Music That Makes An Impact | Part 3
Record store browsing. Click on my photo to pin on Pinterest!
Seems like a good time for Part 3 of my series: Music That Makes An Impact! Art always finds a way to shine through and there are so many amazing new songs I’m discovering lately.
You can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here. All of these songs are added to my playlists on YouTube Music and on Spotify for your convenience!
1. True Believer - Hayley Williams
I love Hayley Williams and her new album, Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party, is so relevant. I highly recommend giving it a listen!
[Lyrics]
Kill the soul, turn a profit
2. Na$ty - KIRBY
Such a great, funky song and the music video is amazing. The lyrics speak for themselves.
[Lyrics]
Is you in our side or is you faking?
3. Girl, So Confusing - Charli xcx, Lorde
Two iconic women, Charlil xcx and Lorde, worked it out on the remix. This song is all about insecurities, resolving conflict, being honest with yourself and growth.
4. Edelweiss - Bill Lee, Charmian Carr
Edelweiss, from the cherished musical, The Sound of Music, is a song about hope and resilience. The beautiful edelweiss flower thrives in nature even in times of darkness.
5. Icky Thump - The White Stripes
There’s a lot of hypocrisy happening today. The White Stripes sum it up pretty well.
[Lyrics]
White Americans, what? Nothing better to do
Why don't you kick yourself out? You're an immigrant too
6. Keep Ya Head Up - Tupac
This one is for the ladies from the legendary, Tupac.
[Lyrics]
And since we all came from a woman
Got our name from a woman and our game from a woman (yeah, yeah)
I wonder why we take from our women
7. Uprising - Muse
Power to the people! This song is all about taking our power back and starting a revolution.
[Lyrics]
Another promise, another scene
Another packaged lie to keep us trapped in greed
8. Bad Reputation - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Bad Reputation is about women breaking barriers, even if it means a bad reputation. Who cares?
9. Merry Go 'Round - Kacey Musgraves
Getting stuck in the same generational patterns and trauma is easy. Breaking traditions and setting your own path is hard, but easier than living a life you’re not happy with. It’s never too late to make a change.
[Lyrics]
Same checks we're always cashin'
To buy a little more distraction
10. Dirty Harry - Gorillaz, Bootie Brown
This song is such a vibe while being anti-war. Remember this the next time you’re jamming to this song. lol. The lyrics, ‘Cause all I do is dance’, is escapism from harsh realities.
[Lyrics]
I need a gun to keep myself among
The poor people who are burning in the sun
But they ain't got a chance
They ain't got a chance
I need a gun
'Cause all I do is dance
11. Lady Lady - Olivia Dean
Olivia Dean’s song, Lady Lady, is about trusting mother nature and the changes that come with it. The universe always finds a way back to balance.
[Lyrics]
That lady lady, she’s the man
I think she got a master plan
12. You Don’t Own Me - Lesley Gore
You Don’t Own Me was ahead of its time. It’s simple and to the point.
[Lyrics]
I don't tell you what to say
Oh, I don't tell you what to do
So just let me be myself
That's all I ask of you
13. DtMF - Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny’s album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, is a love letter to Puerto Rico and a cultural reclamation. His accompanying music videos even include information on Puerto Rico’s history. I think it’s iconic that he’s headlining the Super Bowl in 2026.
14. Handlebars - Flobots
What are you going to do with your power? Flobots song, Handlebars, tells the story about two characters who do drastically different things — artistry and corruption.
15. War Pigs - Black Sabbath
The war machine keeps turning with war pigs in charge.
[Lyrics]
Politicians hide themselves away
They only started the war
Why should they go out to fight?
They leave that all to the poor, yeah
16. Digital Silence - Peter McPoland
Digital Silence is about the complexities with online culture, technology and how it’s shaping our realities today.
[Lyrics]
Why don't you get it? Can't you get it? Understand
They're gonna execute the mother to elevate the man
17. For What It’s Worth - Buffalo Springfield
This 60s classic seems like it was written for today’s political climate.
[Lyrics]
There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speaking their minds
Are getting so much resistance from behind
18. Army Dreamers - Kate Bush
Kate Bush’s, Army Dreamers, is whimsical with hard hitting lyrics.
[Lyrics]
But he didn't have the money for a guitar
(What could he do?)
(Should have been a politician)
But he never had a proper education
(What could he do?)
(Should have been a father)
But he never even made it to his twenties
What a waste
19. Blackbird - The Beatles
Did you know Blackbird is a protest song? It was written to give hope during the Civil Rights Movement.
20. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - Gil Scott-Heron
Gil Scott-Heron’s mix of spoken word and jazz is a powerful combination.
[Lyrics]
The revolution will not be televised
Will not be televised
Will not be televised
Will not be televised
The revolution will be no re-run, brothers
The revolution will be live
21. Heavy Foot - Mon Rovîa
I just discovered Mon Rovîa and am so happy I did! He’s super talented with a unique Afro Appalachian folk sound. Although his song, Heavy Foot, talks about complex topics, it’s such a joyful song. “Joy is an act of resistance.” -Toi Derricotte.
[Lyrics]
No they never gonna keep us all down (woo)
22. The Logical Song - Supertramp
The Logical Song is a classic 70s hit that is still relevant today.
[Lyrics]
I said, now, watch what you say, they'll be calling you a radical
A liberal, oh, fanatical, criminal
23. Dealing Despair - Billy Strings
Billy Strings rips on the banjo, hence the name. Dealing Despair is commentary on gun violence in America.
24. That Funny Feeling - Bo Burnham
Bo Burnham’s special, Inside, is such a great, introspective look into the craziness of 2020-2021. The songs that came from his special continue to be relevant, maybe even more relevant today.
25. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
Like Sam Cooke said, it’s been a long time coming.
[Lyrics]
but I know, oh-oo-oh,
a change gon’ come, oh yes, it will
Overview
Whether you’re looking for protest music, songs that inspire change, feminist anthems, or anti-establishment tunes, my playlist has it all. Did I miss any of your favorites? Let me know below.
Here is my YouTube Music playlist and my Spotify playlist I put together!
Camera used to document: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
