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Dead & Messed Up
01-20-2009, 03:38 AM
I was thinking about this today, on the very last day of the Bush administration. While Bush has ruined a lot of stuff, he also managed to make a huge impact on the music scene, to the point where normally "pop" performers like Pink and Eminem were getting in on the action.

Most of the anti-Bush songs are obvious diatribes that preach to the choir, but, hey, every now and then that's exactly what I need.

So my five favorites are:

"Devils and Dust" - Bruce Springsteen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zi92rsVsEQ)
Cause he's the Boss, and he's got seniority on all these snotty little punks. It's the best song on this list from a musical standpoint, with more poetry.

"Holiday" - Green Day (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ2wB9k-YZo)
What puts this above "American Idiot" is the equal-opportunity bashing, as liberals abandon their protests for cash. One of the first, written in 2003.

"Intervention" - Arcade Fire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO7ZWfvCjBE)
Majestic and subtle. "Hear the soldier groan / We'll got at it alone" attacks the people as much as the leadership.

"The Little Things Give You Away" - Linkin Park (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FMn2oYWBIw)
Specifically dealing with Hurricane Katrina, it's a six-minute soulful elegy that's nothing like their normal rap-rock efforts.

"Bushleaguer" - Pearl Jam (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co3ngj5am2I)
Spoken-word makes the goal more obvious, but also less pretentious. The Jam's way of saying, "We're gonna talk about Bush for four minutes."

Which ones were you a fan of? Did you hate 'em all? Glad we don't have to hear anymore presumptions of topical art from bands like Sum 41 and Jadakiss?

keyinblack
01-20-2009, 03:55 AM
"Dry Drunk Emporer" - TV On The Radio

Mostly in response to Hurricane Katrina.

(and to be fair, a lot more of their songs are probably anti-Bush)

BirdsAteMyFace
01-20-2009, 04:14 AM
Rilo Kiley - "It's a Hit"

*shrug*

transmogrifier
01-20-2009, 05:59 AM
Let's Not Make Love - Robert Klein

Kurosawa Fan
01-20-2009, 12:41 PM
"Combat Rock" - Sleater-Kinney

EDIT:
Lyrics

They tell us there are only two sides to be on
If you are on our side you’re right if not you’re wrong
But are we innocent, paragons of good?
Is our guilt erased by the pain that we’ve endured?
Hey look it's time to pledge allegiance
Oh god I love my dirty Uncle Sam
Our country's marching to the beat now
And we must learn to step in time
Where is the questioning where is the protest song?
Since when is skepticism un-American?
Dissent’s not treason but they talk like it’s the same
Those who disagree are afraid to show their face
Let's break out our old machines now
It sure is good to see them run again
Oh gentlemen start your engines
And we know where we get the oil from
Are you feeling alright now
Paint myself all red white blue
Are you singing let's fight now
Innocent people die, uh oh
There are reasons to unite
Is this why we unite?
If you hate this time
Remember we are the time!
Show you love your country go out and spend some cash
Red white blue hot pants doing it for Uncle Sam
Flex our muscles show them we’re stronger than the rest
Raise your hands up baby are you sure that we’re the best?
We'll come out with our fists raised
The good old boys are back on top again
And if we let them lead us blindly
The past becomes the future once again

dreamdead
01-20-2009, 02:05 PM
On the harder side of rock, there's also "Clenching the Fists of Dissent (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Lq5UYv_V_8)" by Machine Head, which is a critique of Bush's War in Iraq. Rather a fun song to blast out, actually.

Melville
01-20-2009, 03:40 PM
I think the only such song I've heard is Springsteen's, which I like a lot.

Though it only mentions Bush in passing, my favorite political song is probably Tom Waits' Road to Peace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqhoCj4uFfQ). It's relatively non-preachy, just Waits' weary voice and a bleak narrative about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

EvilShoe
01-20-2009, 03:42 PM
I just realized no longer bands will yell out "fuck Bush!!!!" and go on a rant against war before starting their set.
I'm so happy right now.

(Until they find something else to protest against.)

monolith94
01-20-2009, 03:45 PM
Interestingly enough, the song that makes me the most filled with fury at Bush isn't about Bush at all.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_1927

also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A84ideqnJqE&feature=related

hilarious

Acapelli
01-20-2009, 04:01 PM
I just realized no longer bands will yell out "fuck Bush!!!!" and go on a rant against war before starting their set.
I'm so happy right now.

(Until they find something else to protest against.)
god yes

Ezee E
01-20-2009, 05:09 PM
No. Instead now it'll be all about how "CHANGE IS HERE... OBAMA 4 LIFE. F-BUSH!"

For at least a year.

bac0n
01-20-2009, 05:38 PM
Flaming Lips - Haven't Got A Clue pretty much captures my feelings of the man.