What band inspired your political awakening?

[phill4paul]

For me it was Pink Floyd. Animals came out in '77. I was 12 years. old. My brother bought the album. I didn't know anything about politics. At the time my brother was playing Steve Millers "Fly Like an Eagle" and I just loved the groove.
It took me years and years to "get" Pink Floyd. In my early twenties I was a Skynard, Allman Brothers, blues-rock enthusiast. I do remember having discussions with others about "the greatest rock band." But never was their defense about the lyrics.
Around '89 I discovered "Animals."
Political dissertation 101.

Les Clypool does a good job of recreating...



Warren Haynes has a "Dark Side.." DVD also....

[phill4paul]

This.........



Big man, pig man, ha ha charade you are.
You well heeled big wheel, ha ha charade you are.
And when your hand is on your heart,
You're nearly a good laugh,
Almost a joker,
With your head down in the pig bin,
Saying "Keep on digging."
Pig stain on your fat chin.
What do you hope to find.
When you're down in the pig mine.
You're nearly a laugh,
You're nearly a laugh
But you're really a cry.

Bus stop rat bag, ha ha charade you are.
You $#@!ed up old hag, ha ha charade you are.
You radiate cold shafts of broken glass.
You're nearly a good laugh,
Almost worth a quick grin.
You like the feel of steel,
You're hot stuff with a hatpin,
And good fun with a hand gun.
You're nearly a laugh,
You're nearly a laugh
But you're really a cry.

Hey you, Whitehouse,
Ha ha charade you are.
You house proud town mouse,
Ha ha charade you are
You're trying to keep our feelings off the street.
You're nearly a real treat,
All tight lips and cold feet
And do you feel abused?
.....! .....! .....! .....!
You gotta stem the evil tide,
And keep it all on the inside.
Mary you're nearly a treat,
Mary you're nearly a treat
But you're really a cry.

[pcosmar]

None really.
Or no single one.



though I am partial to Grateful Dead version.

and apply as you wish

[Anti Federalist]

Another great political song from Animals.

[Zippyjuan]

Probably the Clash. Got to see them live once.

[phill4paul]

Probably the Clash. Got to see them live once.

This might interest you..sent to me from a friend...

[Natural Citizen]

Oddly enough, it was the bands and all of the cultural stuff that came with it that led me to see just how asleep people around me was. Growing up deep in the sticks, I never even knew anything about bands and all of the different kinds of music. I literally spent my time wandering in the hills all day. I wasn't ever really around people except for family and on Sundays you'd get people from all around the holler at the picnic. Now, I heard music there but it was just singing hyms and playing the banjo and guitar and things like that.

It wasn't until we moved up north that I ever saw an album. Of course, I equated them to the really screwed up way that I found people to live and act outside of the country. The whole culture, to me, seemed like it was something from outer space. Like they never even knew what real freedom was. It seemed like freedom to this new company that I was in meant sex, drugs and rock n roll. I felt like I was enslaved just being in their company to be honest. That was probably in my mid to late teens.

But, then, I ended up blending in like I was on the bus. Started to do the same thing. Really, just because the chicks were hot.
As far as becoming political, I wouldn't say that any band influenced that for me.

[bierdegarde]

This is an easy one. Thick as a Brick, Jethro Tull.

[tod evans]

[otherone]

[Thaddaeus]

"Boom!" by System of a Down was the first political song I ever heard of that wasn't from the 1960s. It was anti-war.

[JK/SEA]

i was 14......1965. Without question, this tune started my awakening...

[Brian4Liberty]

Generally don't pay attention to the political aspect of lyrics, unless they are particularly obnoxious.

This was a good political song though:

Halls of justice, painted green
Money talking
Power wolves beset your door
Hear them stalking

Soon you'll please their appetite
They devour
Hammer of justice crushes you
Overpower

The ultimate in vanity
Exploiting their supremacy
I can't believe the things you say
I can't believe, I can't believe the price you pay

Nothing can save you
Justice is lost
Justice is raped
Justice is gone

Pulling your strings
Justice is done

Seeking no truth
Winning is all
Find it so grim
So true, so real

Apathy their stepping stone
So unfeeling
Hidden deep animosity
So deceiving

Through your eyes their light burns
Hoping to find
Inquisition sinking you
With prying minds

The ultimate in vanity
Exploiting their supremacy
I can't believe the things you say
I can't believe, I can't believe the price you pay

Nothing can save you
Justice is lost
Justice is raped
Justice is gone

Pulling your strings
Justice is done

Seeking no truth
Winning is all
Find it so grim
So true, so real

Lady justice has been raped
Truth assassin
Rolls of red tape seal your lips
Now you're done in

Their money tips her scales again
Make your deal
Just what is truth? I cannot tell
Cannot feel

The ultimate in vanity
Exploiting their supremacy
I can't believe the things you say
I can't believe, I can't believe the price we pay

Nothing can save us
Justice is lost
Justice is raped
Justice is gone

Pulling your strings
Justice is done

Seeking no truth
Winning is all
Find it so grim
So true, so real

Seeking no truth
Winning is all
Find it so grim
So true, so real

[Bruehound]

"Something For Nothing"

Waiting for the winds of change
To sweep the clouds away
Waiting for the rainbow's end
To cast its gold your way
Countless ways
You pass the days

Waiting for someone to call
And turn your world around
Looking for an answer
To the question you have found
Looking for
An open door

You don't get something for nothing
You can't have freedom for free
You won't get wise
With the sleep still in your eyes
No matter what your dreams might be

What you own is your own kingdom
What you do is your own glory
What you love is your own power
What you live is your own story
In your head is the answer
Let it guide you along
Let your heart be the anchor
And the beat of your own song

You don't get something for nothing
You can't have freedom for free
You won't get wise
With the sleep still in your eyes
No matter what your dreams might be

[NorthCarolinaLiberty]

Probably the Clash. Got to see them live once.

Can you elaborate? You are about the forum's most prolific progressive, so how did they influence you? I think many people here are talking about freedom, but how did you become more liberal? Or, do you mean something else?

Thanks!

[Ronin Truth]

No band, just logic (and an epiphany "red pill").

[Danke]

Can you elaborate? You are about the forum's most prolific progressive, so how did they influence you? I think many people here are talking about freedom, but how did you become more liberal? Or, do you mean something else?

Thanks!

i saw them at the Red Rocks Amphitheater. Wonder if Zippy was there?

[oyarde]

i saw them at the Red Rocks Amphitheater. Wonder if Zippy was there?

I think I have only been to Red Rocks once . I think I saw the Clash last , maybe '82 , Should I Stay Or Should I go .

[oyarde]

Can you elaborate? You are about the forum's most prolific progressive, so how did they influence you? I think many people here are talking about freedom, but how did you become more liberal? Or, do you mean something else?

Thanks!

The lead vocal guy has probably been passed away 15 or 20 years .Not to speak ill of the dead but he was a commie .

[Anti Federalist]

[Anti Federalist]

[Anti Federalist]

[Danke]

was that you at 00:54?

[Anti Federalist]

was that you at 00:54?

Got me...I was feeling free and easy that day

[phill4paul]

In '67 I was still $#@!ting in diapers.

[phill4paul]

Music provides for an awakening. It's good. We've lost a great many old guard in the last coupla years. RIP.

[Origanalist]

It was Yes. Roundabout


For some reason this song kick started my brain, not sure why.

[Anti Federalist]

In '67 I was still $#@!ting in diapers.

I wasn't out of them very long in 1967 either.

But this has been one of my favorite songs for years now...it spoke to me as a teenager.

The whole song is an anthem, with four part harmony and feeling, devoted to chronicling the stupidity of government bureaucracy and authority figures.

Used to have it memorized, word for word, and could actually sing it not too badly.

And Arlo is a Ron Paul man to boot and a fellow Yankee.

This just prompted me to find out if he's playing anywhere this summer, and get a chance to see him before he passes away as well.

[Anti Federalist]

Arlo bought the church where the song took place, and will be performing there for dates in June.

https://guthriecenter.org/

https://www.arlo.net/

[donnay]