Music has always been a highly effective method for driving social change. It can be a great way to give a voice to those who are marginalized or draw attention to issues within society where change is presumably needed. In this article, we’ll use a single example from each decade in the past century to show how music can speak louder than words and drive change in the world.
“Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday (1939)
“Strange Fruit” was a song that depicted vivid imagery of the realities of those facing racism in America, specifically, the horrifying practice of lynching. The song was very controversial, putting the song’s performer, Billie Holiday, in danger each time she played it.
“This Land Is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie (1940)
Woody Guthrie was a blue-collar musician whose songs often centered on hardships faced by the working class and the poor in America. “This Land Is Your Land” highlighted economic inequality during the Great Depression. Tragically, this is still a key issue that is far too often glossed over or deflected by other more “hot button” sociopolitical topics. According to a recent New York Times article, In America in 2025, the top 10% of families control about 69% of the nation’s wealth, while the bottom 50% of households share only about 3% of the total wealth. Maybe we need another song like “This Land Is Your Land” to remind us of this blinding disparity.
“Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash (1955)
In the 1950s, Johnny Cash released “Folsom Prison Blues” which sought to humanize incarcerated people and drive reform to the American prison system. Cash, himself, even testified before Congress in 1972, shortly after the song experienced a resurgence after being included on the “Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison” album. He specifically pushed for more rehabilitation within prisons and diversion programs for juvenile offenders. His music helped to deliver this message and drive prison reform, however, there is still a lot of work to be done in the realm of prison reform, even half a century later.
“Blowin’ in the Wind” by Bob Dylan (1963)
The 1960s were a pivotal time in world history. In America, specifically, we experienced the civil rights movement, which had a close alignment with the artistic community, and as a result, we got some of the finest folk music ever made. We can’t begin to talk about folk music without talking about Bob Dylan and his song “Blowin’ in the Wind” which poetically encapsulated a lot of the topics within the Civil Rights Movement.
“Imagine” by John Lennon (1971)
The most famous song in John Lennon’s solo career, “Imagine,” became famous because of the backdrop it was released to. The Vietnam conflict was raging, and the world seemed to be spiraling into a bevy of conflict and unrest. In the midst of all this madness, Lennon made a plea for people to think for themselves and imagine a world free of the constraints on the human race. The lyrics ask us to imagine a world without countries, possessions, or religions. It remains an anthem for change today.
“Beds Are Burning” by Midnight Oil (1987)
The late 1980s were a time for hairspray and spandex within the rock scene. So, a song about the land rights of Aboriginal people in Australia probably was not a popular topic for a hit song, but nevertheless, Midnight Oil wrote “Beds are Burning,” shedding light on the subject. It was the first time that many people outside Australia (and some in Australia) had learned of the topic.
“Killing In The Name” by Rage Against The Machine (1992)
There could be an entire book written about songs inspired by the 1992 LA Riots, which were sparked by the brutal beating of Rodney King at the hands of the LAPD. But the song “Killing In The Name” seemed to bring it to the mainstream with more vigor than any other song, aside from maybe “Cop Killer”, by Body Count, which was a bit too controversial for radio play. The song called out police corruption, racial profiling, and the justice system that refused to hold guilty parties accountable.
“Where Is the Love?” by Black Eyed Peas (2003)
The song “Where Is The Love?” was a massive hit in the early 2000s, featuring a guest spot from Justin Timberlake. The song calls attention to a lot of the issues that were prevalent after the events of 9/11 and the school shooting at Columbine. The song tackled topics ranging from gang crime to pollution, to terrorism (foreign and domestic), racism, government hypocrisy, war, and intolerance, all with a simple question: Where is the Love? A question that many of us are still asking ourselves today.
“Alright” by Kendrick Lamar (2010)
Kendrick Lamar has deservingly become an icon in the music industry, even playing the Super Bowl halftime show last year. His 2010 song “Alright” became a key anthem against racism and police brutality, encouraging the Black Lives Matter movement.
“Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X (2021)
Lil Nas X has experienced success in the realms of hip hop, pop, rock, and country. His flaunting of his own sexuality became a lightning rod for controversy, perhaps due to the fact that he is explicitly and unapologetically queer. Using sexuality in music is nothing new, but Lil Nas X’s LGBTQ-friendly version of it has caused controversy, exposed some deeply rooted issues in music industry institutions, and shone a light on LGBTQ rights and visibility. People have been chanting “We’re here, we’re queer” since the early 1990s, but Lil Nas X, amplified that chant and brought it to the top of the charts with “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).”
