"We Shall Overcome" and other songs for hope and change

The conflict in Ukraine certainly isn't the first time the entire world was united in protest over injustice. But it is definitely the biggest moment in recent time. Every war is unjust, and it's always innocent bystanders who suffer the most. Something we, as a collective, have realized at LEAST since the Korean war. But somehow, wars keep happening. And people keep getting hurt and losing their lives and livelihood for nothing.

It's depressing, and it's understandable to want to distance oneself from the news, especially when it doesn't affect you directly.

For most people, music is the biggest comfort. And I think songs of hope, justice, and peace can go a long way in changing our mindset from "Everything is awful, and there's nothing I can do" to "No wait, maybe I *can* do *something*" Which is what we all need right now. Because the fight for freedom is a lifelong fight.

I've noticed that in protest music, there are two moods songs in the genre:

1) The world is awful, and here's why, but there's nothing we can do so don't even bother trying to make a change.

2) The world has some awful things in it, but people as a whole can do amazing things if they work together to make the change.

I think the latter is the type of protest song we should be focusing on right now. So here are songs that will put the energy of support, change, and freedom--back into your life as we continue to stand with Ukraine.

"We Shall Overcome"-Folk song

This song of overcoming strife, is said to have first originated in 1901 as hymn by Reverend Charles Albert Tindley, called "I'll Overcome Some Day." From there it continued morphing into a song of both protest and hope. Laborers on strike--mostly African-American women--from the American Tobacco Company, sang the song during their strike. After the tune made its rounds to a nearby research institute--Highlander Folk School--it was printed in a bulletin by an organization for working class music, called People's Songs. There, it was noticed by one Pete Seeger--A founding member of People's Songs. The song was then adopted by the Civil Rights Movement, when Joan Baez led a crowd of 300,000 people in singing it at the Lincoln Memorial.

From that point on, the song has shown up in social movements all across the globe: From anti-apartheid to Northern Ireland's Civil Rights movement, and many others. The lyrics are not only hopeful, but they can also be read as an affirmation of absolutism.

"Don't Give Up"-Peter Gabriel

The inspiration for this song was Dorothea Lange's famous pictures taken during the Great Depression. (Most famous one being Migrant Mother.) Though, on its release in 1987, it became a song of support and encouragement to working class Englanders under Margaret Thatcher's rule. The song volleys back and forth between a depressed, defeated husband not knowing where else to go in his time of extreme distress and uncertainty. Kate Bush sings the part of a wife, reassuring him that someday things will get better, and he can always lean on her and friends for love and support.

It's a chilling song that always manages to make me quite emotional. It can apply to the stresses of economic depression, war, or even just mental illness. But the take away from it all is that: You're not alone. Keep fighting.

"Die Gedanken Sind Frei"-German Folk Song

"Die Gedanken Sind Frei" translates from German to "Thoughts are free." It originated around 1842, and is a protest song of sorts, encouraging freedom of thought and freedom of expression. It was famously used among anti-Nazi resistance groups in WWII.

This song not only makes me think of the citizens of Ukraine, but also the Russian people bravely taking a stand against their oppressive government. It's a powerful song reminding the powers that be that they can't control the thoughts of the masses, no matter how hard they may try.

"What The World Needs Now"-Jackie DeShannon

Like a lot of songs on this list, this one was written in response to a war. The Vietnam war, to be exact--which spawned a whole lot of great protest songs. But this simple, yet soulful song, almost didn't happen. Penned by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, the song was shopped around to be given away to big popstars of the time, who all turned it down. Bacharach was reluctant to play it for Jackie DeShannon, beginning to lose hope for it. But she liked it and agreed to sing it. And good thing too, or else we wouldn't have this powerful ballad of peace.

"Lean On Me"-Bill Withers

Another fairly simple song actually was not inspired by war or conflict, but rather by homesickness. Withers had moved to Los Angeles and found himself pining for a community as close knit as his hometown back in Virginia. Regardless of the song's intent, it can still find its way into everyone's hearts due to its universally understood feeling of desiring comfort and support. We all need someone to lean on, indeed.

"On The Turning Away"-Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd have had quite a few political, antiwar songs in their time. However, while most of them are nihilistic and dark, "On The Turning Away" is quite a bit more hopeful. As somewhat of a Pink Floyd historian myself, I could go on and on explaining why the sudden shift occurred. But the short version is: Roger Waters--personally affected by WWII after losing his father--was no longer in the band when this song came to fruition. Which definitely helped make it more uplifting and less...tragic.

The song is a beautiful plea to the listener to not turn away from those in need, lay down their arms, and recognize the humanity of those around them.

"Uprising"-Muse

Glam rock and protest music don't often go together. But when they do, the result can be fire. "Uprising" is an example of this. While this wasn't Muse's first hit, it definitely became their most well-known and instantly recognizable. It's a rousing reminder to the listener that there are more of "us" than there are of "them" (oppressive government officials) and if we unite, we can take them down. Even if it means death.

"Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards"-Billy Bragg

This is one of my personal favorite songs of protest. Billy Bragg, if you don't know who he is, is somewhat of the British Pete Seeger--Huge advocate for worker's rights and sticking it to the man. This song has some of the most clever lyrics I've ever heard. And instead of whining about how awful the world is, Bragg reminds people that change takes work and to see changes you need to be proactive. ("In a perfect world we'd all sing in tune/But this is reality so give me some room") And also, the song is just catchy and fun to sing along to.

"Tubthumping"-Chumbawumba

Little known fact about this one-hit wonder band: They are self-professed anarchists. And while vocalist Dunstan Bruce admitted that this song was "not our most political" song--you can still feel the resilient, fighting spirit oozing from it. Repetitive, but infectiously catchy; a fun song to shout at the top of your lungs with friends or alone. But it's still a good song to keep one's momentum going, and not let oppressive forces get in your way.

"Heroes"-David Bowie

Bowie said this was intended to be a love song--about "an anonymous couple" (later turned out to be his co-producer who was having an affair) he spotted locked in an embrace right next to the Berlin wall. And while it most definitely does have a romance to it, the idea of normal people defying the odds and becoming heroes in their own right--even if they're dysfunctional in their own ways--is definitely a present theme. That is the reason I have included it on this list, even though it isn't explicitly about sticking it to any "man." The song has a power and drive to it that will definitely bring out one's inner hero, whatever that may entail to them.

"Peace Train"-Cat Stevens

This uplifting song was criticized in the music press at the time for being willfully ignorant to the fact that things aren't getting better. I don't view it as such, personally. It sounds to be more of a beckoning to all listeners to join in the peace and love movement. However you read it, it's a catchy little song that will make you smile and feel inspired to be a kinder person.

"Get Up, Stand Up"-Bob Marley and The Wailers

While touring Haiti, Marley was said to be driven to write this song after viewing all the poverty on the island. It can be a bit harsher and bleak than some of the other songs on this list. But it does offer a call to action for people being on the receiving end of oppression: Stand up for your rights! And although Marley wrote it with poverty in mind, it can work for any number of situations where someone is suffering because of a powerful person's greed.