Credit: Pete Souza, Obama-Biden Transition Project
In the rich history of the American protest movement, The President of the United States has long been a target of the protest song. Because of the leftist leanings of many musical artists, Republican presidents are more of a target, but Democratic presidents have not been immune to these lyrical attacks either.
At times musicians have courted controversy and have even got themselves into legal hot water for their musical protests. For example, back in 1941, folk collective, The Almanac Singers (which included Pete Seeger & Woody Guthrie) became targets of the CIA for their album Songs For John Doe. The album not only was anti-war, but it also contained strong anti-Roosevelt (then president Franklin Roosevelt) sentiments. Only a year later the album was out of print and The Almanac singers recorded a pro-war, pro-Roosevelt album, Dear Mr. President.
The following is a small sampling of ten protest songs about the president. It contains a diverse group of genres including folk, soul, punk & rap. Just as a note, since there as been so many protest tunes written about him, I’ll be posting a separate list about Donald Trump.
Lyndon Johnson Told The Nation – Tom Paxton (1965)
Folk singer, Tom Paxton is a very important socially conscious singer songwriter, who has made (and continues to make) many notable contributions to the cannon of protest songs. This 1965 anti-war song heavily criticized then President Lyndon Johnson for his involvement in the Vietnam War. In 2007 the song was updated and changed to “George W. Told the Nation”. Instead of Vietnam, it was criticizing the war in Iraq.
Here’s To The State of Richard Nixon – Phil Ochs (1974)
Topical songwriter Phil Ochs was a key figure in the protest movement, writing many protest classics. Released as a 1974 single, “Here’s To The State of Richard Nixon” was an update of his earlier protest tune “Here’s to the State of Mississippi”. The song definitely has strong anti-Nixon sentiments. Throughout the tune, Ochs repeats the refrain “Oh, here’s to the land you’ve torn out the heart of/Richard Nixon find yourself another country to be part of”.
Concerning Richard Nixon, him and his administration were prime targets during the 60’s and 70’s protest movement. There was definitely no shortage of Nixon inspired protest songs.
You Haven’t Done Nothin – Stevie Wonder (1974)
“You Haven’t Done Nothin” from Wonder’s 1974 album, Fulfillingness’ First Finale, is a direct attack on Richard Nixon. It also features background vocals from the Jackson Five. Who says that the protest movement cannot be funky?
Because the song stops short of naming the president by name, it continues to stay relevant. The lyrics can easily apply to any number of presidents.
My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) – Ramones (1985)
The song was initially released as a UK single in June, 1985 with the title “Bonzo Goes to Bitburg”. It was renamed “My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes to Bitburg)” when it appeared on their 1986 album, Animal Boy.
The song is one of the Ramones few directly political tunes. The song protests then President Ronald Reagan’s visit to the Bitburg military cemetery in Germany, which included grave sites of Nazi soldiers. Joey Ramone, who was a Jew, was particularly appalled by this. Interestingly, Johnny Ramone was a devout Republican and Reagan supporter, and he didn’t want to record the song. As a compromise the band added the “My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down” to the title.
It is definitely more catchy than most protest tunes, but the sing along nature of the song does not take away any of the lyrical bite of the message.
The Ballad of Ronald Reagan — The Austin Lounge Lizards (1988)
During the 80s, Ronald Reagan and his economic policies (Reaganomics) were popular targets of the protest song. This little ditty from The Austin Lounge Lizards 1988 album, The Highway Cafe of The Damned, is a humorous, but scathing attack on then president Ronald Reagan. The song even compared him to the much maligned Richard Nixon with the bold line “His polices are cursed/But at least he’s not Nixon/He’s even worse”.
Letter To The President – 2Pac & The Outlawz (1999)
This angry tirade was from the 2Pac (Tupac Shakur) & The Outlawz 1999 album, Still I Rise. It was 2Pac’s third posthumous album which was released.
This song is a no holds barred lyrical attack on then President Bill Clinton, attacking his ineffectiveness in helping poverty stricken black communities. As far as protest songs go, it is pure anger, and it points to the fact that if the situation goes unchecked things will just keep getting worse.
When The President Talks To God – Bright Eyes (2005)
Those that feel that the golden age of protest music is long gone and that they just don’t write protest songs anymore, failed to realize that the 21 Century has been a rich decade of protest music. “When The President Talks To God ” is a throwback to the classic protest songs of old. It was released by Bright Eyes as a single in 2005.
Bright Eye’s Conor Oberst, wrote the song as a direct response to George W. Bush’s claims that he talks to God. The song is a pointed attack on Bush and his polices. It is definitely a modern day protest classic.
Dear Mr. President – Pink (2006)
“Dear Mr. President” which also features background vocals from the Indigo Girls, is from Pink’s 2006 Album, I’m Not Dead. The song was an open letter to then president George W. Bush.
As much as I am not generally into Mainstream Top 40 pop music, Pink is an artist I have always had a degree of respect for. Even though she still has her share of superficial pop tunes, she is also capable of writing genuine emotional songs which contain real depth. “Dear Mr, President” is a prime of example of this. It is a poignant socially conscious tune.
Revolution Has Come – Rebel Diaz (2012)
Compared to other presidents there has been relatively few protest songs against President Barack Obama. “Revolution Has Come” by political hip hoppers Rebel Diaz was written in response to the 2012 presidential election. It takes a direct shot at Obama with the line “Swear to God on my mama, never supported Obama”. It has to be acknowledged that Rebel Diaz declares lyrical war on both sides of the party line with the lyrics “The Democrats and Republicans both up to no good/They both got in bed with the multi-nacionales”.
The songs is more about forgetting who is in the White House, and instead it focuses on getting involved in the community. Concerning the message of the song, Rebel Diaz made the following statement:
“Our goal with this song is to convey the message that Revolution is Love. It’s what no one can take away from our communities- love for humanity. In the face of structural violence like racism, underfunded schools, and inadequate housing, our weapons of defense are education, sustainability, and community building. We don’t promote voting every 4 years, we say vote everyday with your actions and serve the community!”
Reagan – Killer Mike (2012)
This hard hitting rap tune from Killer Mike’s 2012 album, R.A.P. Music is a lyrical assault on Reagan’s presidency. It tackles the negative effects of Reaganomics and how the war on drug unjustly targeted black communities. Killer Mike also considers Reagan as a puppet and also attacks both Bushes, Clinton and Obama as all having the same puppet master.