Music and Revolution: Songs That Changed the World

Joe Hill / Billy Bragg, There Is Power in a Union

In this special Labor Day episode of Music and Revolution, Rolf Straubhaar breaks down two powerhouse anthems that share a title: "There Is Power in a Union"—one written

Woody Guthrie and Martin Hoffman, Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)

In this episode of Music and Revolution, Rolf Straubhaar dives into Woody Guthrie’s 1948 masterpiece, "Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)". On January 28, 1948, a plane

Announcement!

Hey everyone! Quick format update for you today: moving forward, Music and Revolution is shifting to a biweekly schedule. So instead of dropping every single week, you’ll

Stevie Wonder, Living for the City

In this episode of Music and Revolution, Rolf Straubhaar dives into Stevie Wonder’s 1973 masterpiece, “Living for the City.” This seven-and-a-half-minute centerpiece from

Bob Dylan, The Times They Are A-Changin’

In this episode of Music and Revolution, Rolf Straubhaar dives into Bob Dylan’s timeless 1963 classic, “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” Written by a twenty-two-year-old k

Edwin Starr, War

In this episode of Music and Revolution, Rolf Straubhaar dives into Edwin Starr’s explosive 1970 anti-war masterpiece, “War.” Released only a month after the tragic Kent

Florence Reece, Which Side Are You On?

In this episode of Music and Revolution, Rolf Straubhaar dives into Florence Reece’s legendary 1931 labor anthem, “Which Side Are You On?” What started in the bloody coal

Nina Simone, Mississippi Goddam

Some protest songs hide their anger behind metaphor. This one forces you to laugh at a show tune, right before it breaks your heart with the truth. In this episode of M

Bruce Springsteen, Born in the U.S.A.

When you hear the explosive snare hit and driving synth line of Bruce Springsteen’s 1984 masterpiece “Born in the U.S.A.,” it’s easy to understand why it became a stadium

Bronski Beat, Smalltown Boy

Some songs top the charts. And some songs change the world. In this final Pride Month episode of Music and Revolution, Rolf Straubhaar dives into Bronski Beat’s groundb

Sylvester, You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)

Some protest songs change the world with slogans. This one does it by teaching you how to live inside your own body. In this Pride‑month episode of Music and Revolution,

George Michael, Freedom ’90

In this episode of Music and Revolution, Rolf Straubhaar digs into George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90” as more than a catchy breakup letter to MTV. We trace how a former Wham

Diana Ross, I’m Coming Out

Some songs top the charts. Some songs quietly rewrite who gets to feel seen. Diana Ross’s “I’m Coming Out” is now an undeniable Pride anthem—blaring from parade floats,

Tracy Chapman, Talkin’ ’Bout a Revolution

In this episode of Music and Revolution, host Rolf Straubhaar dives into Tracy Chapman’s “Talkin’ ’bout a Revolution” — a song that opened her 1988 debut album and has ne

Dolly Parton, 9 to 5

In this episode of Music and Revolution, host Rolf Straubhaar dives into Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” — a song that is unapologetically feminist, deeply rooted in the realitie

Sly and the Family Stone, Everyday People

Some songs top the charts. Some songs change how we imagine living together. In this episode of Music and Revolution, host Rolf Straubhaar digs into Sly and the Family

Bob Marley and the Wailers, Get Up Stand Up

Most listeners recognize “Get Up, Stand Up” as a classic Bob Marley anthem, long before they hear it as a fierce challenge to colonialism, poverty, and the kind of religi

KRS-One, Sound of da Police

Most of us think we know “Sound of da Police.” But for many listeners, it lands as a hook before it lands as an argument. In this episode of Music and Revolution, host

The Impressions, People Get Ready

Most of us think we know “People Get Ready.” But on the surface, it doesn’t sound like a protest song at all. In this episode of Music and Revolution, host Rolf Straub

Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fortunate Son

Most of us think we know “Fortunate Son.” But the version we carry around in our heads is often more movie soundtrack than protest song. In this episode of Music and Re