When President Trump is inaugurated we will need appropriate music to mark the occasion.
Considering the playlist for the day took me back to the rage, resistance, and riots in the 1960’s and 70’s. At that time the government routinely took great liberties with the truth, especially concerning the progress of the Vietnam War. The citizens — especially us idealistic kids — marched, protested, and sang.
The country almost fell apart until the war ended and a decent man, Gerald Ford, became President.
Trump’s disregard for facts and the quickness to fight make me fear that the songs I came of age with are needed again.
Here’s what we’ve got on tap to play on January 20th. Your suggestions for additional songs are welcome!
Sample individual songs below or see and hear them all on YouTube.
- Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuire
- Lives in the Balance by Jackson Browne
(Suggested by Harlan Kerr)
- Political Science (Let’s Drop the Big One Now) by Randy Newman
- Don’t Use Your Penis for a Brain By Romanovsky & Phillips
- Fortunate Son by Credence Clearwater Revival
- Universal Soldier by Donovan
- My Back Pages by the Byrds
- Red Necks by Randy Newman
- Sail Away by Randy Newman
- Tomorrow Belongs to Me from Cabaret
(Suggested by Steve Zink)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN7r0Rr1Qyc
- Something Bad from Wicked
(Suggested by Steve Zink)
- So Long Mom by Tom Lehrer
(Suggested by Mary Stanton-Anderson)
- This Land is Your Land by Woodie Guthrie
- Blowin’ in the Wind by Judy Collins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5RMEs3ToB0
- One Tin Soldier by the Original Caste
- With God on Our Side by Bob Dylan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7FKyouUIsQ
- Where Have All the Flowers Gone by Joan Baez
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LZ2R2zW2Yc
Sky Pilot By Eric Burdon and the Animals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP0IXOr9O8U
- Ohio by Crosby, Still, Nash, and Young
- For What It’s Worth by Buffalo Springfield
- Singing for Our Lives by Holly Near
- Heaven’s Here on Earth by Traci Chapman
(Suggested by Ben Bear)
- Everyday People by Sly and and Family Stone
- Get Up, Stand Up by Bob Marley
- Turn, Turn, Turn by the Byrds
- The Lunatics Have Taken Over the Asylum by Fun Boy Three
(Suggested by Brad Gaffney)
- Sympathy for the Devil by the Rolling Stones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBecM3CQVD8
- The End of the World as We Know It (And I feel fine) by R.E.M.
(Suggested by David Pruden)
- We Shall Overcome by Pete Seeger
- Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) by Bob Marley and the Wailers
- Imagine by John Lennon
This is a positive way to deal with the inauguration. Old music from the same era may help me deal with the days (and months and years) following. Music makes me stronger.
Carry It On several
Joe Hill Ronnie Gilbert
Little Wheel Spin and Spin Buffy St. Marie
If I Give Your Name – Emma’s Revolution
Call It Democracy – Bruce Cockburn
Wasteland of the Free – Iris Dement
Language of Violence – Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy
Your Next Bold Move – Ani DiFranco
Hero’s Song – Brendan James
Bought and Sold – Dar Williams
Lives in the Balance – Jackson Browne
They Dance Alone – Sting
Lawless Avenues – Jackson Browne
My Country ‘Tis of Thy People You’re Dying – Buffy Sainte-Marie
Waiting for a Miracle – Bruce Cockburn
For America – Jackson Browne
We Work the Black Seam – Sting
Democracy – Leonard Cohen
Television, the Drug of the Nation – Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy
Talkin’ Bout a Revolution – Tracy Chapman
When I Was a Boy – Dar Williams
Jerusalem – Steve Earle
Dear Mr. President – Pink
Mississippi Goddam – Nina Simone
Here’s to Us – “Little Me” cast recording
The End – Doors
Strange Fruit – Billie Holiday/ Annie Lennox
But for what it’s worth, I’m ignoring the whole day. I refuse to torture myself by watching any of it, or wasting my sanity by letting him dominate my thoughts. Time for action, not wallowing.