I’ve been down for the revolution since I learned the definition of the word.  Oppressed communities, animals (big and small), the environment…countless things about the world they’ve created and we live in that I’d like to flip upside down.  In light of the latest spotlight on the U.S. propensity for capital punishment following this week’s executions of Troy Davis in Georgia and Derrick Mason in Alabama, the time feels right to think about a revolution.  Like starting one.

I have nothing new to add to the discussion.  But music always helps.

So here are ten of my favorite songs (feel free to add what I missed) about change that can be created by passionate people through revolution:

10) John Lennon – “Power to the People”

“Get on your feet and out on the street.”

 

9)  Sizzla – “Takin’ Over”

“We’re taking over and we’ve got nothing to fear.”

(terrible video…but I can’t blame them…and it’s in Amsterdam!)

 

8 ) Public Enemy – “Fight the Power”

“What we need is awareness. We can’t get careless.”

7) Marvin Gaye – “What’s Goin’ On?”

“You know we’ve got to find a way to bring some lovin’ here today.”

 

6) Arrested Development – “Revolution”

“It ain’t like we’ve never seen blood before…let’s talk revolution now.”

 

5) James Brown – “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud”

“Brother we won’t quit till we get our share.”

 

4) Bob Marley – “Get Up, Stand Up”

“You can fool some people sometimes. But you can’t fool all the people all the time.”

 

3) Tracy Chapman – “Talkin’ ‘Bout a Revolution”

“Finally the tables are starting to turn.”

 

2) Prince – “Party Up”

“Fightin’ war is such a fuckin’ bore. Party up.”

 

1) Nina Simone – “Revolution”

“The only way we’ll be able to stand, in fact, is when you get your foot off our back.”