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July 22, 2008 7:35 PM

Looking for music with an an anti-violence, anti-sexual assault message.

A friend who works for a battered women's shelter has asked me to find music for his fledgling Spanish/English radio show. So far he's played music produced by Todd Denny which is geared toward youth, but music appealing to all demographics is sought. Spanish music is especially welcome.

posted by levijk to society & culture (28 comments total)

Toni Childs - "I've Got to Go Now"

(A ringtone? Who the heck wants a ringtone of that song? Unless it's an individual ringtone for the ex's number ...)
posted by aeschenkarnos at 7:47 PM on July 22, 2008

Fugazi's song Suggestion might to the trick. It's more in the vein of putting the listener into the mindset than directly saying it's bad, although I don't think there's any question that he's trying to say that as well.

Yes, it's a guy singing it. I'm linking to this YouTube video because you can hear it and see the words at the same time.
posted by theichibun at 8:06 PM on July 22, 2008

Fugazi's "Suggestion" made a big impression on me as a kid - can't find an MP3 of it at the moment, but it's available on their "13 Songs" CD.
posted by ryanshepard at 8:08 PM on July 22, 2008

I'd have to suggest Tori Amos. She's written some songs about her experience of sexual assault that are hard to listen to, but very powerful. "Me and a Gun" is the one most explicitly about rape, I think. Although I'm not sure how radio-friendly it is!

Just to clarify, is this radio for the women's shelter? (So he'd want songs that are non-triggering and women-friendly). Or is he starting an unrelated radio station and wants to be generally sensitive of this issue? Or does he want songs that are explicitly anti-violence? (Hope that makes sense.)
posted by badmoonrising at 8:09 PM on July 22, 2008

check out Bikini Kill.
posted by entropone at 8:11 PM on July 22, 2008

There's a few I know:

Baby Face's How Come How Long

My Name is Luka

There's also a few Mailing Lists on this subject. I hope it helps.
posted by Naoko Kensaku at 8:14 PM on July 22, 2008

Atmosphere- That Night.
posted by greta simone at 8:16 PM on July 22, 2008

"Infection" by Bad Religion. And I hate to say it, but "Date Rape" by Sublime.
posted by Sticherbeast at 8:31 PM on July 22, 2008

Thanks for all the suggestions--I'll track them all down and let him choose. badmoonrising: no, the show is broadcast from a local college radio station so it's not playing within the shelter itself unless someone decides to tune in. All radio-appropriate suggestions are welcome.
posted by levijk at 8:34 PM on July 22, 2008

This compilation is all songs and spoken word about violence against women.
posted by bendy at 8:46 PM on July 22, 2008

Lots of Ani DiFranco's songs would fit.
posted by jimmythefish at 8:49 PM on July 22, 2008

I dunno what the demographic of his show is but the first thing that comes to mind is "Take Back Control" by Stretch Armstrong.
posted by bradbane at 9:05 PM on July 22, 2008

Toad the Wet Sprocket - "Hold Her Down"
posted by pluckemin at 10:03 PM on July 22, 2008

Lots of stuff by Michael Franti and Spearhead would fit the bill.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 10:04 PM on July 22, 2008

Definitely, 2pac's Keep Ya Head Up.
posted by aielen at 10:13 PM on July 22, 2008

It's not uplifting (and is actually very depressing), but Lisa Germano's song "A Psychopath" is about sexual assault, and actually features a 911 call from a victim as part of the song. It's haunting and difficult and affecting.

There's also Joan Jett's "Go Home," which is somewhat related to the rape and murder of Mia Zapata.
posted by mudpuppie at 10:48 PM on July 22, 2008

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Face Down

Definitely fits the bill.
posted by clearly at 11:32 PM on July 22, 2008

Here's one you weren't expecting, Alice Cooper, Only Women Bleed.
posted by Exchequer at 11:37 PM on July 22, 2008

Sage Francis - Broken Wings

This one is at least 35 times better a song and just as relevant as the one I posted above
posted by clearly at 11:52 PM on July 22, 2008

The Cocorosie song By Your Side touches on domestic violence.
posted by creeky at 3:11 AM on July 23, 2008

"Johnny Hit And Run Pauline" by X.
posted by Rykey at 3:39 AM on July 23, 2008

Sleater-Kinney- Anonymous, Taking Me Home, and pretty much anything off their album "Call The Doctor". It's a consistent theme with their music and is more radio-friendly than some of the other suggestions (though they are good too!).
posted by indienial at 3:43 AM on July 23, 2008

Not quite against violence per se, but Sarah Jones's message of empowerment, independance and anti-misogyny in 'Your Revolution' seems like it might be appropriate.

Lyrics, Youtube. I think there's a few remixes floating around if the sound of that one doesn't suit you.
posted by Drexen at 4:01 AM on July 23, 2008

There's always Consolidated, for those that can stomach it.
posted by galaksit at 5:29 AM on July 23, 2008

Also 7 Year Bitch's ¡Viva Zapata! album - some of the songs refer to The Gits' lead singer Mia Zapata's attack and murder. Mind you, some the sentiment is vigilante and so mightn't meet the anti-violence criteria
posted by handybitesize at 5:45 AM on July 23, 2008

Since you mention Mia Zapata, check out the Home Alive compilation, too.

And since someone mentioned Tupac's 'Keep Ya Head Up,' it might be worth noting, before you decide to play that particular song, that Tupac was also convicted of sexual abuse.
posted by box at 7:11 AM on July 23, 2008

Another in the theme: Joan Jett's Evil Stig is a live project featuring herself and members of The Gits. I believe the original show was played in support of fund-raising efforts of a group formed to keep Mia Zapata's murder in the public eye (and hopefully find her killer).

And in a complete change of format, Terri Clark's Everytime I Cry is about repeatedly taking back a boyfriend/girlfriend. But she received so much feedback on it as being representative of an abusive relationship, that she incorporated different types of abusive situations into the video.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:28 AM on July 23, 2008

Could country have a place?

First one that comes to mind is Martina McBride's Independence Day.
posted by hippugeek at 6:47 PM on July 23, 2008