FAWM: "Protest Songs"

Protest Songs

NSFW

Liner Notes

Well, for my 14th protest song of this year's FAWM, I decided I needed to write a protest song about protest songs...basically protesting the fact that we need to write so damn many fucking protest songs!

I'd never really played around with fingerpicking on the uke before, so I tried for something simple. I think it was pretty effective. I'd like to put this one into the DAW and build in some more layers for each subsequent verse.

#fuc #protest #acousticonetake

Lyrics

Verse 1
There've been a lot of protest songs throughout our history.
They're a machine that kills fascists, just ask Woody Guthrie.
Go back further to the song about that Yankee Doodle Dandy.
So many protest songs, you see.

Verse 2
There've been a lot of things, of course, to protest about.
Wars and poverty come straight to mind, no doubt.
Or misuse of religion to gain more wealth and clout.
So damn much to make you scream and shout.

Verse 3
Today, however, it seems like we just can't write enough.
Tryin' to keep up with all the outrage is getting just too tough.
We sing about oligarchy, fascism, all that stuff
Cuz we see the world is lookin' pretty rough.

Chorus
I'm sick of writing protest songs. Someone make these people stop
Doing so many things to damage the world.
I'm sick of writing protest songs. It's like we'll never get on top
Of the evil that is taking over the world.

Bridge
Every day brings more outrageous things for my next song.
I'm gonna need some help, so I hope you'll sing along!
Every day brings more outrageous things for my next song.
I'm gonna need some help, so I hope you'll sing along!

Chorus
I'm sick of writing protest songs. Someone make these people stop
Doing so many things to damage the world.
I'm sick of writing protest songs. It's like we'll never get on top
Of the evil that is taking over the world.

I'm sick of writing protest songs. Someone make these people stop
Doing so many things to damage the world.
I'm sick of writing protest songs. It's like we'll never get on top
Of the evil that is taking over the world.

Comments

@racheleve 2d

Congrats on completing the FAWM challenge well before 2/28. I really hear you on this sentiment- a world where we don’t have to write protest songs, wouldn’t that be lovely? But until then, keep sticking it to them and singing out Dave!! I’m certainly singing with you!

@hazydave 3d

Perfect end to the album!!! Yeah, it's not even a small surprise that you didn't run out of protest topics in this particular February.... and I'd bet all of FAWM has an usually large output of them. Wouldn't it be magical to some day not have that many protest songs to write.

@ambroise 3d

I did sing along !
And after your song, Youtube suggested more video, containing each a new protest song idea !
QED: quod erat demonstration.
Under the avalanche of fakenews, shitstorms and farce that are the news lately, this anthem quite sums it up !

@theenglishassassin 3d

The protest song of protest songs!
Brilliant, but at the same time, very sad.
I feel the same way and long for a time when song ideas can once more come from many different and interesting directions, some of which are actually positive!
Great song!

@heather 3d

Congrats on reaching 14 songs! A meta-protest-song feels somehow fitting for the final song on your album. I feel the same way, as so many of us do…

@gwynjones 3d

Absolutely! Even if those the words won't be heeded to who they're directed at but at least it's heartening that others feel the same way about these evil bastards!

@mikeskliar 4d

ha, nice! a fine meta-protest song, and yeah, I am with ya, I so wish I didn't have to keep writing about the crazy times we are in, but it feels like I need to, or something, at least to some extent. You lay it all out here, nice job!

@caitlin 4d

Look at you, finger picking that uke like a pro! Congrats on WINNING FAWM by the way!! I love the Woodie Guthrie and Yankee Doodle Dandy references. It’s true that protest songs are as old as time, and never more needed than today. Keep going, as sick of it as you are, it helps. I’m singing along with you!