I'm puttng together a playlist of songs that tell about an event or a person. Sinking Of The Reuben James, Ballad Of Ira Hayes, Battle Of Maxton Fields, Titanic, Pretty Boy Floyd, Run Come See Jerusalem Viva La Quince Brigada, D-Day Dodgers and even Joshua Fit the Battle Of Jericho are on my preliminary list. (There are lots of songs about union organizers being killed.) But I'm at a loss for more contemporary events. Perhaps Ohio or Woodstock by CSNY. Victor Jara by Arlo.. Does anyone know any current "history telling" songs. Any genre. Is there a "Ballad of Michael Brown" out there? (I'm looking for song that say "this is what happened" rather than "there is a problem". That tell a story rather than draw a conclusion. But don't let that stop you from making a suggestion.) Thanks.
one about 911 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J85HnaAZNms and the 4th plane on 911 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A6dYR7q0Uw
That last caveat you have makes it kind of tough. I feel that if music is supposed to be one of the best mediums for self-expression, just reporting an event without putting ones vested interests or emotions into it, doesn't seem like it makes for a very compelling song. Here is a song that made me aware of, what the band would likely claim political prisoner, Mumia Abu Jamal.. http://youtu.be/V4A0Qya23y0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luVpsM3YAgw considering his death brought global attention to what was going on in South Africa and eventually led to the end of apartheid, I would say this fits the criteria.
This one is a bit abstract in the event it's discussing. As tends to be the nature of alot of electronic music, it doesn't have alot of lyrics. The song is implicitly discussing legislature in the UK in the mid 1990's that essentially wanted to make rave music and raves illegal. It's bordering on comical to see how EDM has expanded this current decade to think that this was actually once proposed. http://youtu.be/BX3PfjTQ1fU
one about the fort hood shootings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaB9dow1eR4 ok its not about the shooting but you didnt know by listening to the song.
Thanks for the song. I agree about music being personal. But, consider Reuben James and Plane Crash at Los Gatos, both by Woody Guthrie. Both are straight forward reportage, but its very clear what Woody thought about them. And a song that give the listener the events to think about rather than telling them what to think about those events, allows (forces) the listener's reaction to the event to be more personal and stronger. The listener owns the reaction that the song induces more strongly than if they were "told" how to react. Compare Waist Deep in the Big Muddy with Feeling Like I'm Fixing to Die Rag. Thanks again for the song.
While not based on real events, this a contemporary ballad; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmAYziKt2pU
