Political Prog

For all the senseless deaths. Will this ever stop?

Freak Kitchen - Gun God

Formentera Lady wrote: I think that Progressive Rock as a genre defines itself by the musical style only, rather than the contents/meaning of the songs/lyrics. In prog any contents is possible. So I would expect political contents in progressive rock in about the same amount as can be found in other genres like jazz or pop-rock in general, no more, no less.

cstack3 wrote: David_D wrote: Formentera Lady wrote: Interesting thread! .............. Genesis - Get em out by Friday (against commercialism of living space) Thanks on behalf of all the contributors. I was just about to post this one, but you got a bit ahead of me.  I also was going to post it, good job!  This is a great thread!  Isn't much of Kraut Rock driven by political thinking?  Reaction to Nazism in WW2 etc.?  I'm mostly thinking of Amon Duul 2.  Also, industrial-rock band Einstürzende Neubauten was born out of the political tensions of East vs. West Germany.

One of the most notable bands to emerge from Krautrock's early days was Floh de Cologne, known for their theatrical performances, being a concert attraction in the late 1960s and early 1970s - Floh de Cologne shared the stage with Jimi Hendrix in 1970 at the Open Air Love & Peace Festival in Fenhmar, former West Germany, which was his last gig - and Marxist political views. The band's name itself, a play on words combining "eau de cologne" with the German word for flea, showcases their satirical and politically charged approach to music.

The lyrics of their songs are overtly political, expressing a clear preference for communist ideals over conforming to societal norms or being complicit in oppressive systems. Along with proudly carrying membership in the German Communist Party (DKP), their attitude also embodied the reaction to Nazism, the spirit of rebellion, and far-left activism, aligning with the broader countercultural sentiments of the era.

Krautrock pioneers Floh de Cologne plays live their song "Sei Ruhig Fließbandbaby" (which means 'Be Quiet Assembly Line Baby') in 1969:

The lyrics of the song "Plastic People" by Birth Control address the idea that people are becoming increasingly artificial, fake, and consumed by material possessions.

Interesting thread!

I think that Progressive Rock as a genre defines itself by the musical style only, rather than the contents/meaning of the songs/lyrics. In prog any contents is possible. So I would expect political contents in progressive rock in about the same amount as can be found in other genres like jazz or pop-rock in general, no more, no less.

Having said that, there are political songs in prog, and you named already a lot in this thread!

Here my favourites:

Oktober - Der Traum des Schmieds
(song with radical left wing agenda)

Yes - I've Seen All Good People
(a song for peace with reference to Instant Karma and Give Peace a Chance by John Lennon)

Supertramp - Fool's Overture
(anti-war)

Marillion - Forgotten Sons
(anti-war)

Genesis - Get em out by Friday
(against commercialism of living space)

Unitopia - Take Good Care
(for peace and environmental protection)

Galahad  - Seas of Change
(anti-Brexit)
see link above

I've made an anti-war neo-prog playlist when the full scale invasion started, check it here

Saperlipopette! wrote: I guess if one looks hard enough some kind of politics shines through in most art, but I prefer existential lyricism.

Edited by David_D - July 11 2024 at 02:03

"21st Century Schizoid Man" by King Crimson has lyrics, written by Peter Sinfield, that critique modern society and its fragmentation, drawing parallels with the disintegration of relationships.