You Can't Stop the Music, Beat
September 6, 2013 9:14 AM Subscribe
I need songs on the theme of music defying the Man/authorities/common sense and continuing to rock the world/youth/quiet neighbourhood. Examples: Village People's You Can't Stop the Music, You Can't Stop the Beat from Hairspray. General variations on the theme of the rebel power of music are also appreciated. The more obvious the better! 40s-90s ideally!
Best answer: Beastie Boys - (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 9:25 AM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 9:25 AM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Buffalo Springfield - Stop Children What's That Sound
posted by Toekneesan at 9:25 AM on September 6, 2013
posted by Toekneesan at 9:25 AM on September 6, 2013
Dead Kennedys - I fought the law (and I won)
The Clash - White Riot
posted by vincele at 9:27 AM on September 6, 2013
The Clash - White Riot
posted by vincele at 9:27 AM on September 6, 2013
ah, MoonOrb, we have much in common. I was tempted to go with Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos or Channel Zero, but they seemed too...smart...to fit in with youthful generic rebellion.
Fight the Power still works, sadly, because frat boys in daddy's BMW can still sing the chorus at red lights...
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 9:30 AM on September 6, 2013
Fight the Power still works, sadly, because frat boys in daddy's BMW can still sing the chorus at red lights...
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 9:30 AM on September 6, 2013
Pat Benatar - Invincible (Especially within the context of the bestworst rebelkids film ever made, The Legend of Billie Jean.)
posted by rhiannonstone at 9:31 AM on September 6, 2013
posted by rhiannonstone at 9:31 AM on September 6, 2013
sham 69 - If the kids are united
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 9:35 AM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 9:35 AM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Don't Stop Me Now by Queen isn't so much "stick it to the man", but is very empowering and "rar I am awesome".
- Pink - Stupid Girl
- Signs by Five Man Electrical Band
- Foutunate Son by CCR
- Keep On Rockin' in the Free World by Neil Young
None of them are "keep on rocking" but they are more anti-establishment and going against the grain to be yourself.
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 9:57 AM on September 6, 2013
- Pink - Stupid Girl
- Signs by Five Man Electrical Band
- Foutunate Son by CCR
- Keep On Rockin' in the Free World by Neil Young
None of them are "keep on rocking" but they are more anti-establishment and going against the grain to be yourself.
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 9:57 AM on September 6, 2013
(Not to quibble in the comments and assuming that the suggestion is not trollery, but the Dead Kennedys' "I Fought the Law" - at least the version I have - is about the assassination of Harvey Milk and is not, IMO, a positive song. Come to that, "White Riot" requires a little contextualization, doesn't it?)
What about "Tubthumper"? Despite being loathed by all punks everywhere in the nineties as Chumbawamba's sell-out hit, it went over very very well with a bunch of young and truculent cop-fighting types at a demo a few years ago.
Also, if it doesn't have to be totally dance-y, I find "Wade In The Water" an incredibly moving song on these lines.
IME, "That's When I Reach For My Revolver" and "Academy Fight Song" often prove popular with certain types of young people.
posted by Frowner at 9:58 AM on September 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
What about "Tubthumper"? Despite being loathed by all punks everywhere in the nineties as Chumbawamba's sell-out hit, it went over very very well with a bunch of young and truculent cop-fighting types at a demo a few years ago.
Also, if it doesn't have to be totally dance-y, I find "Wade In The Water" an incredibly moving song on these lines.
IME, "That's When I Reach For My Revolver" and "Academy Fight Song" often prove popular with certain types of young people.
posted by Frowner at 9:58 AM on September 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Best answer: A couple more examples in the Broadway genre in addition to the Hairspray tune you mentioned:
La Vie Boheme from Rent
Dancing on the Sidewalk from Fame
posted by jeffjon at 10:25 AM on September 6, 2013
La Vie Boheme from Rent
Dancing on the Sidewalk from Fame
posted by jeffjon at 10:25 AM on September 6, 2013
Response by poster: "Youthful generic rebellion" is definitely the direction! Songs where the rebellion doesn't have an actual point aside from Rockin'/Music itself are good..
Did the Beatles do anything on this theme? I'm blanking out.
And yes!! to musicals.
posted by Erasmouse at 10:29 AM on September 6, 2013
Did the Beatles do anything on this theme? I'm blanking out.
And yes!! to musicals.
posted by Erasmouse at 10:29 AM on September 6, 2013
beatles? i'd say imagine is pretty good on this theme....
as for slightly more pointed but still in the ballpark:
ohio - csny
i feel like i'm fixin to die rag - country joe and the fish
posted by chasles at 10:37 AM on September 6, 2013
as for slightly more pointed but still in the ballpark:
ohio - csny
i feel like i'm fixin to die rag - country joe and the fish
posted by chasles at 10:37 AM on September 6, 2013
Beatles? i'd say imagine is pretty good on this theme....
The label on "Imagine" says John Lennon, not the Beatles. One song by them which fits here would be "Revolution" and another might be "Think For Yourself."
posted by Rash at 10:53 AM on September 6, 2013
The label on "Imagine" says John Lennon, not the Beatles. One song by them which fits here would be "Revolution" and another might be "Think For Yourself."
posted by Rash at 10:53 AM on September 6, 2013
The label on "Imagine" says John Lennon, not the Beatles.
yup. realized my mistake 30 nanseconds after clicking post. i was dying to use the edit button, but i dont want to abuse the power. POWER!
posted by chasles at 10:57 AM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
yup. realized my mistake 30 nanseconds after clicking post. i was dying to use the edit button, but i dont want to abuse the power. POWER!
posted by chasles at 10:57 AM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
It Will Stand, by The Showmen (1961)
posted by see_change at 11:35 AM on September 6, 2013
posted by see_change at 11:35 AM on September 6, 2013
Chicago - CSNY
We can change the world, rearrange the world, it's dying - to get better.
Although it's not "generic" rebellion (i.e., it refers to a specific event/time), I think the basic message is in keeping with what you're looking for.
posted by she's not there at 1:00 PM on September 6, 2013
We can change the world, rearrange the world, it's dying - to get better.
Although it's not "generic" rebellion (i.e., it refers to a specific event/time), I think the basic message is in keeping with what you're looking for.
posted by she's not there at 1:00 PM on September 6, 2013
Teenage Rampage by Sweet.
Why oh why has no-one mentioned "Come On, Feel the Noize"??? My favorite version is Social Distortion's.
Oh, and Hitsville, U.K. by the Clash.
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 1:15 PM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Why oh why has no-one mentioned "Come On, Feel the Noize"??? My favorite version is Social Distortion's.
Oh, and Hitsville, U.K. by the Clash.
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 1:15 PM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Just noticed that you're looking for "songs on the theme of music defying the Man". Most of the above, including some of your favorites (and my comment re Chicago), are simply songs about rebellion that don't refer to the power of music.
If that's OK, I'm sure there's plenty of material in this AskMe regarding Songs of the Labor Movement and I imagine fellow baby boomers can come up with few dozen protest songs from back in the day.
posted by she's not there at 1:27 PM on September 6, 2013
If that's OK, I'm sure there's plenty of material in this AskMe regarding Songs of the Labor Movement and I imagine fellow baby boomers can come up with few dozen protest songs from back in the day.
posted by she's not there at 1:27 PM on September 6, 2013
Not the time period you want, but: Lupe Fiasco, The Show Goes On
posted by sleepingcbw at 1:39 PM on September 6, 2013
posted by sleepingcbw at 1:39 PM on September 6, 2013
Best answer: Starship--We Built This City
posted by auntie maim at 4:50 PM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by auntie maim at 4:50 PM on September 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
Rock around the Clock
Dancing in the Street
My Generation
Anarchy in the UK
posted by Coaticass at 2:57 AM on September 8, 2013
Dancing in the Street
My Generation
Anarchy in the UK
posted by Coaticass at 2:57 AM on September 8, 2013
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posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 9:22 AM on September 6, 2013