Music is a universal language, and since the dawn of times it has been used as a tool to transmit messages to a wide audience.
Due to its massive appeal, quick rotation, and reach, songs have always been used as a medium to popularize causes and spark social awareness.
However, beyond protest songs and Christian songs - which are circumscribed to a specific market-, pop artists have used their fame and prominent spotlight to highlight causes close to their hearts, delivering songs with social commentary to the masses.
From Blues and Ballads to electronica and Hip-Hop, pop music reaps the social pulse of the moment, and spreads its message over the masses, particularly among the young.
Here are some of the most famous pop songs with social messages from the last decades.
1.- He ain't heavy, he's my brother - The Hollies (1969)
Written by Bob Russell and Bobby Scott.
Released in 1969 at the end of the Civil Rights movement in the U.S. and in the midst of the hippie movement, the lyrics aboard the subject of brotherhood and love towards mankind beyond any racial or national discrimination, subjects which dominated the social consciousness of the time.
Since then, its mellow tune and harmonica solo have often been spoofed, as in the film “Zoolander” (2001), but even the mock has not tarnished its core message.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
The road is long with many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
But I'm strong, strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
[...]
If I'm laden at all, I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another.
It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there, why not share?
2.- In the Ghetto - Elvis Presley (1969)
Written by Mac Davis.
Probably the most heart-wrenching hit by Elvis Presley, this is a poignant song with a potent anti-discrimination message, describing the cycle of life and death in a socially disadvantaged area of Chicago, making a fervent appeal for solidarity with those most in need.
Although Presley’s fame had dimmed considerably by the time the song was released, the depth of its message and Presley’s soulful performance showcases his artistic maturity and made it an instant classic, a veritable anthem to the Civil Rights movement era that still rings true today.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
As the snow flies
On a cold and gray Chicago mornin’
A poor little baby child is born in the ghetto.
And his mama cries,
‘Cause if there’s one thing she don’t need
is another hungry mouth to feed in the ghetto.
People don’t you understand,
The child needs a helping hand
Or he’ll grow to be an angry young man some day
Take a look at you and me
Are we too blind to see?
Do we simply turn our heads and look the other way?
3.- What's going on? - Marvin Gaye (1971)
Written by Marvin Gaye, Marvin P. Gaye, Alfred Cleveland, Renaldo Benson.
Released in 1971, in the aftermath of the Civil Rights movement and during the American involvement in the Vietnam war, “What’s going on” is a soulful ballad, performed by the distinctive voice of Marvin Gaye, calling its audience to ponder the current events and take a stand against discrimination.
In 1986, Cindy Lauper revived this Marvin Gaye hit in a version that reinvented it for a new generation of listeners, delivering its powerful message to a new era and becoming a hit in its own right.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today.
Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate.
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today.
Picket lines and picket signs,
Don't punish me with brutality,
Talk to me, so you can see
What's going on.
4.- Imagine - John Lennon (1971)
Written by John Lennon based on ideas by Yoko Ono.
Among the many songs with social messages composed by Lennon, “Imagine” stands out as its masterpiece, and remains on the most memorable pacifist anthems across the decades.
Released in 1971 in the namesake album, the profoundly idealistic lyrics and Lennon’s serene interpretation lulls listeners to imagine an ideal world far from the prevalent social turbulence at the time.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try
No hell below us, above us, only sky
Imagine all the people livin' for today
Imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion, too
Imagine all the people livin' life in peace
You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one,
I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one.
5.- Is this the world we created? - Queen (1984)
Written by Freddie Mercury and Brian May.
Although best known for their powerful stadium anthems and rock songs, this ballad shows the subtle side of Queen, one connected to the zeitgeist of its time and not indifferent to the issues affecting the world.
The lyrics written by Mercury and May invite listeners to reflect of the kind of world we are creating through our actions.
Queen performed the song at the Live Aid concert (which followed Band Aid’s success after “Do they know it’s Christmas), as an encore with additional instruments and arrangements, and a few changes in the vocal line.
In addition, "Is this the world we created…?" was Queen's contribution to “Greenpeace - The Album”, a compilation of tracks by several artists meant to help funding the group in its ecological preservation activities and remains one of the most poignant ballads by this group.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
Just look at all those hungry mouths we have to feed
Take a look at all the suffering we breed
So many lonely faces scattered all around
Searching for what they need.
Is this the world we created?
What did we do it for?
Is this the world we invaded
Against the law?
So it seems in the end
Is this what we're all living for today?
The world that we created.
[...]
Is this the world we created?
We made it on our own
Is this the world we devasted, right to the bone?
If there's a God in the sky, looking down
What can He think of what we've done
To the world that He created?
6.- People are people - Depeche Mode (1984)
Written by Martin Gore.
Seen by some as an anti-war song, or as a song against racism, the powerful beat of the drum machines and its catchy melody made of “People are people” a hit in the radios and on the dance floor across continents, spreading its message of tolerance and understanding on a global scale.
Although Gore later considered it 'too commercial', this became Depeche Mode’s biggest hit to that point in time and helped to popularize the band across the globe.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
People are people, so why should it be?
You and I should get along so awfully.
So, we're different colors and we're different creeds,
And different people have different needs.
It's obvious you hate me, though, I've done nothing wrong
I've never even met you, so, what could I have done?
I can't understand what makes a man
Hate another man - help me understand.
And now you're punching, and you're kicking, and you're shouting at me
I'm relying on your common decency
So far, it hasn't surfaced, but I'm sure it exists,
It just takes a while to travel from your head to your fist.
7.- The War song - Culture Club (1984)
Written by George O'Dowd (Boy George), Jonathan Moss, Michael Craig, and Roy Ernest Hay.
Bright and carefree, with a catchy rhythm section of Caribbean influence, “The War Song” is probably one of the jolliest anti-war songs ever composed.
Following Culture Club’s huge success with “Karma Chameleon” and “Do you really want to hurt me?”, the group composed a song that had both mass appeal and meaningful content.
In addition, the video illustrates the idiocy of war by showcasing a group of dancers in military outfits, parading and strutting on a runway, as a frivolous fashion show amid the chaos and destruction left by war.
The catchy rhythm and easy melody of the song made it one of the group’s greatest successes.
In order to spread its message as widely as possible, versions of the song were also released in international markets with the refrain sung in Spanish, French, German, and Japanese.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
War, war is stupid and people are stupid
And love means nothing in some strange quarters
War, war is stupid and people are stupid
And I heard them banging on hearts and fingers
War!
[...] Man is far behind in the search of something new
Like a philistine, we're burning witches too
This world of hate must be designed for you
It matters what you say, it matters what you do.
Now we're fighting in our hearts,
Fighting in the streets,
Won't somebody help me?
Sting, Bono and Simon LeBon (Duran Duran)
during the recording of "Do they know it's Christmas?"
8.- Do they know it's Christmas - Band Aid (1984)
Written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure.
After watching a BBC news documentary covering the devastating famine in Ethiopia following civil war, British singers Bob Geldof and Midge Ure decided to compose a song to be performed by some of the most stellar names in British pop music, in order to raise money to help Ethiopia.
The song is an open call to audiences to think of those in need during the Christmas festivities, and includes some of the most famous British and Irish pop singers and bands at the time: Sting, Bono & U2, Phil Collins, Paul Young, Duran Duran, Wham, Bananarama, U2, Culture Club, Spandau Ballet, and Ultravox, among others.
Although invited to join the effort by recording individual lines, neither David Bowie nor Paul McCartney could attend. They did, however, send support messages to be included in the album, and Bowie joined the recording of the final chorus.
“Do they know it’s Christmas?” was released in December 1984 as a Christmas song, a time traditionally linked to charitable causes. It became an instant success, amassing millions in contributions to its charitable cause.
Newer versions of the song have since been released, but the original version remains a classic Christmas track, and the first to demonstrate that the mass appeal of pop music and the fame of their stars could be used for a good cause.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
But say a prayer, pray for the other ones
At Christmas time it's hard, but when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring there
Are the clanging chimes of doom
Well, tonight thank God it's them instead of you.
And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
Where nothing ever grows, no rain nor rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
9.- We are the world - USA for Africa (1985)
Written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson.
Inspired by the success of Band Aid, Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie joined forces to compose a song calling the public to help in the efforts against the famine in Ethiopia.
Produced by Quincy Jones, the song was recorded in a single session attended by some of the biggest names in the American pop music industry: Diana Ross, Dolly Parton, Cindy Lauper, Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, Bruce Springsteen, Huey Lewis, Smokey Robinson, Steve Perry, and many more.
Other artists who could not attend the recording - such as Prince and Madonna -, donated songs for the album.
“We are the world” became one of the most famous call-to-action songs of all times. The video, shot during the recording session, was one of the most watched on MTV.
Also, in an unprecedented effort, the LP was released in the international markets at the same time as in the American market, thus amassing millions in sales worldwide.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
There comes a time when we heed a certain call,
When the world must come together as one.
There are people dying
And it's time to lend a hand to life,
The greatest gift of all.
We can't go on pretending day-by-day
That someone, somewhere soon make a change
We're all a part of God's great big family
And the truth, you know, love is all we need
[...]
Well, let us realize
That a change can only come
When we stand together as one,
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving
There's a choice we're making, we're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me.
10.- Nineteen - Paul Hardcastle (1985)
Released at a moment of high political tension worldwide, this song entered the Pop charts as an anomaly.
The heavy use of samplers and electronic music reflect the music trends of the time, and the song itself echoes other pop culture references of the mid-1980s such as Rap, scat, and techno, as well as post apocalyptic culture as portrayed in Max Headroom, Blade Runner, Mad Max, Terminator, etc.
The catchy beat and strong rhythm of “19" made it sound like another danceable bubble-gum track - until you paid attention to the lyrics.
Video: Paul Hardcastle - Nineteen (3:40)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00TEUo9I194
Unlike regular songs, “19" features sampled texts extracted from the documentary “Vietnam Requiem”, and the lyrics are not sung by Hardcastle but narrated by the American news commentator Peter Thomas, interspersed with audios taken from actual news reports of the Vietnam war.
The title of the song itself makes reference to the average age of the U.S. recruits sent to fight the Vietnam war. All these give “19" an unescapable and poignant sense of realism which contrasts wildly with the danceable electro beat.
Although “19" became a one-hit wonder for Hardcastle, its merit lies in opening the eyes of a new generation to the atrocities of the Vietnam war.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
In 1965 Vietnam seemed like just another foreign war, but it wasn't.
It was different in many ways, as so were those that did the fighting.
In World War II the average age of the combat soldier was 26...
In Vietnam he was 19.
[...]
All those who remember the war
They won't forget what they've seen.
Destruction of men in their prime
whose average was nineteen.
[...]
After World War II the Men came home together on troop ships, but the Vietnam
Vet often arrived home within 48 hours of jungle combat.
Perhaps the most dramatic difference between World War II and Vietnam was
coming home.
None of them received a hero's welcome.
* * *
Some other songs of this period that carried significant social messages include:
-“Wight is Wight”, by Michel Delpech (1969)
-"Big Yellow Taxi", by Joni Mitchell (1970). Reprised by Counting Crows in 2002.
-“One Love”, by Bob Marley (1977)
-"Give a Little Bit" by Supertramp (1977)
-“99 Luftballons”, by Nena (1983)
-“Everything counts”, by Depeche Mode (1983)
-“In the Name of Love”, by U2 (1984)
-"Money's too tight (to mention)" by Simply Red (1985), a cover of the original song by The Valentine Brothers (1982)
In the next part we'll explore more songs that awoke the social conscience of the masses.
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