from the avant-garde Situationist International movement. Was lucky enough to catch this tour (with Rival Schools and the Hives no less!) at Mary Jane’s in Houston

Excerpt from ‘Unreality’  —
…it was such a new moon that you couldn’t even see it.

Lyrics:
God damn let’s hit it on the weak spot
Everybody knows that we all had enough
Smell the scent of gasoline fumes
‘Cause we’re not victims and we know what to do

Right now a systematic shutdown of
New world orders and restructuring plans
Hold tight ’cause here comes the latest craze
I’ve got news baby and this is what I say

Yeah, a new morning, the weather’s changing
Yeah, a new morning, the weather’s changing
Cha’, hey, hey, a new morning, the weather’s changing
Cha’, hey, hey, a new morning

God damn let’s build a new movement
Dead time pacifies so let’s do it
This time all these slogans will come alive
We’re not going to be bored this time

Right now a systematic shutdown of
Neo-liberals and assorted clowns
So strike the match and baby clench your fist
Here comes a party that we don’t want to miss

Hey, hey, hey, a new morning, the weather’s changing
Hey, hey, hey, a new morning, the weather’s changing
Cha’, hey, hey, a new morning, the weather’s changing
Cha’, hey, hey, a new morning

Hey, hey, hey, independence
We are playing a little game, I said
Hey, hey, hey, independence
We got it on the way

Hey, hey, hey, independence
We are playing a little game, I said
Hey, hey, hey, independence
We got it on the way

Hey, hey, hey, independence
We are playing a little game, I said
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey

—

‘Protest 100’s mission is two-fold: dispelling the myth that heavy metal is a brainless, socially unaware music genre, and raising awareness of the issues facing our country in the Nov. 3, 2020 election. The path won’t be exclusively metal—some punk and rap and other stuff will be in here too, including the classics—and is not a ranking. All songs are songs I’ve heard while putting this list together, ordered in a manner designed to entertain and educate.

Artist:          T. Rex

Song:           Children of the Revolution

Album:        n/a

Producer:    Tony Visconti

Label:          Reprise

Year:           1972

Notes:
Let’s lighten things up a little bit. Time was, when you hit the spot after a day on the front lines thwarting the man, some fun could be had with your fellow free thinkers. Those days will be back. And when the needle drops on this one, I’ll meet you at the bar for a Jim Beam, Lone Star back. No way, yeah, wow…

Excerpt from ‘Unreality’  —
…all the children of all ages laying peacefully together. What wasn’t to like about that?

Lyrics

Yeah

Well, you can bump and grind, it is good for your mind
Well, you can twist and shout, let it all hang out

But you won’t fool the children of the revolution
No, you won’t fool the children of the revolution, no no no

Well, you can tear a plane in the falling rain
I drive a Rolls Royce ’cause it’s good for my voice

But you won’t fool the children of the revolution
No, you won’t fool the children of the revolution, no no no, yeah

But you won’t fool the children of the revolution
No, you won’t fool the children of the revolution

No, you won’t fool the children of the revolution
No, you won’t fool the children of the revolution, no way, yeah, wow

—

‘Protest 100’s mission is two-fold: dispelling the myth that heavy metal is a brainless, socially unaware music genre, and raising awareness of the issues facing our country in the Nov. 3, 2020 election. The path won’t be exclusively metal—some punk and rap and other stuff will be in here too, including the classics—and is not a ranking. All songs are songs I’ve heard while putting this list together, ordered in a manner designed to entertain and educate.

Artist:          The Temptations

Song:           Ball Of Confusion (That’s What The World Is Today)

Album:        Greatest Hits II

Producer:    Norman Whitfield

Label:          Motown

Year:           1970

Notes:

When the band played on in 1970 it addressed the Vietnam War, segregation, white flight, drug abuse, crooked politicians, and a multitude of other topics. Not much has changed, but it makes clear one of the starkest dichotomies between then and now. Then it seemed normal for the people to question their government. Now…it’s not gonna work out as well if you don’t get out and vote. I don’t give a fuck if you never voted before and never do again. Now’s the time.

[alternate recording at the bottom]

Lyrics:

One, two
One, two, three, four

People moving out, people moving in
Why? Because of the color of their skin
Run, run, run but you sure can’t hide
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
Vote for me and I’ll set you free
Rap on, brother, rap on

Well, the only person talking about love thy brother is the preacher
And it seems nobody’s interested in learning but the teacher
Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration
Aggravation, humiliation, obligation to my nation

Ball of confusion
Oh yeah, that’s what the world is today
Woo, hey, hey

The sale of pills are at an all time high
Young folks walking round with their heads in the sky
The cities ablaze in the summer time
And oh, the beat goes on

Evolution, revolution, gun control, sound of soul
Shooting rockets to the moon, kids growing up too soon
Politicians say more taxes will solve everything
And the band played on

So, round and around and around we go
Where the world’s headed, said nobody knows
Oh, great Googamooga
Can’t you hear me talking to you?

Just a ball of confusion
Oh yeah, that’s what the world is today
Woo, hey, hey

Fear in the air, tension everywhere
Unemployment rising fast, the Beatles new record’s a gas
And the only safe place to live is on an Indian reservation
And the band played on

Eve of destruction, tax deduction, city inspectors, bill collectors
Mod clothes in demand, population out of hand, suicide, too many bills
Hippies moving to the hills, people all over the world are shouting
‘End the war’ and the band played on

Great Googamooga
Can’t you hear me talking to you?

It’s a ball of confusion
That’s what the world is today, hey, hey
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya

Sayin’ ball of confusion
That’s what the world is today, hey, hey
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya
Sayin’ ball of confusion

The version that introduced me to the song.
Numbers, 1985

Artist:          Chambers Brothers

Song:           Time Has Come Today

Album:        The Time Has Come (1967)

Producer:    David Robinson

Label:          Columbia

Year:           1966

Notes:
It’s in the title. It’s in the chorus. It’s in the ticking clock and chants of “Time!” Now is the time to act. Later might not get here otherwise.

Columbia Records boss Clive Davis forbid the band to record the song. Willie Chambers told the story in a Songfacts interview: “After we signed with Columbia Records, there was a big party with all the food and booze and all this stuff. All the important people were there and we got to meet all of the head hogs and Clive was there. He was there for a couple of hours and he says, ‘Well, I must be going, I have other appointments.’ He immediately leans back in the door, ‘Oh, by the way, that song ‘Time Has Come Today’ that you guys do, we won’t be doing that. We won’t do that kind of shit on this label.’”

[alternate recordings at the bottom]

Lyrics:

Time has come today
Young hearts can go their way
Can’t put it off another day
I don’t care what others say
They say we don’t listen anyway
Time has come today
(Hey)

Oh
The rules have changed today (Hey)
I have no place to stay (Hey)
I’m thinking about the subway (Hey)
My love has flown away (Hey)
My tears have come and gone (Hey)
Oh my Lord, I have to roam (Hey)
I have no home (Hey)
I have no home (Hey)

Now the time has come (Time)
There’s no place to run (Time)
I might get burned up by the sun (Time)
But I had my fun (Time)
I’ve been loved and put aside (Time)
I’ve been crushed by the tumbling tide (Time)
And my soul has been psychedelicized (Time)

Now the time has come (Time)
There are things to realize (Time)
Time has come today (Time)
Time has come today (Time)

Time [x11]

Oh
Now the time has come (Time)
There’s no place to run (Time)
I might get burned up by the sun (Time)
But I had my fun (Time)
I’ve been loved and put aside (Time)
I’ve been crushed by tumbling tide (Time)
And my soul has been psychedelicized (Time)

Now the time has come (Time)
There are things to realize (Time)
Time has come today (Time)
Time has come today (Time)

Time [x4]
Yeah

Original version

Album version

The version that introduced me to the song