Ani Difranco
Not a Pretty Girl
Tracey Tanenbaum interviews Ani Difranco about the inspiration for this 1995 feminist anthem.
Listen
Ani Difranco performing "Not a Pretty Girl"
(live audio with photos, YouTube)
The Dixie Chicks
Not Ready to Make Nice
The Dixie Chicks fell from grace when Natalie Maines criticized President Bush prior to the Iraq War. "Not Ready to Make Nice" was their musical response.
Listen
Scene from the documentary Dixie Chicks: Shut up and Sing (YouTube)
Crosby Stills Nash & Young
Ohio
Dan Reed tells us about the CSN&Y song inspired by the 1970 shootings at Kent State.
Listen
Video for "Ohio" with Kent State footage (YouTube)
Merle Haggard
Okie from Muskogee
Roger LaMay talks about Merle Haggard's 1969 anthem in support of small town traditional values.
Listen
Merle Haggard performs "Okie from Muskogee" in 1969 (YouTube)
The Impressions with
Curtis Mayfield
People Get Ready
Helen Leicht talks about this uplifting civil rights tune which borrows from his gospel roots.
Listen
Footage of the late Curtis Mayfield performing "People Get Ready" (YouTube)
Patti Smith
People Have the Power
Bob Bumbera explores Patti Smith's 1988 feel good anthem "People Have the Power."
Listen
Promo video of "People Have the Power" (YouTube)
Aretha Franklin
Respect
Michaela Majoun talks about the Otis Redding tune. In 1967 Aretha Franklin turned it into an anthem for the feminist and civil rights movements.
Listen
Aretha performs "Respect" live in 1967 (YouTube)
Gil Scott-Heron
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Dan Reed reports on Gil Scott-Heron's 1971 song, a bold statement against cultural conformity and a precursor of rap.
Listen
Part 1 of a BBC documentary on Gil Scott-Heron (YouTube)
Black Flag - Rise Above /
Minor Threat - Straight Edge
Beth Warshaw-Duncan reports on the Hardcore music movement of the 1980's and two of its emblematic songs.
Listen
Black Flag perform "Rise Above" live in 1984 (YouTube)
Live footage of Minor Threat performing "Straight Edge" in 1980 (YouTube)
Bruce Springsteen
The Rising
Dan Reed muses about Bruce Springsteen's story of a firefighter's heroic effort to save survivors in one of the Twin Towers on 9/11.
Listen
Springsteen performs "The Rising" at the 2002 Grammy Awards (YouTube)
Janis Ian
Society's Child
Tracey Tanenbaum reports on Janis Ian's controversial song about an interracial-relationship recorded in the mid-60's.
Listen
Janis Ian performs "Society's Child" on the "The Smothers Brothers" (YouTube)
Billie Holiday
Strange Fruit
Tracey Tanenbaum reports on 1939 ballad about lynching made famous by Billie Holiday.
Listen
Billie Holiday performs "Strange Fruit" (YouTube)
Sun City
Bob Bumbera reports on Steven Van Zandt's 1985 tune intended to score a blow against Apartheid in South Africa.
Listen
Video of Artists Against Apartheid (YouTube)
Bob Dylan
The Times They Are-A Changin'
Gene Shay reflects on his encounter with Bob Dylan and his impressions of this song.
Listen
A young Dylan performs "The Times They Are-A Changin'" in 1964 (YouTube)
We Shall Overcome
Gene Shay reflects on the power of this old song in his life.
Listen
Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Sessions Band perform "We Shall Overcome" (YouTube)
Marvin Gaye
What's Going On
Tracey Tanenbaum reports on Marvin Gaye's seminal song "What's Going On," a tune that prescribed love as an antedote to a nation in turmoil.
Listen
Marvin Gaye performs "What's Going On" in 1973 (Excerpt from Save the Children concert film, YouTube)
Which Side Are You On?
Gene Shay talks about this pro-union song penned by Florence Reece in 1931.
Listen
Recording of Pete Seeger performing "Which Side Are You On?" (recording with still photos, YouTube)
