The Inauguration Playlist

When President Trump is inaugurated we will need appropriate music to mark the occasion.

Considering the playlist for the day took me back to the rage, resistance, and riots in the 1960’s and 70’s.  At that time the government routinely took great liberties with the truth, especially concerning the progress of the Vietnam War.  The citizens — especially us idealistic kids — marched, protested, and sang.

The country almost fell apart until the war ended and a decent man, Gerald Ford, became President.

Trump’s disregard for facts and the quickness to fight make me fear that the songs I came of age with are needed again.

Here’s what we’ve got on tap to play on January 20th.  Your suggestions for additional songs are welcome!

Sample individual songs below or see and hear them all on YouTube.

  • Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuire

  • Lives in the Balance by Jackson Browne
    (Suggested by Harlan Kerr)

  • Political Science (Let’s Drop the Big One Now) by Randy Newman

  • Don’t Use Your Penis for a Brain By Romanovsky & Phillips

  • Fortunate Son by Credence Clearwater Revival

  • Universal Soldier by Donovan

  • My Back Pages by the Byrds

  • Red Necks by Randy Newman

  • Sail Away by Randy Newman

  • Tomorrow Belongs to Me from Cabaret
    (Suggested by Steve Zink)

  • Something Bad from Wicked
    (Suggested by Steve Zink)

  • So Long Mom by Tom Lehrer
    (Suggested by Mary Stanton-Anderson)

  • This Land is Your Land by Woodie Guthrie

  • Blowin’ in the Wind by Judy Collins

  • One Tin Soldier by the Original Caste

  • With God on Our Side by Bob Dylan

  • Where Have All the Flowers Gone by Joan Baez

Sky Pilot By Eric Burdon and the Animals

  • Ohio by Crosby, Still, Nash, and Young

  • For What It’s Worth by Buffalo Springfield

  • Singing for Our Lives by Holly Near

  • Heaven’s Here on Earth by Traci Chapman
    (Suggested by Ben Bear)

  • Everyday People by Sly and and Family Stone

  • Get Up, Stand Up by Bob Marley

  • Turn, Turn, Turn by the Byrds

  • The Lunatics Have Taken Over the Asylum by Fun Boy Three
    (Suggested by Brad Gaffney)

  • Sympathy for the Devil by the Rolling Stones

  • The End of the World as We Know It (And I feel fine) by R.E.M.
    (Suggested by David Pruden)

  • We Shall Overcome by Pete Seeger

  • Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) by Bob Marley and the Wailers

  • Imagine by John Lennon

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3 Responses to The Inauguration Playlist

  1. Patty (Tuttle) Ronney says:

    This is a positive way to deal with the inauguration. Old music from the same era may help me deal with the days (and months and years) following. Music makes me stronger.

  2. harlan kerr says:

    Carry It On several
    Joe Hill Ronnie Gilbert
    Little Wheel Spin and Spin Buffy St. Marie
    If I Give Your Name – Emma’s Revolution
    Call It Democracy – Bruce Cockburn
    Wasteland of the Free – Iris Dement
    Language of Violence – Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy
    Your Next Bold Move – Ani DiFranco
    Hero’s Song – Brendan James
    Bought and Sold – Dar Williams
    Lives in the Balance – Jackson Browne
    They Dance Alone – Sting
    Lawless Avenues – Jackson Browne
    My Country ‘Tis of Thy People You’re Dying – Buffy Sainte-Marie
    Waiting for a Miracle – Bruce Cockburn
    For America – Jackson Browne
    We Work the Black Seam – Sting
    Democracy – Leonard Cohen
    Television, the Drug of the Nation – Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy
    Talkin’ Bout a Revolution – Tracy Chapman
    When I Was a Boy – Dar Williams
    Jerusalem – Steve Earle
    Dear Mr. President – Pink

  3. David F Draper says:

    Mississippi Goddam – Nina Simone
    Here’s to Us – “Little Me” cast recording
    The End – Doors
    Strange Fruit – Billie Holiday/ Annie Lennox

    But for what it’s worth, I’m ignoring the whole day. I refuse to torture myself by watching any of it, or wasting my sanity by letting him dominate my thoughts. Time for action, not wallowing.

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