Table of contents
Best Communist Songs
Socialist songs, often referred to as “protest songs” or “songs of solidarity,” have been an integral part of social movements advocating for workers’ rights, social justice, and equality.
- Imagine: John Lennon
- This Land is Your Land: Woodie Guthrie
- Talkin Bout a Revolution: Tracy Chapman
- Joe Hill: Paul Robeson
- Bread and Roses: Judy Collins
- The Internationale: Toscaninie
- Union Maid: Woodie Guthrie
- We Shall Overcome: Pete Seger
- Ain’t done nothing if you ain’t been called a red: Faith Petric
- Ringing of Revolution: Phil Ochs
Socialist Singers
Here are some notable musicians and bands who have written socialist songs and been associated with themes or activism in their music:
- Woody Guthrie – An iconic folk singer known for his songs about the struggles of the working class and social justice. These include a number of trade union songs.
- Pete Seeger – A folk musician and activist who was involved in social movements, including labour rights and civil rights.
- Billy Bragg – A British singer-songwriter known for his politically charged lyrics that often address socialist themes and workers’ rights.
- Ana Tijoux – A Chilean-French musician whose lyrics often reflect social and political issues, including critiques of neoliberalism.
- Alistair Hulett – Alistair Hulett was a Scottish folk singer best known as the singer of punk band, Roaring Jack.
Socialist Musicians
- The Clash – This punk rock band often incorporated political themes into their music, critiquing capitalism and advocating for social change.
- Rage Against the Machine – Known for their fusion of rock and rap, their lyrics often address issues of capitalism, imperialism, and social justice.
- M.I.A. – Her socialist songs frequently incorporates themes of activism and critiques of capitalist and imperialist systems.
- The Coup – This hip-hop group is known for its outspoken critique of capitalism and advocacy for socialist ideals.
- Dead Kennedys – Dead Kennedys’ lyrics were usually political in nature, satirising political figures and authority in general, as well as popular culture and even the punk movement itself. During their initial incarnation between 1978 and 1986, they attracted considerable controversy for their provocative lyrics and artwork.
- Public Enemy – Socialist songs from a hip-hop group that addresses issues of race, class, and social inequality, often with a revolutionary perspective.
These artists use their platforms to address social issues and promote messages of equality, justice, and solidarity.
Leftist Songs
There are several leftist songs that explore themes related to Marxism, socialism, and critiques of capitalism. Here are some notable examples:
- “The Internationale” – This is perhaps the most famous socialist anthem, originally written in French in the late 19th century. It has been translated into many languages and is associated with various leftist movements. It has been a battle hymn for the union movement.
- “Workers of the World, Unite!” by The Wobblies – A song associated with the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) that emphasises solidarity among workers.
- “Capitalism” by The Coup – This hip-hop group often addresses themes of social justice and critiques of capitalism in their music.
- “Revolution” by The Beatles – While not explicitly Marxist, it touches on themes of political change and activism.
- “Killing in the Name” by Rage Against the Machine – This song critiques institutional racism and capitalism, aligning with revolutionary sentiments.
- “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke – Though primarily a civil rights anthem, it embodies themes of social justice that resonate with Marxist ideals.
- “The Red Flag” by Billy Bragg – This labour anthem emphasising worker solidarity and collective action was written by Jim Connell in 1889.
These songs vary in style and genre but share a common thread of advocating for social change and critiquing capitalist structures.
Communist Songs in English
The most ‘iconic’ communist song of all time is ‘The Internationale’. The lyrics of this socialist song can be hard to catch for the new listener. The lyrics, as appeared in the IWW Songbook (34th Edition) appear below.
Socialist Songs and The Internationale Lyrics
Arise ye pris’ners of starvation
Arise ye wretched of the earth
For justice thunders condemnation
A better world’s in birth!
No more tradition’s chains shall bind us
Arise, ye slaves, no more in thrall;
The earth shall rise on new foundations
We have been naught we shall be all.
Refrain:
’Tis the final conflict
Let each stand in his place
The International Union
Shall be the human race.
We want no condescending saviors
To rule us from their judgement hall
We workers ask not for their favours
Let us consult for all.
To make the theif disgorge his booty
To free the spirit from its cell
We must ourselves decide our duty
We must decide and do it well.
The law oppresses us and tricks us,
The wage slave system drains our blood;
The rich are free from obligation,
The laws the poor delude.
Too long we’ve languished in subjection,
Equality has other laws;
“No rights”, says she “without their duties,
No claims on equals without cause.”
Behold them seated in their glory
The kings of mine and rail and soil!
What have you read in all their story,
But how they plundered toil?
Fruits of the workers’ toil are buried
In strongholds of the idle few
In working for their restitution
The men will only claim their due.
We toilers from all fields united
Join hand in hand with all who work;
The earth belongs to us, the workers,
No room here for the shirk.
How many on our flesh have fattened!
But if the norsome birds of prey
Shall vanish from the sky some morning
The blessed sunlight then will stay.
Modern Socialist Songs
Modern socialist songs often blend contemporary musical styles with messages of social justice, equality, and solidarity. Here are some notable examples:
- “The Hammer and Sickle” by The Coup – This track by the hip-hop group The Coup mixes socialist themes with modern rap, addressing economic and social issues and the need to share.
- “I Am a Revolutionary” by The Rebel Diaz – This song blends hip-hop with revolutionary rhetoric, advocating for systemic change.
- “People’s World” by David Rovics – Rovics is known for his politically charged music. “People’s World” reflects themes of collective struggle.
These songs reflect a range of styles and approaches, from folk and hip-hop to modern renditions of classic anthems. They all promote Karl Marx message of social justice and solidarity.
Socialist Songs: BLF Green Bans by Dhopec
Pop Songs about Communism
Our final list is some of our favourite socialist songs that have not had the chance to mention already.
- “Working Class Hero” – John Lennon (Critique of class oppression)
- “Power to the People” – John Lennon (Pro-revolution anthem)
- “People Have the Power” – Patti Smith (Socialist-inspired call to action)
- “Which Side Are You On?” – The Almanac Singers / Billy Bragg (Pro-union, class struggle)
- “Solidarity Forever” – Pete Seeger (Labour movement classic)
- “Union Song” – Steve Earle (Pro-union anthem)
- “The Ghost of Tom Joad” – Bruce Springsteen / Rage Against the Machine (Anti-Capitalist struggle)
Socialist Songs and the Little Red Songbook
The term “red songbook” most commonly refers to two distinct publications: the historical labour union song collection and the contemporary pop album songbook by Taylor Swift. The original and most historically significant is the Little Red Songbook. It was published by the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), first in 1909 as “Songs of the Workers”.
This pocket-sized booklet contains socialist songs set to popular tunes to build morale and support for the union on picket lines, featuring anthems like “Solidarity Forever”. You can purchase modern editions of the original songbook via the IWW Store.
The political songs on this page are just a few examples of socialist songs that have resonated with movements for social change throughout history. They continue to inspire and unite people in their struggles for a more just and equitable society.
Socialist Rock Songs
Modern socialist rock’s most popular anthems include enduring classics like Rage Against the Machine’s critiques of capitalist imperialism, the viral working-class fury of Oliver Anthony’s “Rich Men North of Richmond,” and the contemporary post-punk solidarity anthems of bands like Idles. The genre also thrives globally through modern adaptations of historic protest songs like “Bella Ciao” and the direct activist punk of groups such as Pussy Riot, while its themes have largely evolved into broader, nuanced indictments of systemic inequality rather than explicit ideological sloganeering.
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