Tune into the king’s very surprising playlist
Released in 1998, 'Don’t Drink the Water' recounts apartheid in South Africa and the plight of indigenous people.
Inspired by a news story of a man sentenced to hanging who had taken the life of a police officer, Costello detailed the event in his lyrics. The song also included his own opinions on the morality of the sentencing.
The lyrics to this track highlight the parallel between the French Revolution and the 1968 student riots, that were happening when Stewart penned the song.
In this 1989 song, Billy Joel lists all the messy problems his generation inherited but isn’t responsible for.
'99 Red Balloons' represents the German population's many different dreams after the devastation of World War II. Released in 1983, the song went on to become Nena's only hit in the US.
When Bob Dylan’s father was a young boy living in 1920s Minnesota, three men passing through the town of Duluth were accused of assault and jailed. Before any trial took place, the men were broken out of jail and subsequently hung. This inspired 'Desolation Row.'
This reggae anthem tells the story of African American cavalry and infantrymen who fought for the US during the late 19th century. Largely tasked with securing the expanding American West, Buffalo Soldiers also fought in the Caribbean during the Spanish-American War.
The hit song 'Pompeii' by Bastille references the famous volcano eruption that took out the bustling Roman city in 79 CE.
'Amerigo' to Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian explorer credited with giving America its name. Vespucci sailed to the American mainland in the late 1400s.
This track discusses the US breaking free from their "royal dad," the British government, during the Revolutionary War.
This 1968 hit was inspired by Mick Jagger’s reading of the Russian book 'The Master and Margarita' (1967). The devil in the book became the devil in the song. The song references many historical events, including Christ’s crucifixion and the assassination of Robert Kennedy.
Containing information about the life of Martin Luther King Jr., this 1984 hit began as a criticism of President Ronald Reagan.
'Zombie' was an international hit about a bombing in England in the early '90s, which the IRA took responsibility for.
Initially, the song was composed as a message standing against IRA rebels in Ireland. However, after a conference, Bono altered the verses, so no side was taken in the longstanding conflict.
This track features the Detroit Resistance, a number of uproars in Michigan throughout the late spring of 1967.
Sources: (Ranker) (Zing Instruments)
See also: Famous songs inspired by books
This popular '70s track is all about the notorious monk who aligned himself with Russia’s last dynasty before the Bolshevik revolution.
The Battle of New Orleans was fought in January 1815, and Johnny Horton's song tells the story of the conflict. It became a decisive battle that resulted in US soldiers defeating their British counterparts.
In this song, Neil Young sings about the Spanish explorer Cortez, who sailed from today's Cuba to the Aztec territory of Mexico in the early 1500s.
Released in 1980, the melody’s message was about the plane, The Enola Gay, utilized during World War II to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan.
'American Witch' tells the story of the Salem witch trials, which began in 1692 and lasted until the following year. About 200 individuals were accused of witchcraft during the proceedings.
Featured on their infamous 1979 album, 'The Wall,' this hit is full of historical references to the experience of World War II in Europe.
Saxon tackles the assassination of US President John F. Kennedy in their song 'Dallas 1 PM.'
Irish band Simple Minds chronicles Ireland’s bloody history, and the population's personal tragedies, with their single 'Belfast Child.'
The Band’s famous tune recounts the narrative of an imaginary person, Virgil Stick, and his encounters during the very real American Civil War.
The Vaccines wrote this track about the nuclear testing on Bikini Atoll, a formerly inhabited island in the Pacific, in the '50s. The song refers to a documentary, also called 'Radio Bikini' (1988), which features the former inhabitants of the island and the soldiers who participated in the tests.
Released in 1979, 'Spanish Bombs' was inspired by both the Spanish Civil War, and Basque separatist bombing that had taken place around the time of writing.
Nina Simone was an outspoken civil rights activist, which reflected in much of her work. 'Mississippi Goddam' finds her reflecting on two tragedies that occurred in the '60s. One is where civil rights activist Medgar Evers was gunned down, and the othe r is about when several African-American children were killed in a church fire in Alabama.
This heavy metal track tells the story of explorers' first visits to North America, from their perspective and the natives' perspective.
Music has the power to tell stories about people, places, emotions, and a bunch of other topics - including history - in a way that deeply resonates with people. Songs about historical happenings can offer insights into a time long ago, or evoke memories of important, not-so-distant events. Lyrics about freedom and the struggle for independence are found in genres across the board, and most can claim songs about crucial moments in the past.
Curious to learn about the best songs about historical events? Then check out this gallery.
This track chronicles the story of Jack Ruby, the man who killed Lee Harvey Oswald after Oswald shot president John F. Kennedy.
The best songs about historical events
Turns out, songs can also teach you about history!
MUSIC Lyrics
Music has the power to tell stories about people, places, emotions, and a bunch of other topics - including history - in a way that deeply resonates with people. Songs about historical happenings can offer insights into a time long ago, or evoke memories of important, not-so-distant events. Lyrics about freedom and the struggle for independence are found in genres across the board, and most can claim songs about crucial moments in the past.
Curious to learn about the best songs about historical events? Then check out this gallery.