When the revolution comes
When the revolution comes, it will more than likely be on a Monday. But we’ll need the weekend to prepare. And a soundtrack. Here are some suggestions; feel free to add your own.
When the revolution comes – The Last Poets
Jailbreak – Yothu Yindi
(We don’t need this) Fascist groove thang – Heaven 17
And lastly, being May Day tomorrow, one for all workers of the world.
Joe Hill – Paul Robeson.
Plus two nominations from Jeff, who claims he could list them all day.
8 gangsters – Perfect
And Fidel Castro – The Skatalites
The revolution will not be televised
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5XuDqC1a6Y&feature=related
(warning: offensive language)
Punk ain’t no religious cult
Punk means thinking for yourself
You ain’t hardcore cos you spike your hair
When a jock still lives inside your head
Chorus x 2
If you’ve come to fight, get outa here
You ain’t no better than the bouncers
We ain’t trying to be police
When you ape the cops it ain’t anarchy
[Repeat chorus]
Ten guys jump one, what a man
You fight each other, the police state wins
Stab your backs when you trash our halls
Trash a bank if you’ve got real balls
You still think swastikas look cool
The real nazis run your schools
They’re coaches, businessmen and cops
In a real fourth reich you’ll be the first to go
[Repeat chorus]
You’ll be the first to go
You’ll be the first to go
You’ll be the first to go
Unless you think
(haha recaptcha says out scathing)
(Clare, I embedded it for you — Jacinda)
Thank you
Jacinda, I get the distinct impression you just might be a bit of a negrophile …not that there’s anything wrong with that…
Maxine, you have left me speechless.
The song Carlos Puebla wrote for Che Guevara when he left Cuba should be in this list. Here’s the video of the Buenavist Social Club version of the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po09lcDxXIA&feature=related
And here the translation of the lyrics:
We learned to love you
From the heights of history
With the Sun of your bravery
You laid siege to Death
Chorus:
The deep (or beloved) transparency of your presence
became clear here
Commandante Che Guevara
Your glorious and strong hand
Fires at history
When all of Santa Clara
Awakens to see you
Chorus
You come burning the winds
With spring suns
To plant your flag
With the light of your smile
Chorus
Your revolutionary love
Leads you to a new undertaking
Where they are awaiting the firmness
Of your liberating arm
Chorus
We will carry on
As we did along with you
And with Fidel we say to you :
Until Always, Commandante
Chorus
(Also embedded for you, Jurgens)
Thanks Jacinda
viva!
Heaven 17 were a bunch of posers who had less interest in revolution than in their hair.
Now this, on the other hand …
Revolutionary Spirit – Wild Swans (1982)
[In my defence] I only recently discovered the Heaven 17 track and the reason I included it was because I was thinking about fascism this morning. So it seemed perfectly suited. At the time. I stand corrected now. Though I still like the song.
It’s a fine choice and a good song Jacinda – and certainly Heaven 17 were the only mainstream pop band to refer to Reagan as a fascist, so hats off to them in that regard!
Yeah, good call on their behalf.
When the revolution comes words will take the place of meaning.
Robert Wyatt – Gharbadzegi
hehehe, Jacinda it was meant to be a compliment – hope it was taken that way!
Ne·gro·phile (nē′grō fīl′)
noun
a person who admires, likes, or champions blacks, their culture, etc.
I know, I was just embarrassed.
And just realised I omitted Nina Simone from my list.
This must be on the list:
If you put Nina Simone up, you’d also have to include Billie Holliday doing ‘Strange Fruit’, still a song to send
shivers up your spine.
Okay, it’s added. (But you should know I prefer Nina’s version.)
Wow, thank you. How cool is this? Its like having
a virtual DJ.
As cool as Nina is, preferring her version of
‘Strange Fruit’ to Billie’s is very close to heresy.
Actually amazed that no-one has thought of Marley’s
‘Redemption Song’ either his own version or Joe Strummers.
I’m with Stephen. Gotta be Billie for me.
Oh, I wouldn’t be coy about it. You have many kindred in the Overland ranks. Take Sparrow’s longing to be a white rasta, for example. I’ve noticed you guys have staked out regions
What a great idea for a post! Good one Jacinda
The Clash – White Riot
Inti-Illimani – En Libertad
The Saints – I’m Stranded
Dead Kennedys – Holiday In Cambodia
I was gonna post the youtube link for ‘Holiday in Cambodia’ but it’s not great quality – it’s a definite for the soundtrack. I really wanted to put Melanie’s ‘Lay Down’ too, but thought I might be branded…
Branded? I grew up on Melanie. ['Psychotherapy' and 'Leftover wine' still two of my favourites.]
What the heck – if I have no fear, then I want this on the soundtrack too…
Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit
and this!
Beethoven’s 9th – conducted by Karajan
oh help me! I’m addicted
Laurie Anderson O Superman
(tried to embed but no cigar)
Excellent! Thanks Jacinda, you negriphile you..
viz:
“Black man gotta lotta problems
But they don’t mind throwing a brick
White people got to school
Where they teach you how to be thick…”
The Revolution is Ever Now
The Revolution is Social
The Revolution is Political
The Revolution is a Private Matter
The Revolution is the Event We Create
The Revolution is the Event We Need
The Revolution is Sensible
The Revolution is Required
The Revolution is Inevitable
The Revolution is for Me And for You
The Revolution is for All of Us
The Revolution Begins Inside
The Revolution is Televised on Youtube
The Revolution is Quiet
The Revolution is A Riot
The Revolution is Right In Your Face
The Revolution is A Happening Thing
The Revolution Takes Time
The Revolution is Waking Up to Oneself
The Revolution is Waking Up to The World
The Revolution is A Dream
The Revolution is Personal
The Revolution is Intimate
The Revolution is Re-cycled
The Revolution is New and Improved
The Revolution is Consciousness
The Revolution is Here
No Internationale? Everyone should at least know the chorus.
But in addition to that, this list need some hip-hop:
The Coup – Piss on your Grave,
Public Enemy – the entirety of It takes a nation of millions….
Could not agree more — and hip-hop is my preferred genre (just thought I’d been playing/tweeting/boasting about it too much lately)
Here is your request embedded:
And ‘Don’t believe the hype’ because it is one my all-time favourites:
And true, about knowing the Internationale:
[In English]
Arise ye workers [starvelings] from your slumbers
Arise ye prisoners of want
For reason in revolt now thunders
And at last ends the age of cant.
Away with all your superstitions
Servile masses arise, arise
We’ll change henceforth [forthwith] the old tradition [conditions]
And spurn the dust to win the prize.
So comrades, come rally
And the last fight let us face
The Internationale unites the human race.
So comrades, come rally
And the last fight let us face
The Internationale unites the human race.
No more deluded by reaction
On tyrants only we’ll make war
The soldiers too will take strike action
They’ll break ranks and fight no more
And if those cannibals keep trying
To sacrifice us to their pride
They soon shall hear the bullets flying
We’ll shoot the generals on our own side.
No saviour from on high delivers
No faith have we in prince or peer
Our own right hand the chains must shiver
Chains of hatred, greed and fear
E’er the thieves will out with their booty [give up their booty]
And give to all a happier lot.
Each [those] at the forge must do their duty
And we’ll strike while the iron is hot.
You have to sing it in French, dude. It sounds lame in English
Stephen, I have only ever sung it in English. (Russian also version also good.)
if we ever meet, I’ll teach you the French version.
‘Debout la damne de la terre…” etc
You can really holler it out in French.
I went to a demo once where this was sung and the
lyric handout read ” reason in revolt now thunders, now ends the age of Kant”.
Russian would be excellent. Sung by an army of basses.
Y’all too earnest. Pulp’s ‘Different Class’, in its entirety, is what you want. Class war + Farfisa + Disco = REVOLUTION.
That question is central to hip hop too. In this climate, a throwaway line from Ghostface is worth more than an entire Dead Prez album. But call me immature, but while Dead Prez can certainly be unintentionally funny in their deployment of what can only be called gangsta-pc (mind Sex?), I still find it hilarious that the coup bother to stop their whole song so we can have audio of boots pissing on George Washington’s grave.
when the ‘real’ revolution comes, it will start as a soundtrack in the mind, on the slowest news day of the decade, and it will surprise even those who are involved.
yes
I reckon Aussie band iNsuRge should get a look in. (Or maybe I’m just being nostalgic.) Found two tracks on YouTube…
Speculator
Political Prisoners
i thought the revolution had come. i thought i heard the soundtrack, but then i woke up and… well Jarvis says it best:
Standout lyrics:
I wish they were running the world – the real deal, I mean.
Excellent
people!
jeez did that work?
Without a doubt. Top of the list.
Jacinda, Nina Simone’s Revolution has been a bit of a revolution for me – thank you. And thanks for all your work on this fantastic post. Viva!
also worth remembering…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmaWDCH2tBg
fantastic jacinda. i’ll be dancing when the revolution comes. lively up yourselves:
so you’ve got the soundtrack, when’s the revolution? (overland mayday party?)
(captcha – the wickeder)
Lee Scratch Perry. Nuff said.
Moana and the Moahunters – Rebel In Me
In that case, there has to be this:
David Bowie: Rebel Rebel
exactly what i was thinking five minutes ago! david’s my man. thanks for adding him clare.
☺ there’s going to be some dancing going on at this party
Embed failure so here’s Bowie 1984/Dodo live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUGelOOcePs
Yoko Ono: Woman Power
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4puCtdG3Mk&feature=related
Working class hero, John Lennon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njG7p6CSbCU
Helen Reddy I Am Woman
hmmm – recaptcha says shrapnel in: am I in for some flak for this one?
Linton Kwesi Johnson:
Fascists on de attack
we will fight dem back
we gotta smash their brains in
cz they ain’t got nothin in em
oh and i’ll be needing a drink when the revolution comes. take it away john lee hooker
(even better captcha: sulfured workers)
Since when doesn’t revolution involve drinking and dancing? ‘If there won’t be dancing at the revolution, I’m not coming.’
That’s why I can’t believe The Pogues aren’t on the list.
exactly what i was thinking jacinda and clare – the pogues. and this song is the one.
Wouldn’t be right to leave this one out!
My last attempt to embed a video failed and I had to post the link for Fink’s Sort of Revolution afterward – here is the link for this one in case the embed code doesn’t work again:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgcxd9wtXUE
The revolution will not happen between these thighs –
Thank you, Kakariki.
Has no-one posted the Clash?
Yeah, I suggested White riot, which Jacinda embedded for me, but ‘Know Your Rights’ would have to kick off any revolutionary soundtrack I think.
Neil Young Ohio
ha! recaptcha says ‘banning groups’
Ani DiFranco and Utah Phillips – Pie in the sky
But after the revolution, I will be playing the trumpet. Every day.
Well how good is this. I just got home from the May Day Toast where we had a wonderful rendition of the Internationale from the Illawarra Solidarity Choir (in English). Happy May Day.
We might contrast this cavalcade of musical goodness with the list compiled by National Review of the fifty greatest conservative rock songs, which is, as you might expect, a catalogue of Fail.
Yeah — good luck with that. They’ve got U2 (and they’re welcome to them); we’ve got Bad Brains.
‘conservative rock’ good gracious – sadly, one would have hoped that was an oxymoron … but no: just moronic
I had a quick look at this list … I found it confusing. Is it me, or them, that doesn’t understand irony?
so when’s the party then overland?
Not today, unfortunately. There’s proofreading to be done.
oh yeah. work. and i’ve got editing to do. but i’m serious about a party.
Pink Floyd: Us and Them
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlY-JlE5ZCo
and that’s goodnight from me and goodnight from her
Ooh, ooh, I have to add the following:
Saul Williams: List of Demands
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1llNYAlYrc
And, with some trepidation, this, too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvkbZfXK25E
I’M ON A ROAD TRIP OKAY AND THEY’RE MAKING ME LISTEN TO COUNTRY MUSIC
Stephanie, couldn’t embed either of these videos. Sorry. (Saul Williams is so unbelievably cool.)
Lauryn Hill – The Mystery of Iniquity
Lauryn Hill – I Get Out
Lauryn has so much heart for the revolution!
Hey,what about some Bob Dylan: Masters of War (YouTube Video coming)
Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build all the bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks.
You that never done nothin’
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it’s your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly.
Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain.
You fasten all the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion’
As young people’s blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud.
You’ve thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain’t worth the blood
That runs in your veins.
How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I’m young
You might say I’m unlearned
But there’s one thing I know
Though I’m younger than you
That even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do.
Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul.
And I hope that you die
And your death’ll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I’ll watch while you’re lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I’ll stand over your grave
‘Til I’m sure that you’re dead.
And The Beatles Revolution (must be on the list)
Feel a little differently about this since Nina Simone – but what the heck, I guess they brought it into a whole different set of lounge-rooms…
ha! recaptcha says ‘speech bonfire’
The youtube above (War is over) contains images that are shocking and may include images of the dead.
Embedding a failure: but shock/distress warning still stands
John & Yoko War Is Over (If You Want It)
Clare, thanks for this video. While I’m not sure
about John Lennon dominating the conversation
as the mute Yoko looks on adoringly, the
images that come later are devastating.
I only wish more recent images from Afghanistan,
Iraq (yes, still) and Australia’s detention
centres, filled newspapers, current affairs and
news broadcasts to remind us of the horror
wrought by war and brutal injustice. But while
our media conspires for whatever reason to
protect the public from these images, the carnage
will continue.
I agree, Trish. Though John never pretended to be anything but ‘in your face’ – even in the old rocker days. Yoko sums it up in ‘Walking on thin ice’ – “You gave me my life. I gave you my life” What an artist in her own right, though. Inspirational. I wonder how much of Yoko’s contribution would have got airtime, even if it was filmed? Did you check out her Woman Power on this post: I love it.
Yeah, so true! Will check out Woman Power – have been
Working my way through all the terrific stuff that’s
been posted though what a distraction from the
writing I was going to do.
Trish, I am so with you: distraction in action! Argh! But I love it. It’s also got me thinking about revolution; non-violent, violent, interior-personal-political, exterior-social-political; genuine rebellion/freedom fighting and testosterone driven pathology; the invisible history of revolutionary women … the possibility of being able to eat grass and whether my old dog would survive the loss of crunchies and what to do in the morning.
By The Time I Get To Arizona – Public Enemy
Timely. And Chuck D is still busy fighting the power.
This is a chilling, brilliantly made song and film-clip. Thanks Jacinda.
The Pretenders – Revolution Lyrics
Cats like me and you
Have got laws
That they adhere to
Laws outside the laws
As laid down
By those we don’t subscribe to
The world is getting stranger
But we’ll never lose heart
We can’t just wait for the
Old guard to die
Before we can
Make a new start
Bring on the revolution
(keep the pressure on)
I wanna die for something
Bring on the revolution
I wanna die for something
Bring on the revolution
I wanna die for something
Bring on the revolution
I don’t wanna die for nothing
For every freedom fighter
I wanna hold on tighter
To the hope and will you gave
You were the brave
You were the brave
And one day
When i hear your children sing
Freedom will ring
Freedom!
When we watch the children play
Remember
How the privileged classes grew
And from this day
We set out
To undo what won’t undo
Looking for the grand
In the minute
Every breath justifies
Every step that we take
To remove what the powers that be
Can’t prove
And the children will
Understand why
Bring on the revolution
(keep the pressure on)
I wanna die for something
Bring on the revolution
I wanna die for something
Bring on the revolution
I don’t wanna die for nothing
Bring on the revolution
I wanna die for something’
And revolutionary in its own way is ‘The Corner’ (Miles Davis)
Pillars of society from Kev Carmody’s incredible and album of the same name:
The pillars of society
Cruise down the road each day;
They got the economic wherewithall
We can’t afford to pay
They got numbered bank accounts
Their system assures they win
They exploit the population we on the outside lookin’ in
CHORUS
Them pillars of society
Drive us like a tool
To them that cool
They drive Mercedes Benz and Porsches
Live Rolls Royce gilt-edged lives
You can tell the affluent effluent
By the status symbols that they drive
When you on the dole queue
They tell you to your face
You a bludger on their system
And a blight on the human race
They grace the social pages
Always make the news
At the church on Sunday
They crowd in the front pews
There’s a hierarchy of dominance
With the power at the top
If you think you’ve found the magic key
You’ll find they’ve changed the locks
Walkin’ down the freeway
On their dotted line
We’d like to make decisions
But they won’t allow the time
It’s said religion is the opium
I say the media’s the cocaine
24 hours of propaganda
druggin’ my poor brain
They confer titles of status and dominance
On their progeny and their class
“sir” – “Your honour” –
“Your Grace” – “Your Highness” –
We’re made to polish
And lick their____brass
But you my friend can be like them
If you have their million dollar fee
But you’ll find their system’s designed
To keep us in line
And walkin’ on our knees
For my 2nd attempt, here’s the link, especially for you Jeff:
i like this
My heart is singing.
I am excited and I want to cry in joy.
I want to take action with integrity and zealous passion!
In my pleasurable sunday morning of listening and learning in front of the computer, I wished I could find more songs with ideas about what the revolution will look and feel like when it happens. So attempting to contribute after a wonderful morning (cheers), I have deduced the following about the revolution:
* it will be a party
* it will not be televised (Gil stone) and there ‘won’t be no commercials’ (Last Poets)
* will come and ‘my mind and your mind speak not of revolution until you are all willing to eat grass to survive’ (Last Poets)
* when it comes ‘guns and rifles will be taking the place of poems and essays’ (Last poets)
* ‘it is a course of 360 degrees in a cycle that never ends’ (Last Poets)
* it will fight the power (Public Enemy)
* it will chase evil out (Lee Scratch Perry)
Anthea wrote ‘the revolution is here’.
The revolution is here.
The shiver that Stephen talked about in ‘Strange Fruit’ by Billie Holiday, the force that brings us hope and drives us to act in committment to the revolution, flourishes in this post.
Whatever work you do tomorrow, make it honour the revolution.
Peace.
What a lovely post, Sally. That’s the thing isn’t it: we’ve all been moved by the music and lyrics and images and then tomorrow, for many of us, off we go to a workplace and do work that often doesn’t sit well with us or that at the very least causes us to compromise some of our values. And for me, this particular (revolutionary) blog has been a reminder that I’m part of the system and therefore part of the problem.
We’d better run…
Nick Cave: City of Refuge
(recaptcha says ‘cheered running’ – i tell no lie)
and here’s tracy chapman, while we’re talking ’bout revolution.