Energizing Songs for Challenging Times
Our playlist of empowering songs — new and old — will supercharge your spirits and inspire you to keep fighting
We’ve made you a giant playlist of pop songs — from the 1960s to 2024 — that are in some way relevant to the current political moment.
The songs cover many genres — rock, folk, country, hip-hop, soul, and, yes, one from Broadway. Some are meant to keep you feeling powerful, hopeful, happy. Others may release your anger, or comfort you. Some you know. Many will be new.
If you have thoughts about our playlist (which was compiled by Crimson Goes Blue member and former music reviewer Michael Small) — and if you’re a member of Crimson Goes Blue — we hope you’ll chime in on our Facebook page.
Or, if you have friends who are not members and might enjoy a little uplift, our playlist is accessible to everyone. So please share this page.
Our Playlist for Democrats
(54 songs, 3 hours)
Listen on: Spotify Apple Music Youtube
Do you prefer a specific mood or topic? We chose songs from our main playlist for these shorter playlists:
Songs to Energize You
Rev up and get empowered! (26 songs; 87 minutes)
Listen on: Spotify Apple Music
Songs of Hope
Gentle and upbeat (21 songs; 78 minutes)
Listen on: Spotify Apple Music
Resist Trump Songs
Let out your defiance. (14 songs; 47 minutes)
Listen on: Spotify Apple Music
(For more about our song selection, scroll down.)
Video Highlights
In 2017, at the time of anti-Trump protest marches, Entrance wrote a song called “I’m Not Gonna Say Your Name” to raise money for Planned Parenthood. The lyrics have lost none of their relevance. Definitely worth watching on Youtube.
The most blunt — and catchiest — hip-hop anthem that skewers Donald Trump is 2016’s “FDT.” It was so successful that two groups of rappers released two versions. If you want to hear it, start with the second version, with lyrics that seem a bit more relevant today. Watch on Youtube.
Out of all the empowerment songs, Sara Bareilles’ “Brave” comes with the video that is most likely to get you dancing — without being embarrassed about it. Enjoy the vibe on Youtube.
Song Selection Notes
By Michael Small
When I created these playlists for Crimson Goes Blue, I had a few goals…
Energize You
Everything we need to do in 2025 takes a lot of energy. When you’re flagging, Beyonce’s “Freedom” can boost you. So I looked for other songs with the same oomph. Turns out, there’s a whole genre of recent empowerment songs. Though I had heard Sia’s “Unstoppable,” Katy Perry’s “Firework,” Audra Day’s “Rise Up,” Carrie Underwood’s “The Champion,” Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb,” and Sara Bareilles “Brave,” I never focused on the lyrics until now. They’re surprisingly motivating — so you might want to listen too.
Expand Musical Horizons
I know. Many of you still prefer the music you loved in college. And I’m all in favor of that. But if you want to hear “Imagine” and “Blowing in the Wind,” you don’t need my two cents. You can concoct your own playlist. So even though I included a few motivating classics like Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” and Peter, Paul & Mary’s lively version of “This Land Is Your Land” (which was on the first record album I ever owned), I tried to include pop songs from every recent decade. Those of us who graduated in the ‘60s and ‘70s may have to stretch a little to take in The Briggs’ funny punk anthem “Control Alt-Right Delete”. But this is my attempt to help your ears — and your soul — stay young. You’re welcome.
Mix It Up
On our main playlist, I intentionally mixed topics and styles. So the 2009 power anthem “Uprising” by Muse (one of the loudest songs on the list) is followed by Bruce Springsteen’s soft and profound 1992 song “If I Should Fall Behind” (which I thought might take on new meaning if you’re on a canvassing trip). Then there’s Bob Marley’s “One Love” from 1965. I hope you find the variety stimulating. But just in case that’s not your thing, I divided the songs into three other playlists — one energizing, one hopeful, and one all about Trump — so you can hear only what you want.
Infinite thanks for what you’re doing to support Democrats — and thanks for listening.