As some of you know my band poker face writes Political-Protest oriented songs. Poker Face http://www.pokerface.com is a STRONG supporter of ALL of our RIGHTS. With our 2nd Amendment being at the top of our list of concerns. Many of the TFL readers recently read about our efforts of protesting the UN-Commies Small Arms Convention... which was nothing more then to decimate ALL of our gun Rights... you can read about those efforts here:http://www.sierratimes.com/archive/files/jul/27/edjc072701.htm
Well this past weekend we were informed that we were listed in the Libertarian Partys Newspaper list of Top 25 Liberty oriented songs. We came in at number 23. We are in some great company...
please read on......
The Top 25 Liberty Songs
by Bill Winter
LP NEWS EDITOR
It's been said that popular music -- whether rock, rap, pop, folk, or country -- is the soundtrack by which we live our lives.
If that's the case, Libertarians want to sing along to a soundtrack that reflects their most fundamental value: Liberty.
That's why we came up with "Liberty's Best Songs" -- 25 songs that celebrate human freedom, civil liberties, resistance to
tyranny, or just plain old all-American "I did it my way" individualism.
The songs were chosen from over 200 suggestions sent in by LP News readers. Our selection process wasn't scientific: If
someone sent in a compelling 100-word essay (or lyrics) explaining why their favorite tune was a libertarian classic, it made the
first cut.
From there, we winnowed the list down to a Top 25, based on musical and lyrical merit, the number of votes received, the
song's musical genre, and thedate the song was released.
Do those last two criteria hint at a "quota" system? We plead guilty.
Our goal was to include a wide variety of musical styles, so you'll find everyone from crooner Frank Sinatra to punk rockers
NOFX; from rasta master Bob Marley to country luminary Hank Williams, Jr.; from classic rockers Rush to alternative folk /
punks the Pogues; and from rappers Public Enemy to the original Fab Four, the Beatles. No matter what your musical taste,
there should be something for you on the list.
We also understand that most people's favorite songs come from one particular era. "Every generation throws a hero up the
pop charts," Paul Simon sang on "The Boy in the Bubble" from Graceland. Whether you came of age in the '60s, '70s, '80s, or
'90s, we wanted to make sure that at least one of your era's heroes was included.
This is by no means a definitive list -- nor is it in any particular order. But it is a list of 25 great songs that celebrate liberty. Sing
them loud. Sing them proud.
1 Song: Sunshine
* Artist: Jonathan Edwards
* Album: Lucky Day (Capricorn, 1971)
Released in 1971, the same year the Libertarian Party was founded, "Sunshine" was a crossover hit that reached the Top
Five. A catchy, upbeat yet laid-back country anthem, its folky lyrics were almost custom-written for the second
American Revolution. The song begins on a defeated note, with the hero telling the sunshine to go away because "some
man's...trying to run my life / He tells me I better get in line." But the hero realizes that "time is all we've lost," and
defiantly claims: "He can't even run his own life / I'll be damned if he'll run mine." The song ends hopefully with the lyrics,
"Sunshine come on back another day / I promise you I'll be singin' / This old world she's gonna turn around / Brand new
bells will be ringing." This could be an optimistic theme song for all Libertarians.
[Submitted by Mark J. Zetzer Jr.]
2 Song: My Life
* Artist: Billy Joel
* Album: 52nd Street (Sony / Columbia, 1978)
The central problem of libertarianism is how to draw the lines that neighbors and government may not cross in dealing
with individuals. Billy Joel's "My Life" is the pop song that I think best spotlights that question. Joel sings: "I don't care
what you say anymore / this is my life / Go ahead with your own life, and leave me alone...And you can speak your own
mind / but not on my time." The lyrics simply declare personal sovereignty, expressing equally well the thoughts of a
teenager, standing up to his parents; an adult, setting personal boundaries for a domineering lover, spouse, or friend; or
-- I like to think -- an overtaxed, overregulated citizen, rethinking his relationship to society and government.
[Submitted by James Merritt]
3 Song: 911 is a Joke
* Artist: Public Enemy
* Album: Fear of a Black Planet (Uni / Def Jam, 1990)
This is a witty little rap tune about a government service that costs lives by being slow -- and selective about which
neighborhoods get efficient government ambulance service. The lyrics say: "Hit me / Going going gone / Now I dialed
911 a long time ago / Don't you see how late they're reactin' / They only come when they wanna / so get the morgue,
embalm the goner / They don't care, 'cause they stay paid anyway / If your life is on the line, you're dead today...'Cause
911 is a fake life-saver." This was one of the first rap songs to take on the bad effects government has on inner cities --
besides police brutality and harassment.
[Submitted by Marc Brandl]
4 Song: Get Up, Stand Up
* Artist: Bob Marley & The Wailers
* Album: Burnin' (Tuff Gong / Island, 1973)
"Get up, stand up / Stand up for your rights / Get up, stand up / Don't give up the fight." It is the message of the Founding
Fathers set to a reggae beat. And Robert Nesta Marley (R.I.P.) had the spirit of a Founding Father with Rastafarian
dreads. Rastafarians believe in religious and personal freedom, including the freedom to smoke ganja (which is their
sacrament). Later, Marley sings: "Most people think / Great God will come from the sky / Take away everything / And
make everybody feel high / But if you know what life is worth / You will look for yours on Earth / And now you see the
light / You stand up for your rights." A worldwide classic of freedom and empowerment.
[Submitted by Andrew Williams]
22 Song: Legalize It
* Artist: Peter Tosh
* Album: Legalize It (CBS Records, 1976)
There may be more eloquently argued pro-marijuana legalization songs, and there may be more persuasive ones -- but
there are none more catchy or memorable. Over a slinky reggae beat, Tosh sings about his beloved ganja: "Legalize it,
yeah yeah / That's the best thing you can do." His rationale? Well, "Doctors smoke it / Nurses smoke it / Judges smoke it
/ Even the lawyers too." If that doesn't convince you, perhaps his medical arguments will: "It's good for the flu / it's good
for asthma / It's good for tuberculosis..." OK, so Tosh (who used to appear on stage with a cigar-sized spliff in hand),
won't win any debating points. But the song has become a pro-legalization classic because it's impossible not to sing
along with.
[Submitted by Paul Scott Williams]
23 Song: Rather Die Than Be Your Slave
* Artist: Poker Face
* Album: Sex, Lies and Politiks (PokerDudes, 2000)
This Allentown (PA) band is not to be believed! With a sound that is a cross between Creed, Alice in Chains, and Pink
Floyd, they grab you immediately with their music. The band's intense sound hammers the freedom message home in
song after song. My favorite song is "Rather Die Than Be Your Slave." The lyrics: "The sun rose high and burnt the night
away / Who stood before me was my enemy / Don't tread on me / He's come to take away my liberties / I'd rather die
than be a slave to thee / Don't tread on me!" The band never lets you forget their message.
[Submitted by Deb Sackett]
To sample the song that was listed please cut and paste this code or click on the link to hear our
song on Poker Radio.
<a href="http://www.pokerface.com/pfr.ram">
<img align="center" src="http://www.pokerface.com/linkus/slppoker.gif" border="0">
Play the Music - Real Audio</a>
http://www.pokerface.com/pfr.ram
http://www.pokerface.com/linkus/slppoker.gif
To view a list of all 25 groups please goto
Free Republic where it was posted completely...
http://www.FreeRepublic.com/forum/a3b6e00452c1b.htm
Well this past weekend we were informed that we were listed in the Libertarian Partys Newspaper list of Top 25 Liberty oriented songs. We came in at number 23. We are in some great company...
please read on......
The Top 25 Liberty Songs
by Bill Winter
LP NEWS EDITOR
It's been said that popular music -- whether rock, rap, pop, folk, or country -- is the soundtrack by which we live our lives.
If that's the case, Libertarians want to sing along to a soundtrack that reflects their most fundamental value: Liberty.
That's why we came up with "Liberty's Best Songs" -- 25 songs that celebrate human freedom, civil liberties, resistance to
tyranny, or just plain old all-American "I did it my way" individualism.
The songs were chosen from over 200 suggestions sent in by LP News readers. Our selection process wasn't scientific: If
someone sent in a compelling 100-word essay (or lyrics) explaining why their favorite tune was a libertarian classic, it made the
first cut.
From there, we winnowed the list down to a Top 25, based on musical and lyrical merit, the number of votes received, the
song's musical genre, and thedate the song was released.
Do those last two criteria hint at a "quota" system? We plead guilty.
Our goal was to include a wide variety of musical styles, so you'll find everyone from crooner Frank Sinatra to punk rockers
NOFX; from rasta master Bob Marley to country luminary Hank Williams, Jr.; from classic rockers Rush to alternative folk /
punks the Pogues; and from rappers Public Enemy to the original Fab Four, the Beatles. No matter what your musical taste,
there should be something for you on the list.
We also understand that most people's favorite songs come from one particular era. "Every generation throws a hero up the
pop charts," Paul Simon sang on "The Boy in the Bubble" from Graceland. Whether you came of age in the '60s, '70s, '80s, or
'90s, we wanted to make sure that at least one of your era's heroes was included.
This is by no means a definitive list -- nor is it in any particular order. But it is a list of 25 great songs that celebrate liberty. Sing
them loud. Sing them proud.
1 Song: Sunshine
* Artist: Jonathan Edwards
* Album: Lucky Day (Capricorn, 1971)
Released in 1971, the same year the Libertarian Party was founded, "Sunshine" was a crossover hit that reached the Top
Five. A catchy, upbeat yet laid-back country anthem, its folky lyrics were almost custom-written for the second
American Revolution. The song begins on a defeated note, with the hero telling the sunshine to go away because "some
man's...trying to run my life / He tells me I better get in line." But the hero realizes that "time is all we've lost," and
defiantly claims: "He can't even run his own life / I'll be damned if he'll run mine." The song ends hopefully with the lyrics,
"Sunshine come on back another day / I promise you I'll be singin' / This old world she's gonna turn around / Brand new
bells will be ringing." This could be an optimistic theme song for all Libertarians.
[Submitted by Mark J. Zetzer Jr.]
2 Song: My Life
* Artist: Billy Joel
* Album: 52nd Street (Sony / Columbia, 1978)
The central problem of libertarianism is how to draw the lines that neighbors and government may not cross in dealing
with individuals. Billy Joel's "My Life" is the pop song that I think best spotlights that question. Joel sings: "I don't care
what you say anymore / this is my life / Go ahead with your own life, and leave me alone...And you can speak your own
mind / but not on my time." The lyrics simply declare personal sovereignty, expressing equally well the thoughts of a
teenager, standing up to his parents; an adult, setting personal boundaries for a domineering lover, spouse, or friend; or
-- I like to think -- an overtaxed, overregulated citizen, rethinking his relationship to society and government.
[Submitted by James Merritt]
3 Song: 911 is a Joke
* Artist: Public Enemy
* Album: Fear of a Black Planet (Uni / Def Jam, 1990)
This is a witty little rap tune about a government service that costs lives by being slow -- and selective about which
neighborhoods get efficient government ambulance service. The lyrics say: "Hit me / Going going gone / Now I dialed
911 a long time ago / Don't you see how late they're reactin' / They only come when they wanna / so get the morgue,
embalm the goner / They don't care, 'cause they stay paid anyway / If your life is on the line, you're dead today...'Cause
911 is a fake life-saver." This was one of the first rap songs to take on the bad effects government has on inner cities --
besides police brutality and harassment.
[Submitted by Marc Brandl]
4 Song: Get Up, Stand Up
* Artist: Bob Marley & The Wailers
* Album: Burnin' (Tuff Gong / Island, 1973)
"Get up, stand up / Stand up for your rights / Get up, stand up / Don't give up the fight." It is the message of the Founding
Fathers set to a reggae beat. And Robert Nesta Marley (R.I.P.) had the spirit of a Founding Father with Rastafarian
dreads. Rastafarians believe in religious and personal freedom, including the freedom to smoke ganja (which is their
sacrament). Later, Marley sings: "Most people think / Great God will come from the sky / Take away everything / And
make everybody feel high / But if you know what life is worth / You will look for yours on Earth / And now you see the
light / You stand up for your rights." A worldwide classic of freedom and empowerment.
[Submitted by Andrew Williams]
22 Song: Legalize It
* Artist: Peter Tosh
* Album: Legalize It (CBS Records, 1976)
There may be more eloquently argued pro-marijuana legalization songs, and there may be more persuasive ones -- but
there are none more catchy or memorable. Over a slinky reggae beat, Tosh sings about his beloved ganja: "Legalize it,
yeah yeah / That's the best thing you can do." His rationale? Well, "Doctors smoke it / Nurses smoke it / Judges smoke it
/ Even the lawyers too." If that doesn't convince you, perhaps his medical arguments will: "It's good for the flu / it's good
for asthma / It's good for tuberculosis..." OK, so Tosh (who used to appear on stage with a cigar-sized spliff in hand),
won't win any debating points. But the song has become a pro-legalization classic because it's impossible not to sing
along with.
[Submitted by Paul Scott Williams]
23 Song: Rather Die Than Be Your Slave
* Artist: Poker Face
* Album: Sex, Lies and Politiks (PokerDudes, 2000)
This Allentown (PA) band is not to be believed! With a sound that is a cross between Creed, Alice in Chains, and Pink
Floyd, they grab you immediately with their music. The band's intense sound hammers the freedom message home in
song after song. My favorite song is "Rather Die Than Be Your Slave." The lyrics: "The sun rose high and burnt the night
away / Who stood before me was my enemy / Don't tread on me / He's come to take away my liberties / I'd rather die
than be a slave to thee / Don't tread on me!" The band never lets you forget their message.
[Submitted by Deb Sackett]
To sample the song that was listed please cut and paste this code or click on the link to hear our
song on Poker Radio.
<a href="http://www.pokerface.com/pfr.ram">
<img align="center" src="http://www.pokerface.com/linkus/slppoker.gif" border="0">
Play the Music - Real Audio</a>
http://www.pokerface.com/pfr.ram
http://www.pokerface.com/linkus/slppoker.gif
To view a list of all 25 groups please goto
Free Republic where it was posted completely...
http://www.FreeRepublic.com/forum/a3b6e00452c1b.htm
