by Grace Palmer

It is certain that we are living in an age of great change. The next generation is fighting against the failures of their ancestors, and more than ever, the younger generation is taking responsibility in making significant changes to the state of the world, whether that be climate change, equal rights, or combating government corruption. A major shift is occurring before our very eyes, and it is only right that a soundtrack plays behind it. Feminist anthems, punk rock anger, and black power songs are more prevalent than ever, with artists such as Rage Against the Machine, Childish Gambino, and Hozier, embodying these ideals . Yet this type of music is not only a product of the 21st Century justice movement: its roots are deeply embedded in the major protest songs of the past. I, for one, find great power in these protest songs; they’re inspirational, strong and most importantly, they’re all absolute tunes!

'I am woman, hear me roar.'

Although the 70’s were obviously riddled with injustices of black identity and all of the US was contending with the Vietnam War, an element that sometimes gets overlooked is the importance of female musicians producing in that era . Artists such as Nina Simone, Patty Smith and Poly Styrene were massive icons throughout the '70s, using their gender as a means of expressing female power and the growing rights of women. Even though it seemed women were far past the age of the suffragettes and gender inequality, that was majorly far from the truth. Women were incredibly powerful in the ‘70s, and these musicians were truly the strongest of them all. For many, the actions of women in the music industry at that time worked as a catalyst for the second wave of feminism--perhaps none more so than Helen Reddy. I am sure many of you have heard the unforgettable I Am Woman (and if you haven’t, definitely give it a listen). Her simple, repeated lyrics 'I am strong. I am invincible. I am Woman.' became the anthem for women across America and beyond. Helen had captured what it meant to be a woman and the incredible strength that came with it. It is even said to have greatly influenced the work of the National Women's Movement leader, Betty Friedan, who stated that 'I am Woman' "is a general empowerment song"; and that’s one heck of an endorsement.

But this song's message does not exist only in the '70s. Now, it may seem really strange to compare Beyonce to Helen Reddy, but Reddy's transcendent message(s) undeniably fuelled the growth of female power anthems of our generation e.g., Run the World (Girls). This century has seen the explosion of songs that really showed the feeling of being a woman, such as that of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way, or even most of Doja Cats’ discography. The folk music of Helen Reddy is not such a far cry from the work Beyonce and Megan Thee Stallion as it first seems.

Some of you may be asking, “But what about Joni Mitchell?” and to that I tell you: absolutely! Joni Mitchell was in a league of her own, using her passion about climate change to influence many of her lyrics. Her classic Big Yellow Taxi, with its expressive 'they paved paradise, put up a parking lot' is even more important in highlighting the damaging effects of industrialisation and climate change that we’re facing on a daily basis. What Joni Mitchell highlights is how female voices have and continuously will champion climate change, clearly seen through the activism of Greta Thunberg. The women of the '70s have become icons of female empowerment and have led the way for the development of the female anthems that we happily scream in crowded bars and empty bedrooms alike.

'This world was made for all men'.

Perhaps a more important discussion is the music that embodied the emotions and intensity of the black community’s fight for equal rights. For many black people, black music has long been a symbol of pride and cultural heritage, and it was the 70’s climate of outrage that helped propel this music into the mainstream. Among numerous others, the early '70s saw the work of Bob Marley, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder and Burning Spear become prominent in light of the culmination of the US Civil Rights Movement of the late '60s. Songs such as Black Man by Stevie Wonder and Slavery Days by Burning Spear highlighted the change still needed within US society and beyond: The Civil Rights Movement was not enough, and it certainly wasn’t finished!

Black individuality of the Civil Rights Movement was expressed in many genres of music, reggae being one of them. It was an expression of cultural pride, impactful lyrics enclosed in a 'cool summer vibe'. Black artists were even more important than ever, and their musical influence continued into the 21st Century. Society's treatment of the black community has not changed enough since the '70s, and black musicians’ voices are necessary now more than ever.

Take, for example, Childish Gambino’s 2018 masterpiece This is America, a song which tackles the recent proliferation of gun violence and and police brutality in America. Gambino’s clever lyrics and frank music video resonated deeply with black audiences across the country, causing many to consider This is America a modern anthem against systemic inequality. Gambino's afrobeats take influence from '70s reggae, with Pitchfork writer Stephen Kearse arguing the song is 'built on the sharp contrast between jolly, syncretic melodies and menacing trap cadences.'

And nowhere are issues of gun violence, police brutality, and racial injustice more heavily discussed than in hip hop and rap. Public Enemy, Black Sheep and Brand Nubian are just a few of the many hip hop artists that exploded from the '90s. Their intense lyrics and blatant subject matter highlighted how the treatment of black people--especially black men--was still shockingly bad. Public Enemy's cleverly named 1990 album Fear of a Black Planet, commented on the fear-mongering targeted at the black population and their retaliation against it. There’s even a 1989 film entitled Do the Right Thing that uses the music of Public Enemy as a backdrop to racial politics in America--if you haven’t seen it yet I highly recommend giving it a watch.

In light of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others, it has never been more important for black voices to be heard, especially in the music industry. The Black Lives Matter protests of summer 2020 saw this increasing focus on black pride; an idea that fuels much of Beyonce’s current music. Her most recent album Lion King: The Gift is a clear expression of black individuality and the power demonstrated in that. Black Parade, one of the album’s tracks, can only be seen as protest--protest against the treatment of black people within the remit of black pride: 'being black, maybe that's the reason why they always mad.' Beyonce herself even alludes to '70s artists, referencing 'Curtis Mayfield on the speakers.' The works of Mayfield, Marely, Wonder, etc. allowed black voices to be heard proudly in the '70s, giving the space for black artists now to use their voice to fight against the oppression they face. Not only is it crucial that musicians can be heard but that their messages are used in peoples everyday life; and none more important than that of the black community.

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'I don't want to be a soldier Mama; I don't want to be a soldier'.

The Vietnam War drastically changed the younger generation’s trust towards authority figures and governing bodies. The war sparked a protest movement that extended from the mid-60s to the early '70s, with veterans protesting in 1971 in D.C. against the treatment of soldiers, throwing down their medals on the steps of the White House. This feeling of mistrust was undoubtedly shown through the impact of Woodstock – the most famous music festival of 1969 which my Dad will never shut up about - with its ideals carrying through into the '70s, allowing a stage for protest singers to become even more noticeable. Music became a symbol for change –a rallying cry that spurs protestors on and combines them under shared ideals. Artists such as Jimi Hendrix with Machine Gun saw music become statement pieces, dark commentaries on the state of society. As author David Henderson wrote: “Machine Gun saw the 'sound over drone shift[ing] from woman's scream to a siren, to a fighter plane…”

Musicians found increasingly creative ways to critique the disaster that was the Vietnam War, and none were more influential and impactful than Bob Dylan - a personal favorite of mine. His folk rock genre was a clear opposition to the war, and he became a poignant symbol for the student protest movement with his anti-war, pro-civil rights message. One song that captured the essence of the era was The Times They Are A-Changin’, its message warning the government that they are not part of this change. The song’s ideals have transcended time since its release; it still remains relevant for every year and every injustice. Even 2020 saw a cover by indie artist Goth Babe referencing the Black Lives Matter protests - our eternal rallying cry against prejudice and discrimination.

These anti-authority sentiments continued on into the late '70s, with the growth of punk, attacking corruption; with bands such as The Sex Pistols, The Jam and especially The Clash, highlighting this belief. Direct motion against the government in God Save the Queen (Sex Pistols) and London's Calling (The Clash) challenged authority in a way that was previously considered socially unacceptable. Their music may be too aggressive for me personally, but man is their philosophy raw and powerful. This anger towards the government influenced the work of bands such as Green Day and Sum 41 in the 21st Century. Although Green Day couldn’t appear more different to Bob Dylan’s folk rock, his anti-jurisdiction attitudes carry through to their message.

Today, anti-authority songs have taken inspiration from the rock and punk of the '70s and combined it into themes that are covered by numerous artists across numerous genres. From Rage Against the Machine’s Guerrilla Radio to Steven Wilson's Personal Shopper (a social commentary on the power of consumerism), there exists a great range of protest songs in many forms – all of which find their roots in the '70s.

For the times they are a-changin'

Without the influence of the '70s, much of the music that continues the fight for justice in the 21st Century would not exist. From the female protest of Nina Simone all the way to Beyonce, the black protest of Bob Marley to Childish Gambino, or the anti-war protest of Bob Dylan to Goth Babe; it is undeniable that protest music of the '70s has shaped and changed the way artists of the 21st Century express their beliefs. Whether it was allowing a platform for their voice to be heard or finding new ways of getting their message across, ‘70s music was protest through and through, and I think we can learn a lot from their boldness. I guess what I’m really saying is that we can all protest, and music is an incredible means of doing just that.