The second half of the 1980s was one of increased social consciousness and activism.
Following the massive success of Band Aid, the Live Aid concert, and the USA for Africa album and concert, it became apparent that socially conscious entertainment was highly profitable - and the causes to portray and embrace were not few.
In addition to the wars and conflicts in Africa and the Middle East, the heightened tensions in Eastern Europe, the conflict in Northern Ireland, the AIDS epidemics, the massive destruction of the Amazon Forest, and the discovery of a hole in the ozone layer became highly publicised news that permeated the collective consciousness around the globe.
At the same time, entities such as Greenpeace, the World Wildlife Fund, UNICEF, and Amnesty International gained visibility by recruiting pop figures such as Sting, Bono, and Sinead O’Connor as ambassadors.
For all these, it’s no wonder that so many songs with social messages emerged during this period and well into the 1990s, when the trend fizzled in favour of the excitement and trepidation for the end of the century.
Interestingly, as the youthful effervescence of the 1980s slowly died away, most songs with message shifted to a more sober and sombre, even pessimistic mood, signaling the change of the times.
Here are the final 10 songs of our list.
11.- Russians - Sting (1985)
Written by Gordon Sumner (Sting).
Written during the final years of the Cold War, this song from Sting’s first solo album expresses the hope that the love of Russians for their own children would avert a nuclear conflict with the West.
Notoriously vocal in his political views and very active on the social causes of the moment (a move that some viewed as mere publicity stunts), through this song Sting made clear his stern political criticism against the leaders of the time.
However, for all the seriousness of its lyrics and tune, Sting got the inspiration for the song after watching children’s programs on Russian television.
Some of the sound elements used to build the song’s atmosphere include the ticking of a clock (reminding us of a ticking bomb, or that time for peace was running out), a few bars from the Lieutenant Kijé Suite by Sergei Prokofiev, a sound snippet from the Soviet news program “Vremya”, communications from the Apollo–Soyuz mission, and bell tolls to represent Russian churches.
Fortunately, only a few years after the release of “Russians”, the immediate threat of Cold War was defused. But Sting’s song remains an anti-war anthem, and is a reminder of the sense of uncertainty and concern that impregnates the collective consciousness in the face of sustained conflict between nations.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
How can I save my little boy from Oppenheimer's deadly toy?
There is no monopoly on common sense
On either side of the political fence.
We share the same biology, regardless of ideology
Believe me when I say to you
I hope the Russians love their children too.
There is no historical precedent
To put the words in the mouth of the president.
There's no such thing as a winnable war,
It's a lie we don't believe anymore.
Mr. Reagan says “we will protect you”,
I don’t subscribe with this point of view.
Believe me when I say to you,
I hope the Russians love their children too.
12.- Luka - Suzanne Vega (1987)
Written by Suzanne Vega.
Released at a time when upbeat, danceable tunes dominated the pop charts, “Luka” was a song that stood out by the raw honesty of its lyrics, its accessible tune, and Vega’s demure performance.
This blend of attributes made of “Luka” a memorable statement, sharing the pop charts along other hits such as “Who’s that girl” by Madonna, and “Only in my dreams” by Debbie Gibson.
Written by Vega herself, in her first interviews she declared that the main inspiration for the song had been seeing a lonely child in a playground. However, in 2023 Vega admitted that she had written the lyrics based on her own personal experience of child abuse.
The main achievement of this song was providing visibility to child abuse and domestic violence, two topics that at the time of its release were obscured and considered ‘unfit’ for the mass entertainment market.
Along with other artists such as Sting, Bono, Sinead O’Connor, and Tracy Chapman, Suzanne Vega’s success with “Luka” opened the door to portraying topics considered taboo in pop songs, a change that also reflected the shift in the collective sensibilities of the time.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
My name is Luka
I live on the second floor,
I live upstairs from you.
Yes, I think you've seen me before
If you hear something late at night,
Some kind of trouble, some kind of fight,
Just don't ask me what it was.
[...]
They only hit until you cry
And after that you don't ask why
You just don't argue anymore.
Yes, I think I'm okay,
I walked into the door again.
If you ask that's what I'll say,
And it's not your business anyway.
I guess I'd like to be alone,
With nothing broken, nothing thrown.
Just don't ask me how I am.
13.- The Miracle - Queen (1989)
Written by Brian May, Freddie Mercury, John Deacon and Roger Taylor.
Written by the four members of the band and included in their penultimate album, “The Miracle” evidences a period of maturity in the group.
Recorded and released at a time when Freddie Mercury had already disclosed his illness to the members of the band (though not publicly), and Brian May was going through a painful divorce, the lyrics of “The Miracle” make no echo of these problems.
Instead, it focuses on the wonder of being alive, making a call for peace, and mentioning a series of big and small things that we often take for granted.
Through its lyrics and bright orchestration, “The Miracle” invites us to remain optimistic and perceive life itself as a miracle.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
We're having a miracle on Earth
Mother nature does it all for us,
The wonders of this world go on,
The hanging Gardens of Babylon,
Captain Cook, and Cain and Abel,
Jimi Hendrix to the Tower of Babel,
It's a miracle.
The one thing we're all waiting for
Is peace on Earth, an end to war,
It's a miracle we need, the miracle.
The miracle we're all waiting for today.
14.- Another Day in Paradise - Phil Collins (1989)
Written by Phil Collins.
Released in his second solo album 'But Seriously...', the song was a dramatic departure from Collins’ easy listening hits until then.
The song generated immediate controversy at the time of its release, receiving unfavourable reactions from music critics, who considered addressing the topic of homelessness patronizing and hypocritical coming from a wealthy artist.
Interestingly, such accusations were not brandished against other artists - such as Michael Jackson or Sting - who had already released songs with social message.
The cause for this reaction may lay in the song’s lyrics, whose illustrative description of callousness makes listeners feel uncomfortable and guilty, and the call to “Think about it”, which may be taken as an admonishment.
In spite of the adverse criticism, “Another day in Paradise” earned several important awards, and remains one of the bravest examples of pop music to awake consciousness about an important social issue.
In addition, as a demonstration of his honest interest in this cause, Collins reportedly collected money from his concerts and doubled the figure out of his own money in order to donate it to several homeless charities.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
She calls out to the man on the street
"Sir, can you help me?
It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep
Is there somewhere you can tell me?"
He walks on, doesn't look back.
He pretends he can't hear her.
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street,
Seems embarrassed to be there.
Oh, think twice,
'cause it's another day for you and me in Paradise.
Think about it.
15.- Praying for time - George Michael (1990)
Written by George Michael.
Released in his second solo album “Listen Without Prejudice”, the slow, almost bleak tempo of this song, and the topic it addresses mark a stern departure from George Michael’s previous bubblegum pop, declaring his musical maturity and definite rupture with the past.
The lyrics of the song examine social injustice, greed, and charity almost in a hopeless tone that, nonetheless, echoes the pervading mood of the society at the time.
The expressiveness and vocal range of George Michael's performance bestow “Praying for time” an emotional power that leaves no listener indifferent, and that still sounds relevant today.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
These are the days of the open hand,
They will not be the last.
Look around now,
These are the days of the beggars and the choosers.
This is the year of the hungry man,
Whose place is in the past,
Hand in hand with ignorance and legitimate excuses.
The rich declare themselves poor,
And most of us are not sure
If we have too much, but we'll take our chances
'Cause God's stopped keeping score.
I guess somewhere along the way
He must have let us all out to play
Turned His back and all God's children
Crept out the back door.
And it's hard to love, there's so much to hate
Hanging on to hope
When there is no hope to speak of.
And the wounded skies above say it's much, much too late,
Well, maybe we should all be praying for time.
16.- Money Don't Matter 2 Night - Prince (1991)
Written by Prince and Rosie Gaines.
One of the biggest names in American pop, Prince had for long dodged the criticism for not participating in the recording of “We are the world”, and this song was seen as an opportunity to settle that debt.
Inspired by the deployment of United State soldiers in Iraq for the Operation Desert Storm, the lyrics mention several social issues such as poverty, war, and greed, all joint by the common thread of money and its relative importance.
Considered by critics as a mature, smooth, and politically engaged track, through “Money don’t matter 2 night” Prince portrays a critical view about greed and consumerism.
In order to accentuate even further its message, the first music video was directed by the famous African-American director Spikey Lee, but it was considered "too political" and unfit for the MTV audience, so a second video was released featuring Prince and The New Power Generation, to a warmer reception.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
Money don't matter 2 night
It sure didn't matter yesterday
Just when u think u've got more than enough
That's when it all up and flies away
That's when u find out that u're better off
Makin' sure your soul's alright
Cuz money didn't matter yesterday,
And it sure don't matter 2 night
Hey now, maybe we can find a good reason
2 send a child off 2 war
So what if we're controllin' all the oil,
Is it worth a child dying 4? (is it worth it?)
If long life is what we all live 4
Then long life will come 2 pass
Anything is better than the picture of the child
In a cloud of gas.
And u think u got it bad.
17.- Saltwater - Julian Lennon (1991)
Written by Mark and Lesli Spiro with Julian Lennon.
"Saltwater" combines a plaintive melody with gentle vocals to highlight the issues of environmental conservation and world poverty.
The lyrics describe a series of human achievements along with the issues we have caused to the planet, balancing the positive and negative aspects of human civilization.
Hoping to avert the criticism faced by other socially conscious songs, “Saltwater” includes in its lyrics a dash of self-criticism (“what will I think of me the day that I die?”), inserting thus the idea that we are all responsible for the fate of the planet and that our actions may still revert the damage done.
Although not a huge hit on the charts, the merit of “Saltwater” lies in being one of the first pop songs to directly address ecological issues, and one of the first hits to arise consciousness on the need to preserve nature.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
We are a rock revolving around a golden Sun,
We are a billion children rolled into one
So when I hear about the hole in the sky,
Saltwater wells in my eyes.
We climb the highest mountain,
We'll make the desert bloom,
We're so ingenious we can walk on the moon.
But when I hear of how the forests have died,
Saltwater wells in my eyes
[...]
We light the deepest ocean,
Send photographs of Mars,
We're so enchanted by how clever we are.
Why should one baby feel so hungry she cries,
Saltwater wells in my eyes.
18.- Heal the world - Michael Jackson (1991)
Written by Michael Jackson.
Included in his album “Dangerous”, Jackson released this song almost as a follow-up to “Man in the Mirror” (1989), another song with a socially conscious message which became a hit from his previous album.
The antiwar message of “Heal the world” is evident from the cover artwork of its single, and the first few seconds of the song itself, in which a child describes what the ideal world would be.
In contrast with the other songs of this album, “Heal the world” is a hopeful, tender ballad, whose chorus harmonies remind us of “We Are the World”, another socially conscious song written by Jackson.
In spite of the commercial and secular spirit of the song, much of its lyrics reflects Jackson’s education as a Jehovah Witness, who in addition to composing, singing, and producing the song, also created the “Heal the World Foundation”, a charitable organization designed to teach children how to help others, focused on improving the lives of children at social risk.
In 2001, Jackson admitted that "Heal the World" was the song he was most proud to have created, and its message still rings today with unabashed optimism.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
There's a place in your heart, and I know that it is love
And this place it was brighter than tomorrow
And if you really try you'll find there's no need to cry
In this place you'll feel there's no hurt or sorrow
There are ways to get there if you care enough for the living
Make a little space, make a better place.
Heal the world, make it a better place,
For you and for me, and the entire human race.
There are people dying,
If you care enough for the living,
Make a better place for you and for me.
[...]
And the dream we were conceived in will reveal a joyful face
And the world we once believed in will shine again in Grace
Then why do we keep strangling life
Wound this Earth, crucify its soul?
Though it's plain to see, this world is heavenly
Be God's glow.
19.- East Timor - Morten Harket (1995)
Written by Geir Kolbu, Havard Rem, Henning Dahl, and Morten Harket.
Harket has been a strong supporter of the people of East Timor since 1993, when he was approached by an activist, who informed him about its invasion and occupation by Indonesia. Since then, the A-ha vocalist became very vocal about the human right violations carried out in that nation supported by governments such as Norway.
Harket’s activism, which included composing and singing the song included in his solo album “Wild Seed”, put East Timor on the map for many people, who had never heard about the small island or its plight.
Mixing chamber instrumentation with synthetisers, the ballad is a desperate but firm clamour for justice and peace.
Harket performed the song at 1996 Nobel Peace Prize Concert, the same day two men from east Timor received the Nobel Peace Prize for their ongoing efforts to peacefully end the Indonesian occupation of the island.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
Sandalwood trees are evergreen
Cut them down, plant coffee beans
Build no schools, construct no roads
Mark them as fools, let ignorance rule
Leave them stranded on their island
Treat them to the tune of silence
Red is the cross that covers out shame
Every Kingdom, every land
Has its heart in the common man
Silently the tide shifts the sand.
20.- Where is the love? - Black Eyed Peas (2003)
Video: Black Eyed Peas, "Where is the Love?" (4:10)
Written by Justin Timberlake, Will Adams, Jaime Gomez, Allan Pineda, George Pajon Jr., Printz Board, and Michael Fratantuno.
The song originated in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon and the Twin Towers in Manhattan, and in response to the armed action taken by the United States government.
Despite the artists’ initial concerns about the impact and reception the song would have, after its release critics praised it since its release, calling epic, positive, and echoing Marvin Gaye's social meditations.
Others were less impressed, calling it a saccharine hippy anti-gulf war anthem. However, in spite of its detractors, it’s hard to deny the impact that its contagious beat and thought-provoking lyrics caused in the audience, becoming an unexpected summer hit in 2003.
Although the fans of The Black Eyed Peas decried that the band had departed from its original roots with this song, the success of “Where is the love?” opened the ears of an audience that otherwise may have not have listened to the band.
Despite being already two decades old, the message contained in “Where is the love?” is still as relevant and as applicable today and it was back in 2003.
Here are some excerpts from its lyrics:
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate, then you're bound to get irate
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all,
[...]
I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' the wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema,
Whatever happened to the values of humanity?
Whatever happened to the fairness and equality?
Instead of spreading love we're spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading us away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive 'til love is found
Now ask yourself, where is the love?
* * *
All these songs - and more! - demonstrate that art and social sensibilities are not divorced from the massive appeal and the preferences of the audience.
By creating songs with commercial appeal and broadcasting them on the mass media, all these artists managed to make visible important social causes and awoke people’s consciousness, in order to try to make a better world.
Some other pop hits of this period that carry significant social commentary are:
- “Everybody wants to rule the world”, by Tears for Fears (1985)
- “Through the Barricades”, by Spandau Ballet (1986)
- “War”, by Bruce Springsteen (1986)
- “Give me peace on Earth”, by Modern Talking (1986)
- “They Dance Alone”, by Sting (1987)
- “Bullet the Blue Sky”, by U2 (1987)
- “Who will save the world?”, by Modern Talking (1987)
- “Beds are burning”, by Midnight Oil (1987)
- “Fast Car”, by Tracy Chapman (1988)
- “Man in the mirror”, by Michael Jackson (1989)
- “Sleeping Satellite”, by Tasmin Archer (1992)
- “Zombie”, by The Cranberries (1994)
- “7 seconds”, by Youssou N’Dour and Neneh Cherry (1994)
- “They Don’t care about us”, by Michael Jackson (1995)
- “One of Us”, by Joan Osborne (1995)
- “No Man’s Woman”, by Sinead O’Connor (2000)
Perhaps you know some more that you would add to the list?
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