By Fiona Golden

Ever since humans figured out that they could make some pretty sweet tunes by banging on rocks and blowing through hollow bones, they’ve made songs to express themselves. And sometimes those songs are designed to empower some and take the piss out of others. Protest songs permeate political climates and their influence is wholly undeniable. Here are ten songs that truly deserve to be national anthems based on the fact that they kick ass! And no, “Give Peace a Chance” will not be on the list.

Know Your Rights - The Clash

Aside from the fact that this cover art is cool as fuck, Know Your Rights is a definitive Clash song. This list could easily be filled with their numerous political classics, but this one is a hallmark of punk anger. Nothing’s more blood-boiling than a sardonic take on the government’s hypocrisy and Know Your Rights does it best.

Kick-ass lyric: “Murder is a crime / Unless it was done by a policeman / Or an aristocrat!

Americans – Janelle Monáe

I don’t think one song has ever been so spot-on about America’s current state. How the hell did Janelle manage to address so many of America’s plethora of social issues? Probably because she’s an absolute goddess. “Dirty Computer” in its entirety is worth a separate article in itself, but we’ll leave you to discover that magic yourself. Americans takes the entire country and punts it across the proverbial football field. George Washington is rolling in his grave and I hope he gets no sleep for eternity!

Kick-ass lyric: “Uncle Sam kissed a man / Jim Crow Jesus rose again”

I Pity the Country – Willie Dunn

Protest doesn’t always have to scream. Folk singer Willie Dunn, who was part Mi’kmaq Native Canadian, proves just this in his 1973 single. It’s slow, it’s simple, and its lyrics are heartbreakingly true of millions of Indigenous people around the world today.

Kick-ass lyric: “Frustrated are churchmen, the saving-of-soul men / The tinker, the tailor, the colonial governor”

Blk Girl Soldier – Jamila Woods

This song carries an immense amount of pain. Jamila Woods references scientific racism and overall disregard for black lives all across history. Today, hundreds of black girls are still reported missing. It’s the type of song that won’t let you go, but it’s worth every possible listen.

Kick-ass lyric: “Look at what they did to my sisters / Last century, last week”

If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next – Manic Street Preachers

Alluding to the Clash’s “Spanish Bombs”, Manic Street Preachers took us back in time to the Spanish Civil War where hundreds of volunteers fought against the fascist regime. The song itself is idealistic, but also recognizes personal realization towards a common fight.

Kick-ass lyric: “So if I can shoot rabbits / Then I can shoot fascists”

We the People – A Tribe Called Quest

This song is especially gritty. Criticizing the Trump administration, A Tribe Called Quest tackles police brutality, poverty, and systematic racism in America. The group has never strayed from being vocal about politics, but We the People is the perfect summary of injustice.

Kick-ass lyric: “Gentrify here, now it’s not a shithole / Trendsetter, I know my shit’s cold”

Oh Bondage! Up Yours! – X-Ray Spex

X-Ray Spex pioneered feminist punk and this single was the maiden voyage. It’s a powerful rejection of violence and sexualization of young women, and the production is about as badass as you can get. Poly Styrene gives a perfect fuck you to sexual power dynamics and we should all listen up.

Kick-ass lyric: “Chain-store, chain-smoke, I consume you all / Chain-gang, chain-mail, I don’t think at all”

Nina Cried Power – Hozier ft. Mavis Staples

Where do I begin with Andrew Hozier-Byrne? The Irish wood spirit returned from his coven of fey just to empower us and we should be eternally grateful. And with gospel legend Mavis Staples? They’re absolutely unstoppable. Nina Cried Power mentions dozens of activists and with a dark tone, it’s the perfect song to throw a Molotov cocktail to.

Kick-ass lyric: “It’s not the wall, but what’s behind it / Oh the fear of fellow man, it’s mere assignment”

Henry Ford was a Fascist – David Rovics

This one pretty much speaks for itself. All you need to know about the bastard is right here in this little bop.

Kick-ass lyric: “Yes Henry Ford was a fascist / That’s all I have to say / I will spit on Henry’s rotting grave / Until my dying day”

Born in the USA – Bruce Springsteen

For some odd reason, the meaning behind this song is completely lost on a significant amount of the United States population. Every 4th of July, you’ll hear this song at least three times, despite the fact that its anti-war message is extremely critical of American exceptionalism and involvement in Vietnam. The Boss has an entire discography dedicated to working class songs and this is just one of many.

Kick-ass lyric: “You end up like a dog that’s been beat too much / ‘Til you spend half your life just coverin’ up”