Top 10 Most Political Bands

No question here. Every song these guys write is like an enormous middle finger to the U.S. government. With Zack de la Rocha's unmatchable rage and scream-rap style, Tim Commerford's funky bass, Brad Wilk's pounding drums, and Tom Morello's insane guitar capabilities, Rage's music is still relevant 20 years after it first came out.

Without a doubt the most overtly leftist political band to gain a large following... And unlike an unfortunately large amount of political music RATM slaps

Has there even been a more famous overtly political band?

Every song and every meaning hits me like a damn juggernaught

Green Day only started to get political after they released "American Idiot", but they have picked up where Rage left off and have been the leading proponent against the government. "American Idiot" as a whole was almost like a diss album to the entire Bush administration, and everybody in America could relate.

They aren't specifically known for their political music, but when they do get political, they are loud, aggressive and fearless.

This is a very good and meaningful list. I respect bands that dare to write political songs.

Come on they just wrote the best political song, so they deserve to be #1.

They aren't a metal band but I agree with everything else. Everyone who would probably disagree with "they aren't metal", is kindly invited to consult my list "Top 10 Bands that Aren't Metal According to Encyclopaedia Metallum".

With songs about the Armenian Genocide, government corruption, and media manipulation, System of a Down is a great metal bands that knows how to get their point across with force.

They were very politically charged, often calling for things like the recognition of the Armenian genocide by the USA.

Great band, will always be a fan.

With albums like "United Abominations" and many of their songs talking about a "New World Order", Dave's lyrics are driven and hard to beat in terms of songwriting.

One of the best examples is Peace Sells. Video helps to understand the song. Musically, this is one of my favorite Megadeth songs.

Many songs and the entire album "...And Justice for All", where the lyrics feature themes of political and legal injustice seen through the prisms of censorship, war, and nuclear brinkmanship.

"Help is on the way " is a very good example

The O.G.'s of punk rock. With only one album, the Pistols took on the entire U.K. and Sid Vicious' music and messages through songs like "Anarchy in the UK" and "God Save the Queen" have been the motto for young government hating Brits for decades.

With a rock-flavored hip hop sound, Chuck D, Flava Flav and the boys have been making insightful messages about the social problems in America for 30+ years. No more is this more truthful than their masterpiece albums of "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back", "Fear of a Black Planet", and "Apocalypse 91...The Enemy Strikes Back".

Fight the Power!... I mean... come on

Unlike your little pop rock bands *cough green day cough* these guys were ALWAYS political, and managed to be enjoyable at the same time. With Jello's persistent use of Juvenalian satire and compelling stage presence along with East Bay Ray's rapid surf guitar style, these guys were killers in the punk scene and had something to say about just about anything or anyone too.

With a band name that sums up the group's political intent, the Dead Kennedy's were among the leaders in the hardcore punk scene of the '80s. They held nothing back in criticizing the government, the Reagan administration in particular.

I don't even know why green day is on here.

They have many political songs, sot hey qualify. Yeah, they're not as biting as the Dead Kennedys, but they're still political overall.

The Clampdown, Straight to Hell, Career Opportunities, dare I say Rock the Casbah, Know Your Rights, cover of Police and Thieves, Police On My Back, Spanish Bombs, Hate & War, Charlie Don’t Surf, Ivan Meets GI Joe, Ghetto Defendant, Bank Robber, One More Time/Dub, Washington Bullets, White Man in Hammersmith Palais, The Call Up, English Civil War, The Guns of Brixton, Kingston Advice,Justice Tonight/Kick It Over, London Calling.
This was all before social media and 24/7 news.

To my recollection Freddie was the 1st world wide celebrity to pass from HIV and losing such a talent from the world, I believe was the start of a real togetherness of fighting HIV and the beginning of acceptance of the gay community.

Angst of teens in inner cities, telling us what was really going on and what they saw living through it. Most of America had no idea, I didn't

N.W.A were pretty much against everything and everybody, put they put special emphasis on the mistreatment of African Americans in the U.S., and the issue of police brutality. And with the current news stories of today, Dre, Cube, E, Ren, and Yella's music will never lose its impact.

The band that was the leader in the anti-Vietnam War movement. Songs like "Fortunate Son" can really just speak for themselves.

The Vietnam war from a California Berkeley perspective.

I know it might be weird to place a relatively calm band like U2 on a list with metal, punk rock, and hip hop groups, but in their early days U2 was not afraid to challenge the government of Ireland. None is that more apparent than protest songs like "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "New Year's Day".

The first voice in Ireland I ever heard , 1st world citizens who really brought a more world view to my late GenX age group.

Not only political with their music, but with their causes.

Unlike many of the other bands on this list, Midnight Oil made sure to sing about making the world a better place, not just tearing it down, and they have always taken actions far beyond the music.

Their music never takes a back seat to message and neither does the poetry of the lyrics. They are artists and musicians whose work stands alone as some of the most brilliant rock music ever made which happens to also have meaningful and inspiring lyrics.

Their lead Singer became a politician. That should give everyone an idea of how political this band is

Clearly the most politically driven band of all time

Just listen to beds are burning

Should be number 1 or 2 for consistency.

I mean they have an entire album dedicated to Drone warfare, a song called uprising, and the ultimate "screw you hitler" song: Take a bow

They are tireless in their efforts fighting for causes, their music has always been political and name another band to take Ticketmaster to supreme court to try and lower ticket surcharges for their fans