Songs About Protesting

Updated September 1, 2024

Several musicians have explored Songs About Protesting. We assembled 24 of the top ones.

Walls Could Talk by Halsey

From the album, hopeless fountain kingdom (Deluxe), released on June 2, 2017

The song is about a relationship that ended badly, and the singer regrets not being able to talk to her former partner about what went wrong. The production is minimal, with a simple piano melody and Halsey's vocals.

Confident by Demi Lovato

From the album, Confident, released on January 1, 2015

"Confident" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato, from her fifth studio album of the same name (2015). The song was released as the album's lead single through Hollywood Records and Island Records on September 18, 2015. It was produced by Max Martin, Ilya Salmanzadeh, and Savan Kotecha. The song is an anthemic, soulful pop and R&B track, with a lyrical content that revolve around Lovato's confidence and assurance, with lines such as: "What's wrong with being confident? / I'mma show you how it's supposed to be". The single received generally positive reviews from music critics and peaked at number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also received a Platinum certification in the US.

Mother's Daughter by Miley Cyrus

From the album, SHE IS COMING, released on May 31, 2019

"Mother's Daughter" is a song by American singer-songwriter Miley Cyrus, released on June 11, 2019, as the lead single from her seventh studio album, She Is Miley Cyrus. The song was written by Cyrus, Andrew Wyatt and Ali Payami, and produced by Payami. The song is an empowering pop anthem about female empowerment and liberation. The song's lyrics are about self-sufficiency, independence and taking control of one's own life. The song also touches on themes of sexuality, body ownership and freedom of expression. The song features Cyrus singing in an intense, high-energy vocal delivery. The accompanying music video, which was released the same day as the single, features Cyrus performing in a number of different looks, including a black bodysuit covered in the words "Mother's Daughter" and a pink wig. It also features cameos by celebrities like RuPaul, Big Freedia, and Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness. The song has received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its empowering message and Cyrus' vocal delivery. It became Cyrus' first top 10 single on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it peaked at number 8.

Born This Way by Lady Gaga

From the album, Born This Way (Special Edition), released on January 1, 2011

"Born This Way" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga, from her second studio album of the same name. It was released as the album's lead single on February 11, 2011. The song was written by Gaga, RedOne and Jeppe Laursen, and was produced by the latter two. It has a dance-pop and EDM sound, and is backed by rumbling synthesizers and features a spoken bridge before the chorus. The song's lyrics refer to self-empowerment and self-acceptance. Gaga has described the song as a "freedom anthem". "Born This Way" received widespread critical acclaim and has been listed by several critics as one of the best songs of all time. It was nominated for Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the 54th Grammy Awards, and won the Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance. It also reached number one in over 25 countries.