What are the greatest songs about protest, debate, civil strife, equal rights, and fighting the establishment? Using
music
to effect social change in the modern age began as early as 1939, when Billie Holiday dared to sing out against racism.
Throughout the 1960s, protesting a point of view through music saw some of the finest songs ever recorded. And today, with much of the world at odds with itself, musicians have plenty of raw material to draw upon to highlight injustice and demand social equality.
Browse the gallery and tune in to some of the most influential protest songs ever created.