I think the very idea of "too political" is explicitly promulgated by the oligarchs to suppress dissent, and the same oligarchs happen to own all the means of music distribution.
This is a fascinating analysis. I just wrote on music and politics and as a political consultant, I think it's interesting that while there has been a resurgence in music/politics overlap in recent years, 2025 has been a decidedly nonpolitical year in music.
I'm curious what words you used besides the one's mentioned, which would seem to identify left-leaning songs. For example, did you search for more ambiguous terms such as "freedom"? Would your search have identified Merle Haggard's right-wing song "Okie from Muskogee" as political?
I think another factor you haven't stressed is that many top rock stars became very rich.
I think the very idea of "too political" is explicitly promulgated by the oligarchs to suppress dissent, and the same oligarchs happen to own all the means of music distribution.
This is a fascinating analysis. I just wrote on music and politics and as a political consultant, I think it's interesting that while there has been a resurgence in music/politics overlap in recent years, 2025 has been a decidedly nonpolitical year in music.
Nice work! I’ve always been curious about this question but never been sure how to address it
I'm curious what words you used besides the one's mentioned, which would seem to identify left-leaning songs. For example, did you search for more ambiguous terms such as "freedom"? Would your search have identified Merle Haggard's right-wing song "Okie from Muskogee" as political?
Very good point. Almost all of Charlie Daniels' ouvre fits this, too.