Top 10 Songs That Are Based on Real World Events

Muse
This double platinum hit was inspired by the G20 protests in London. In 2009, protesters came together against corporate greed and climate change inaction. While most of the protest was peaceful, an aggressive police force clashed with protesters and were responsible for the death of an innocent bystander. Taking inspiration from these events, Muse frontman Matt Bellamy channeled the protests into this glam rock inspired anthem. With signature 80s flare, Muse strikes a defiant tone, delivering pulsating performances from every instrument. Bellamy managed to craft a song that's worthy of a sing-along, but still carries a strong message underneath.

Joni Mitchell
In 1969, the legendary music festival at Woodstock, New York represented the pinnacle of American music and culture. While she didn’t attend, singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell captured the spirit of the event in this classic piano ballad. Mitchell’s inimitable talents contextualize Woodstock in a wistful and beautifully described tale. Her original version seamlessly takes the listener back to Max Yasgur’s farm, the site where music history changed forever. Later, a popular version was recorded by Woodstock attendees Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. No matter who sings it, “Woodstock” perfectly captures the mythical nature of the iconic festival.

Linkin Park
After the success of their first two albums, Linkin Park released Minutes to Midnight in 2007. The band continued their multi-genre success with singles like “What I’ve Done” and “Bleed It Out.” A lesser known track on the album called “The Little Things Give You Away” came with a heartfelt tribute to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Released two years after the tragedy, the band wanted to honor the victims and criticize the government’s response. It begins with an uncharacteristic acoustic guitar and singer Chester Bennington’s one-of-a-kind voice. The song defies all expectations in describing the plight of a hurricane victim. Shedding their rap rock roots, Linkin Park delivers a moving lament for those who struggled to recover from a natural disaster.

Foo Fighters
Formed in 1994 by Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters began as a post-Nirvana pet project for the drummer. By 2007, they’d won several Grammys and toured the world as a pre-eminent modern rock band. Their influence reached a group of miners in Tasmania that became trapped in a mineshaft. Waiting for rescue, one of the miners requested an iPod filled with Foo Fighters songs. This prompted Grohl to return the favor through song. Guest musician and accomplished guitarist Kaki King provided a memorable guitar duet with Grohl. A rare instrumental from the band, “The Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners” comes with one of the most original song origins in their catalog.

Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello made a name for himself in the late 70s and 80s for his insightful rock songwriting. “Let Him Dangle” is no different, describing the infamous Derek Bentley trial of 1953. Bentley and his partner Christopher Craig attempted to rob a warehouse, only for Craig to shoot and kill a policeman. Even though Bentley didn’t fire the gun, he allegedly uttered the words “Let him have it” to Craig. This led to Bentley’s controversial murder trial, in which he was sentenced to death. Costello offers up the facts with his trademark wit, in a rebuke of the death penalty. In a way only Elvis Costello could, “Let Him Dangle” deserves a spot for its sardonic and unique perspective on a landmark trial.

Bee Gees
Before their disco peak, the Bee Gees were churning out rock and folk inspired hits like “New York Mining Disaster 1941.” While the title suggests otherwise, the song actually found inspiration from a mining disaster in Wales. At a mine near Aberfan, a buildup of excess mine waste slid down a hillside and into the Welsh town. All told, the disaster claimed the lives of 144 people. The Gibb brothers spin a folk yarn about the horrible event, reminding everyone of the fragility of life. Even though it wrestles with a somber topic, the inventive tune features the inviting harmonies that made the band famous.

Scorpions
By the mid 80s, most people knew Scorpions as the heavy metal band responsible for jams like “Rock You Like a Hurricane.” In the early 90s, the German band switched gears to discuss the monumental changes taking place in Eastern Europe. After witnessing the dissolution of the Soviet Union firsthand, they wrote a song to commemorate the end of the Cold War. All these feelings morphed into the power ballad “Wind of Change.” Two years after the Berlin wall fell, Scorpions turned metal heads introspective with this moving piece. To top it all off, the song features a triumphant guitar solo courtesy of Rudolf Schenker. Regardless of your opinion on hard rock, this song carries enough substance to satisfy any music fan.

Rush
Progressive rock trio Rush made a name for themselves with intricate songwriting and complex instrumentation. On their third album, Rush brought history to life with their song “Bastille Day.” Recounting the 1789 storming of the Bastille, Neil Peart’s lyrics evoke the inciting moment of the French Revolution. Intended to recontextualize the event for a 1975 audience, Rush sought to remind people of the need to question authority. While more casual fans might reach for songs like “Tom Sawyer,” there’s a prevailing spirit and importance captured in this deep track. Not to mention, it's another in a line of technically masterful achievements from the Canadian legends.

Creedence Clearwater Revival
Creedence frontman John Fogerty wrote this song with Vietnam and the draft on his mind. Highly controversial at the time, a lottery system determined whether or not young men would have to serve. Fogerty cited President Eisenhower’s son David as inspiration when crafting “Fortunate Son,” often misinterpreted as a plainly patriotic song. David Eisenhower spent his military service in the Mediterranean, while the less fortunate were sent into the Vietnamese jungle. Beyond its extensive use in war films, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s masterpiece endures as a raucous protest song. All these years later, Fogerty’s howling vocal cements "Fortunate Son" as a legendary slice of 60s furor.

Before we unveil our top picks, here are a few honorable mentions.

“American Pie” (1971), Don McLean
A Folk Classic Inspired by the Tragic Deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, & The Big Bopper

“For What It’s Worth” (1966), Buffalo Springfield
A Protest Song About the Sunset Strip Curfew Riots with an Iconic Chorus

“Sunday Bloody Sunday” (1983), U2
An Anthem Inspired by 1972’s “Bloody Sunday” in Northern Island

The Cranberries
By the mid 90s, The Cranberries were known for alternative hits such as “Dreams” and “Linger.” One of their crowning achievements came with the protest song “Zombie.” Singer Dolores O’Riordan wrote the song about the 1993 bombings in Warrington, England. Carried out by the IRA, they were part of a series of attacks designed to pressure the UK into leaving Northern Ireland. Following in the footsteps of other Irish bands like U2, The Cranberries continued a long tradition of recounting "The Troubles." Serving as a passionate wakeup call to cyclical violence, the song builds to a compelling chorus of visceral emotion. To this day, “Zombie” rips through our hearts as a guttural cry for non-violence.