On social media (such as Twitter, Facebook, Google+) I often post a libertarian song of the day. I didn’t really think anyone really cared or paid attention. That is until I didn’t do so for a few days, then I had all kinds of people asking if I was OK!
Below is a list of songs I believe have at least some libertarian (small l) spirit to them. Yes, some of these do have swear words and adult concepts. This list is far from complete. I just add to it as I do my ‘libertarian song of the day’ thing (and I’m not gonna bother putting older ones I posted until I get to them again).
I have also included the link to each artists website. This is my way to give credit where credit is due. Some of these artists such as Rush are well known and obvious, but I also try to find some that are possibly outside of the mainstream.
Alice Cooper – Freedom – YouTube – “Cuz I never walk away from what I know is right”
Barry McGuire – Eve of Destruction – YouTube – “And, tell me over and over and over and over again, my friend, You don’t believe We’re on the eve Of destruction”. One of the best anti-war songs ever.
The Beatles – Taxman – YouTube – “If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet”. Do I really need to explain this one??
The Charlie Daniels Band – Long Haired Country Boy – YouTube w/lyrics – “But I ain’t askin’ nobody for nothin’, If I can’t get it on my own. You don’t like the way I’m livin’, You just leave this long-haired country boy alone.” Sums up self-reliance pretty damn well!
Cheap Trick – Taxman, Mr. Thief – YouTube – “You work hard, you went hungry, Now the taxman is out to get you” – Sums up the income tax pretty damn well.
Cream – Politician – YouTube – “I support the left, tho’ I’m leanin’ to the right. But I’m just not there when it’s coming to a fight.” I think those lyrics sum up the morals of politicians quite well. Plus you gotta love the bass playing in this song!
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Fortunate Son – YouTube – Big government forced class warfare (literal and figurative) are tackled in rock classic!
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Who’ll Stop the Rain – YouTube w/lyrics – “Caught up in the fable I watched the tower grow, Five year plans and new deals wrapped in golden chains.” This song just gets more relevant every year.
George Jones – White Lightning – YouTube – “Well the “G” men, “T” men, revenuers, too; Searchin’ for the place where he made his brew”. Great song about a moonshiner from a true music legend (RIP).
Hank Williams Jr. – Country Boy Can Survive – YouTube – Don’t get much more of an independent libertarian feel than this classic song from Bocephus.
John Cougar Mellencamp – Authority Song – YouTube w/lyrics – I’ve always seen this song being about the plight of libertarians, set to a nice beat!
The Kinks – 20th Century Man – YouTube – “I was born in a welfare state, ruled by bureaucracy”. Its tough growing up in a country destroyed by 20th century politics.
Living Colour – Cult of Personality – YouTube – “I exploit you, still you love me. I tell you one and one makes three. I’m the cult of personality.” I can think of many political leaders this applies to.
Merle Haggard – America First – YouTube – “Freedom is stuck in reverse”. Merle puts forth a good case for changing our current overseas interventionism ways.
PokerFace – Calling For a Revolution – YouTube – “Its time to stop the tyranny you keep pushing thru your bills”. This song rocks from a freedom perspective!
PokerFace – I’d Rather Die Than Be Your Slave – YouTube (live) – “He’s come to take away my liberties” A great song for the freedom movement.
Rush – Anthem – YouTube – “Well I know they’ve always to you selfishness was wrong, yes it was for me, not you, I came to write this song!”. Don’t much closer to a Randian derived song.
Rush – Freewill – YouTube w/lyrics – “I will choose a path that’s clear, I will choose Free Will!” and “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice!”. A song to live by!
Rush – Red Barchetta – YouTube w/lyrics – Pure freedom best sums up this classic song.
Rush – The Trees – YouTube – “by hatchet, axe and saw”, don’t get much obvious reference to abuse of government power.
Rush – Tom Sawyer – YouTube w/lyrics – “Though his mind is not for rent”. One of the greatest lines in any song ever!
Sammy Hagar – I Can’t Drive 55 – YouTube – A song from the failed attempt to curb gas consumption by the federal government.
Steppenwolf – Monster – YouTube – I completely forgot about this song until The Circle Bastiat blog posted about it. It is a song that seems more relevant each year.
Steve Earle – Copperhead Road – YouTube – ” Well the DEAs got a chopper in the air, I wake up screaming like I’m back over there”. The comparison of alcohol and drug prohibition in this song is dead on.
Ten Years After – I’d Love to Change the World – YouTube w/lyrics – “I’d love to change the world, But I don’t know what to do, So I’ll leave it up to you.” The verses in this song seem to look at the confusing contradictions between the left and the right. The whole left/right situation has made them not care about politics or the outcome.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Refugee – YouTube – “Everybody’s had to fight to be free” – This song is a perfect analogy for citizens being victim of government.
Waylon Jennings – Outlaw Shit – YouTube – “What started out to be a joke, the law don’t understand.” The law has no common sense in the failed drug war. It is still hard to believe country legends like Waylon were hassled by the feds.
The Who – Won’t Get Fooled Again – YouTube (Live in Texas ’75) – “Then I’ll get on my knees and pray, we don’t get fooled again”. The lyrics in this speak of political revolution.
Poster Comment:
More at the link - I left off rap songs.
