Protest songs are statements for social change—whether they are for civil rights, anti-war efforts, or political reform. Music can be a tool for activism and for collective lament. Many powerful songs highlight a specific instance where injustice is happening or has occurred in the past. 

Woody Guthrie and the Labor Struggle

Several weeks ago I listened to a CD by Woody Guthrie: Hard Travelin’: The ASCH Recordings, Vol. 3. I had heard it several times before, but this particular week, two songs immediately caught my attention. One of the songs is “1913 Massacre,” which describes the tragic 1913 Italian Hall Disaster in Calumet, Michigan. The song memorializes the Christmas Eve tragedy in which 73 people—mostly striking copper miners and their families—died in a stampede caused by a false shout of “fire.” Although the culprit was never officially identified, the lyrics frame the tragedy as a deliberate act of corporate violence against working families. The song is powerful.

In conducting additional research, I found that, six years later—in a World War I case that went all the way to the Supreme Court—Justice Oliver Wendell Homes famously wrote that the First Amendment does not protect someone who falsely shouts “fire” in a crowded theater. This sentiment has never became an official law. 

While Guthrie’s song portrays the 1913 tragedy as an act of deliberate corporate malice, Holmes’ words reflect the dangers of reckless speech. It is a reminder: words can kill. And yet, today, misinformation spreads faster than ever. I support free speech—but I also wish we could better recognize truth from lies.

Another song on the CD is “Ludlow Massacre.” The song describes how striking miners and their families were forced out of their company-owned homes and moved into a tent colony near Ludlow, Colorado.

The coal miners, mostly immigrants from twenty-one different countries, were treated like serfs and were denied almost all rights as human beings—much less rights guaranteed by the State of Colorado and the U. S. Constitution. The miners—angered by the murder of one of their organizers—went on strike against low pay, dangerous conditions, and domination of their lives in towns completely controlled by the mining companies.

The massacre was perpetrated by soldiers from the Colorado National Guard and private guards employed by Colorado Fuel and Iron Company during the Colorado Coalfield War (1913-1914). On April 20, 1914, the tent colony of roughly 1,200 striking coal miners and their families was attacked—approximately twenty-one people were killed, mostly miners’ wives and children. The song lyrics detail the horrifying night when soldiers “snuck around our little tent town” and set the tents on fire with kerosene. 

This was a watershed moment in American labor relations. Historian and author Howard Zinn described it as “the culminating act of perhaps the most violent struggle between corporate power and laboring men in American history.” Congress directed the House Committee on Mines and Mining to investigate the event. Its report was influential in promoting child labor laws and an eight-hour workday.

As I listened to Woody Guthrie, I wondered where have all the folksingers gone? Where are our Woody Guthries? Where are our songs, casting light on injustices happening right now?

Echos of the 60s

The 1960s could be viewed as the golden age of protest music. It was a period of intense social activism—with a diverse array of causes, ranging from civil rights to anti-war. There were marches, sit-ins, and a vibrant hippie culture that personified a hopeful idealism. Many believed that peace and love would prevail.

A few of the songwriters and artists active in the 1960s who wrote and performed protest songs were Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke, Pete Seeger, Marvin Gaye, Joan Baez, Phil Ochs, Nina Simone, the band Buffalo Springfield, Arlo Guthrie, and Bob Marley.

In 1970, Neil Young wrote “Ohio” in reaction to the Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970, when the Ohio National Guard gunned down peaceful protesters. Four were killed and one left paralyzed.

I remember the Kent State massacre. It was sad and terrifying—and reminds me of recent events. I wonder if we have become numb to the horrors, oppression, and unfairness—not to mention the pure evil—taking place around us. I hope not. 

Modern Protest Voices

Are there contemporary protest songs? Yes! Here are a few.

Bruce Springsteen just released a new song, “Streets of Minneapolis.” He condemns the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. The song is unexpectedly hopeful as he celebrates the protests and the city’s unity. It has become an anthem for contemporary movements.

Folk Singer Jesse Welles has written politically charged protest songs on topics such as capitalism, microplastics, and the fentanyl crisis. He is described as making a comeback of the protest song. Welles has been nominated in four categories at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards this year.

A small list of other current protest songs:

Billy Bragg — “City of Heroes”
He wrote, recorded, and posted “City of Heroes” within 24 hours, in response to the murders of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by ICE agents.

Dave Matthews — “Making It Great”
Matthews debuted his song “Making It Great” on January 24, 2026.

Amy Grant — “The 6th of January (Yasgur’s Farm)”
This is her first new single in almost a decade and she released the song on January 6, 2026. With references to Woodstock and John Lennon, she draws inspiration from the idealism of that era. The lyrics are hopeful and encourage us to choose to move forward together.

Lucinda Williams’s latest album — The World’s Gone Wrong 
The title song premiered on January 7, 2026. Other songs on the album include:

“The World’s Gone Wrong”
“Something’s Gotta Give”
“How Much Did You Get for Your Soul”
“So Much Trouble in the World,” a song written by Bob Marley
“Freedom Speaks”

“And now she’s given us “World’s Gone Wrong,” the protest album I have been waiting for, a set of songs that speak plainly and forcefully to the dark moment we are living through without hedging or nostalgia . . .

. . . Taken as a whole, “World’s Gone Wrong” isn’t just timely — it’s formidable. It stands among the strongest albums of Williams’ career, and one of the most uncompromising protest records of recent years.”

— Mark Pelavin, freelance music writer and critic
from his review in the online magazine: Americana Highways: on the road collecting the stories of Americana music

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Joe Clark — “Believe Your Eyes: A Protest Song for 2026”

Tyler Childers title track from his album — “Long Violent History” 
The album was released in 2020. Childers cited the Black Lives Matter movement, along with the Battle of Blair Mountain in 1921, as the two main influences on the album’s themes.

I had not heard of the following artists until I did more research for this post. They focus on socially relevant songs and protest songs.

Crys Matthews — “Sleeves Up”
This song is a rallying cry. It extends an invitation to step forward, get involved, and do the work. “Sleeves Up” is the Folk Alliance International Song of the Year 2026.

Kyshona — “Fallen People”

Yasmin Williams — “After the Storm”

Carsie Blanton — “Little Flame”

Leyla McCalla — “Freedom is a Constant Struggle,” a song written by Roberta Slavitt

Why It Still Matters

Where are our modern Woody Guthries? They are here. Everyone mentioned in this blog post is having an impact—and, I am sure there are many others. Some do not make it to mainstream radio stations. You may need to seek them out, as many musicians rely on word of mouth or social media to spread their music.

Music, and specifically songs, can shed a light on the cruelty being perpetrated on innocent people all around the world. Will we listen? Will we do something about it?

Anyone of us could have been born to another family or in another country—with a different color skin. We need to focus on what makes us one. We may find we have more similarities than differences. Choose love over hate and division. Listen. Speak out. Sing. But above all: don’t give up on kindness.