Top 10 Most Political Rock Songs of the 2010s
Rock music has always had a rebellious streak, and the 2010s were no exception. From calling out corruption to rallying against injustice, bands used their music as a weapon, channeling anger, frustration, and hope into some of the most politically charged songs of the decade. Some tracks took direct aim at world leaders, while others tackled deeper systemic issues: war, economic inequality, corporate greed, or the erosion of civil liberties. And with social media amplifying their messages like never before, these songs didn't just live on albums. They became rallying cries for protests, soundtracks for resistance, and reminders that music can be more than just entertainment.So which of these politically charged rock anthems had the biggest impact? That's where you come in. Vote for the tracks you think deserve to be at the top. Maybe you're drawn to blistering punk songs that call for revolution, or perhaps you prefer hard-hitting metal tracks that confront the darker side of society. Either way, this list reflects a decade where rock stayed loud, defiant, and unafraid to take a stand.
Bad Religion is a band I knew would be included at some point. It's very rare for a punk band not to be political, unless they're a pop-punk band like Blink-182 or something. But as a whole, most punk bands and songs tend to be very political, especially Dead Kennedys or The Clash.
Rise Against definitely earned a spot on here, particularly with this song. It deals with the topic of American violence and is one of their best-crafted songs, if you ask me.
Anti-Flag is a band that isn't afraid to be political. This particular song drives home comments about consumerism, among many other things. The point they're trying to make here isn't hard to follow, especially considering it was released in 2010.
A song about the direction America was taking back in 2014 still seems somewhat relevant in 2020. It's just one of those songs, I suppose. Regardless, this is more of a minor entry, if anything.
Ever since Minority from Warning, Green Day hasn't been afraid to dive into politics. This is especially true given how political one of their most critically acclaimed albums, American Idiot, is. This song serves as a sarcastic middle finger to both Trump and his supporters and references the movie They Live in the music video.
This song touches on the topic of racism, evident through both the lyrics and the music video. I think the message is well-delivered and generally quite strong. Racism remains a relevant issue that has yet to be fully resolved over the years.
This is one of Sum 41's most political and aggressive songs to date, which doesn't surprise me given that they're the same band that made We're All to Blame from Chuck. Deryck's frustration in this song is directly targeted at Trump, as made evident by the music video. It's not the only anti-Trump song on the album Order in Decline, however.
Jello being Jello. Great song released in 2013.
The Newcomers
Released in 2019, this song offers a great description of what's happening right now. Anyone looking to check out a "modern" hardcore punk band should absolutely try these guys out.
Released in 2019 off their album "Crisis Point."
I have very mixed feelings toward Nickelback. However, the fact that they had the gall to make a song this political does take some guts. In my opinion, it's one of their better and more interesting songs. I've never cared much for their ballads, but their more aggressive songs, like this one, are pretty decent.