Just like opression and uprising, music and politics is not a rare combination. We’ve seen musicians rely on the power of song to spread revolutionary messages and anti-war sentiments but whether they are effective through numbers is inconclusive. This Monday, we’re counting down seven of our favourite political bands.

Bob Marley & The Wailers
Song pick: I Shot the Sheriff
The king of reggae was often frustrated with the political and cultural conditions in his homeland, Jamaica resulting in many politically-charged hits. Joined by his backing band The Wailers, songs like ‘I Shot the Sheriff’ and ‘Get Up, Stand Up’ were vital in cultivating political activism among his fans. Rather than lament about unfortunate circumstances, Marley’s approach was to ignite hands-on action through his songwriting.

The Weavers
Song pick: Where Have All the Flowers Gone?
Many of us may not be familiar with the American folk quartet but its famed member Pete Seeger is known for writing ‘Where Have All the Flowers Gone?’ which quickly rose to become an anti-war anthem in the early ‘60s. The song has since been covered to no end, including a live U2 version. Seeger had also expressed his opposition of the Vietnam War through various songs on his solo album.

Public Enemy
Song pick: Fight the Power
The American group pretty much defined the rap metal genre subsequently helping the sound achieve mainstream success and increased media coverage. Claimed to be the most successful hip hop group of all time, Public Enemy often writes about frustrations and concerns surrounding the African-American community. Following their openly-political themes, many Gil Scott-Heron fans moved on to support the group.

Rage Against the Machine
Song pick: Killing in the Name
It used to be cool to crank up RATM on your Walkman while your friends suss your ‘rebel’ ways out. The rap metal band branded themselves as ‘fiercely leftist’ and would often sing about anti-commercialism and the ‘ugliness’ of a corporate America. During an SNL performance in 1996, the band suspended two upside-down American flags from the amplifiers resulting in censorship of the band's segment. RATM disbanded in 2000 making way for the birth of Audioslave.

Manic Street Preachers
Song pick: Love's Sweet Exile
Leave it to the ‘90s Welsh band to make songs about politics and socialism as well as ‘culture, alienation, boredom and despair’ to sound so... nice. While they started off more heavy and radical in sound than they are today, they were never angry to the point of being unappealing. Gems include ‘If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next’, ‘A Design for Life’ and ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’.

The Clash
Song pick: Rock the Casbah
An obvious pick when naming political bands, British punk band The Clash need no introduction. Politically charged and outspoken, their leftist ideology was evident in many of their songs, which consisted of high-energy rants over reggae basslines with punk electronic guitar and vocals.