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The tradition of protest songs in the United States is a long one that dates back to the 18th century and colonial period, the American Revolutionary War and its aftermath. In the 19th century, topical subjects for protest in song included abolition, slavery, poverty, and the Civil War among other subjects. In the 20th century civil liberties, civil rights, women's rights, economic injustice, politics and war were among the popular subjects for protest in song. In the 21st century the long tradition continues.

copied from Protest songs in the United States.

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Protest songs in the United States are a tradition that dates back to the early 18th century and have both persisted and evolved as an aspect of American culture through the present day. Throughout its history, many American social movements have inspired an array of protest songs spanning a variety of musical genres including but not limited to rap, folk, rock, and pop music. Though early 18th century songs stemmed from the American colonial period as well as in response to the Revolutionary war, protest songs have and continue to cover a wide variety of subjects. Protest songs in general typically serve to address some social, political, or economic concern through the means of musical composition. In America, 19th century protest songs focused heavily on topics including slavery, poverty, and the Civil War among other subjects while the 20th century saw an increased popularity in songs pertaining to women's rights, economic injustice, and politics/ war. In the 21st century, popular protest songs like Childish Gambino's "This is America" and Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" address police brutality, racism, and more.

Kaltmeier, Olaf, and Wilfried Raussert, eds. Sonic Politics: Music and Social Movements in the Americas. Routledge, 2019.

Knupp, Ralph E. "A time for every purpose under heaven: Rhetorical dimensions of protest music." Southern Journal of Communication 46.4 (1981): 377-389.

Street, John. "‘Fight the power’: The politics of music and the music of politics." Government and Opposition 38.1 (2003): 113-130.

Weinstein, Deena. "Rock protest songs: so many and so few." The resisting muse: Popular music and social protest. Routledge, 2017. 3-16.