There\u2019s a proud \u2013 and sometimes overlooked \u2013 tradition of social protest in the lyrics of rock and roll songs. Sometimes listeners merely gloss over what is a direct critique of social ills \u2013 the appropriation of Bruce Springsteen\u2019s classic protest song \u201cBorn in the U.S.A.\u201d by jingoistic activists is merely one example; the wrongheaded use of Creedence Clearwater Revival\u2019s \u201cFortunate Son\u201d as a pro-military tune is another instance.<\/p>\n
Minneapolis, Minnesota and its sister city St. Paul have been and remain home to a legion of great musical artists. Prince is perhaps the most renowned, but in the college- and alternative-rock era, a legion of acts came out of the Twin Cities with creativity and passion to burn. In honor of Minneapolis\u2019 musical contributions, here are four protest songs \u2013 and one song whose misappropriation was protested by its creators \u2013 from artists closely associated with the city.<\/p>\n
Loud Fast Rules \u2013 \u201cBlack and Blue\u201d from Barefoot and Pregnant<\/em> (1982<\/strong>)
\nBefore he co-founded alt-rock\/grunge band Soul Asylum in Minneapolis, vocalist Dan Pirner led Loud Fast Rules. Though he\u2019d play guitar in Soul Asylum, in the earlier group he was behind the drum kit. Loud Fast Rules\u2019 sound \u2013 captured on a pair of songs released on compilations, and later on a collection of demos released once Soul Asylum broke through \u2013 show an edgy, powerful style that hinted at the approach to come with Pirner\u2019s subsequent band. \u201cBlack and Blue\u201d first appeared on a 1982 cassette from Reflex Records; the song\u2019s lyrics decry police brutality.<\/p>\n