American Crisis

Bob Mould drops the hammer with lyrics in all caps.

Welcome back to American crisis.
No telling what the price is.
Wake up every day to see a nation in flames.
We click and we tweet.
And we spread these tales of blame.

Stick That in Your Country Song

Country? Yep! It’s Eric Church.
Compromising? Nope!

Take me on up to Detroit city.
Jails are full, the factories empty.
Momma’s crying, young boys dying.
Under that red white and blue still flying.
Drop me off in Baltimore.
Where every other window’s got a plywood board.
Where dreams become drugs and guns.
The only way out is to shoot or run.

These Strange Times

This September 2020 re-release of a 1995 song by Mick Fleetwood is existential as hell.

These strange times I too have dreams
Things that make me wonder
If to walk a thin line is like dying alone
And I’m trying to find my way home
To where God is now here and the dark is now light
Yes I’m crying out, God is now here
God is now here and that was hell
Being caught between the dark and the light

Hallelujah Money

Benjamin Clementine supplies the eerie solo in this tune brought to video thanks to the Gorillaz in January of 2017. Perhaps money is the root of all evil.

Don’t worry, my friend.
If this be the end, then so shall it be.
Until we say so, nothing will move.
Ah, don’t worry.
It’s not against our morals.
It’s legally tender.
Touch my friend.
While the whole world
And whole beasts of nations desire
Power.

Sinking Ship

David Johansen, of New York Dolls fame, sends out an S.O.S.

Now there’s a lot of fingers pointing,
Suspicion running strong.
Who’s to be blamed for all her failures?
Who’s to be blamed for doing her wrong?
Oh, please remember, I’m warning you.
The last four years she had the same crew
Who hold the keys to the vault?
So now we know who’s at fault.
It’s up to yoy. It’s up to me
To make her worthy to go back to sea

Your Land

Here’s a hip-hop treatment by Gangsta Grass of the Woody Guthrie classic, certainly updated.

Here’s an excerpt by the group on American Highways: “The political divide in the United States feels as big as the perceived gap between hip-hop and bluegrass. And the bridge we are making musically is addressing both. Our fans come from all different parts of the spectrum — political or musical, take your pick. The idea that we can speak a language that can be understood by people who are so different — and that we can show them that maybe they are not so different as they first thought — is powerful, meaningful.”

Antibodies (Do You Have The)

Nicholas Braun pokes a lot of fun with this tune.
It’s all for a cause; “This partnership with Plus1 will empower Partners In Health to control the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the most vulnerable people around the world receive access to dignified healthcare. The COPE Program will work to bring equity of care and essential supplies and goods to the people of the Navajo Nation.
A portion of proceeds from the “Antibodies (Do You Have The)” single and merch will be going to Partners In Health and The COPE Program.”

I’m Black and I’m Proud

James Brown
He isn’t coy.

Now we demand a chance to do things for ourselves.
We tired of beatin’ our heads against the wall.
And workin’ for someone else look a-here
There’s one thing more I got to say right here.
Now, now we’re people, we’re like the birds and the bees.
We rather die on our feet than keep livin’ on our knees.

And, if you have 20 spare minutes and haven’t been able to see live action of JB GFOS, here’s an extended clip of a concert in Zaire in 1974. The godfather of soul, just into his 40s, kicks into splits and shows his stuff, reprising his signature song with the all-star cast (approximately 12 minutes in.)

At the close of 9/11

As the sun sets today, I’ve chosen two songs to commemorate the events of September 11, 2001, both with the focus on those who were caught in the conflagration. So many lives were lost, and so many families torn apart.

First is “If I Give Your Name” by Emma’s Revolution.

I have no papers, I have no rights.
All my days end in sleepless nights,
Missing you, silently, If I give your name
Will they come after me?

Second is “The Rising,” a classic by Bruce Springsteen, written from the point of view of a person heading into the burning skyscraper, perhaps knowing the ascension would be the last.

Armor

Sara Bareilles gets more defiant as this song develops, a paean of strength.

Step three: I see
The unforgettable, incredible ones who came before me
Brought poetry, brought science
Sowed quiet seeds of self-reliance
Bloomed in me, so here I am.
You think I am high and mighty, mister?
Wait ’til you meet my little sister.

For a lovely change of piece, try this Bareilles tune, live with backing vocals and orchestra. Once Upon Another Time is lovely melancholia.