I used to listen to the band Muse a lot in high school. I was one of those quiet but rebellious types, so their music really resonated with me. As I got older and started my corporate career, the political messaging in their music, especially in their most recent album, felt a little too strong.
I am ready for it now.
If you’re feeling rage right now, like many of us are, I highly recommend listening to the entire “Will of the People” album by Muse. Really listen to it. Put on your headphones like we used to back in the day and take it all in.
Music has become background noise for me in my 30s, but I think it’s time to bring it back into focus.
Got any songs or albums you’d recommend with similar themes?
Not a whole album but I had found this little modern folk song specifically about the current state of the US a while back:
https://open.spotify.com/track/5ff9fGBykcLIctsvauVTod
Oh say can you see what I see The future ain’t what it used to be And I’m not proud of anything That I have seen tonight
So tell me ‘bout that flag you wave And what your bumper stickers say And how you parse apart your faith Who’s seated on the right?
So dress up in your suit and tie And say your thank yous real polite And raise your arm out to the sky Your fuhrer is your friend
And when that grifter steps in shit They lick his boots from heel to tip Or feel the wrath of all of it Praise Jesus Christ amen
Cause now we’re great again
Dissolve the law and federal courts Defund the peer reviewed reports Retract the hand that feeds the poor The hungry ones can’t speak
So raise a glass to business whores The autocrats and saboteurs And text the world about your wars Let flow your whiskey leaks
Berate the south, invade the north And conquer all impoverished shores Identify and then extort All those who lack defense
Forget the Paine of Common Sense We reign with our incompetence And designate all immigrants As sick and evil men
Cuz now… we’re great again
Then Francis Key tries to explain That freedom’s not a first class train Your red hat cannot be exchanged As credit toward your rent
The land of all the free’s a lie So where do all the brave reside The bombs are bursting through the sky That’s where your money went
A modern Betsy Ross has made A flag that fascists celebrate Our motto now commemorates The sword above the pen
No we are not inspired hosts Your huddled and your tired folks Are propaganda for our shows And we are not your friend
But now… we’re great again
Now weakness is admitting wrong So do your part and play along The showroom on the White House lawn Would make your grandad proud
So tell me who needs enemies When you’ve got Fox and friends like these Who spend the daytime on their knees In service to the crown
We bow down to the motorcades With banners and our boat parades The emperor we celebrate’s Not wearing anything
That starry spangled banner waves Goodbye to golden yesterdays The ramparts now have all been raised To clearly represent
That now… somehow… we are great again