Music That Makes An Impact
Record player playing music. Click on my photo to pin on Pinterest!
Music is so powerful. It brings people together and can resonate so deeply when nothing else does. Art is such an amazing way to explore new themes and expand your mind. Music is one of the best outlets to break the mold. If you’re looking to gain a new perspective this summer, here are some jams I recommend adding to your playlist.
Some messages in music are more overt than others. In my opinion, if it goes deeper than surface level and makes you think, that’s where the magic happens. From pop to country, old to new, here are some of my favorites. Keep your mind open, express yourself, be kind to others, and maybe you’ll find a new jam in this list.
1. Ain’t It Fun - Paramore
[Lyrics]
You’re not the big fish in the pond no more
You are what they’re feeding on
Paramore’s music always amps me up, and their song, Ain’t It Fun, is one of their best.
2. Flowers In The Garden - Buddy Lewie
You may not have heard of Buddy Lewie yet, but he’s one of my favorite artists! His song, Flowers In The Garden, has so many different meanings. All his lyrics are chef’s kiss and will definitely get you thinking.
3. Femininomenon - Chappell Roan
In most of Chappell Roan’s music, you’ll hear themes of self-expression, identity, feminism, and LGBTQIA themes. Overall, Femininomenon is a great song that gets me hyped whenever I hear it.
4. I’d Love To Change The World - Ten Years After
I’d Love To Change The World, is a classic 70s rock song. The lyrics are simple and to the point.
[Lyrics]
Tax the rich, feed the poor
'Til there are no rich no more
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
5. Black Girl Memoir - Doechii
Doechii’s song, Black Girl Memoir, details experiences for many women of color. I’m adding her NPR Tiny Desk Concert video here, because I think it’s amazing. She sings Black Girl Memoir as her last song. The all female ensemble and creative choices are so mesmerizing in this performance.
6. Do What I Love - Feral The Earthworm
I love Feral’s music. In his song, Do What I Love, there’s so many lyrics that hit hard. We are all just monkeys if you really think about it. Also, shout out to my sister, Carly, for helping direct this music video!
7. Sheep - Mt. Joy
Mt. Joy’s song, Sheep, is all about coming together and supporting the oppressed.
[Lyrics]
Kids are getting ready for a long war
It’s up to us to make the changes we want to see in the world.
8. Money, Money, Money - ABBA
I love ABBA. This song is pretty self-explanatory.
[Lyrics]
Money, money, money, must be funny
In the rich man’s world
Let’s change that.
9. This Is America - Childish Gambino
This Is America is a powerful song that details the horrible ongoing reality of gun violence and discrimination in America. There is so much symbolism in the song as well as the video. Go give it a watch if you haven’t already. It’s one of the most influential music videos to date and quite shocking. (Warning-graphic images)
10. Follow Your Arrow - Kacey Musgraves
Follow Your Arrow is one of the more lighthearted songs on this list. It’s all about staying true to yourself and loving who you love. I think Kacey Musgraves is such a great artist and I enjoy all of her music.
11. Don’t Drink The Water - Dave Matthews Band
Why do we need to conquer people?
[Lyrics]
What’s this you say?
You feel the right to remain
Then stay, and I will bury you
We see this happening all over the world with Indigenous peoples, Palestinians, and so many others. Dave is quoted saying that Don’t Drink The Water is the best song that he’s written.
12. American Idiot - Green Day
This song is a straight banger and is made to make you question what you’re seeing instead of blindly following. It’s one of the more popular protest songs.
13. Money Trees - Kendrick Lamar
There are so many Kendrick songs that could be on this list, but Money Trees is one of my favorites. The American dream is not all that it seems.
14. Fortunate Son - Credence Clearwater Revival
Fortunate Son is all about privilege and the social injustices we face. From the Vietnam War to today, this song still has relevance.
15. Eat Your Young - Hozier
What is the world going to look like for the future generations? It may be quicker and easier to eat your young, according to Hozier.
16. Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore - John Prine
Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore by John Prine is another very anti-war song. Despite using humor in his country-folk song, John Prine communicates the deathly realities of war.
17. American Teenager - Ethel Cain
American Teenager by Ethel Cain describes her complicated experience growing up as a trans woman in the America South. In her music video, she adds the opening line:
[Lyrics]
God loves you, but not enough to save you
So baby girl, good luck taking care of yourself
18. What’s Up - 4 Non Blondes
[Lyrics]
I try all the time, in this institution
And I pray, oh my god do I pray
I pray every single day
For revolution
This one is such a fun one to sing and brings the nostalgia. Seriously though, what’s going on?!
19. Born This Way - Lady Gaga
What an iconic gay anthem. Born This Way is all about celebrating your differences and accepting yourself. It’s all about diversity, inclusion, and pride!
[Lyrics]
Ooh there ain’t no other way, baby, I was born this way
Any other Trixie and Katya fans out there? lol.
20. Clint Eastwood - Gorillaz
There are several theories about what this song is about, but my theory is that’s it’s about how we perceive the world.
[lyrics]
I'm in them
Every sprouting tree, every child of peace
Every cloud and sea, you see with your eyes
I see destruction and demise
Corruption in the skies
What do you think Del the Funky Homosapien is telling us?
21. The Poor - Jesse Welles
Jesse Welles is gaining a lot of popularity on Tiktok right now. He’s like the modern day Bob Dylan, a folk singer, playing guitar and writing songs about current issues.
22. Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell
[Lyrics]
Don’t it always seem to go
that you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
Joni Mitchell wrote this song about her experience in Hawaii. Let’s remember to practice gratitude for the one Earth we live on. You really don’t know what you have, ‘til it’s gone.
23. Labour - Paris Paloma
Paris Paloma’s song, Labour, is all about the patriarchy. It’s an emotional and powerful song, and there’s a reason why so many women resonate with the lyrics. I think it’s time to move on from the patriarchy.
24. Zombie - The Cranberries
The Cranberries are such an iconic band. Their song, Zombie, is a powerful protest song. It was written about the 1993 Warrington bombings and is still relevant today around the world.
25. Man of the Year - Lorde
Lorde’s song, Man of the Year, explores feelings about gender identity. It’s all about self-acceptance, ego death, and is so compelling.
Overview
I hope this list can help fuel your fire, start a conversation, or even shift the way you look at the world. We were meant to be alive during this radical time in history. The art speaks for itself. It’s time for a change, and I believe we can make it happen. Spread the love, share the wealth, and help those in need.
What songs should go on part 2? Let me know your favorites below!
Here is my Spotify playlist I put together!
Camera used to document: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
