"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible."
-Frank Zappa-
In the United States, popular musicians have often involved themselves in progressive political causes. The nature of progressivism often leads to the necessity of challenging the status quo. Often, those challenges are inspired by specific historical events or movements, creating clusters of topical songs at certain points in time.
In challenging the status quo, popular American musicians have confronted issues of censorship, differing definitions of patriotism, and various social issues. They have not only done so through their music but also direct actions like testifying in front of Congress, engaging in philanthropy, and even campaigning for political positions themselves.
Popular music provides a unique challenge in that successful musicians are inherently toward the top of the social and economic pyramid. Those they try to represent are usually toward the bottom. This disparity creates questions of authenticity of their voice due to their privileged standing.
The artists highlighted in this exhibit are by no means the only political actors in the music industry – and political music has also reached far beyond only progressive causes. In an attempt to create an accessible starting point to this information, these artists were chosen to represent a broad cross-section of how American musicians have engaged with political topics.
Throughout the exhibit, the first mention of a song is a clickable link that will take you to that track on Spotify. Please note that some songs do contain profanity.