Music can move us in many different ways, and some songs encourage us to think about the society we live in and consider how it might change for the better. KZSM 104.1/ KZSM.org now brings you “Music and Revolution” Wednesdays 11 a.m. to noon. Focusing on just one song each week, host Rolf Straubhaar explores the power of music as a force for inspiration.
“The songs that I first thought of were ones that have had multiple lives and long histories of social impact,” he explains. These memorable songs come from all eras and genres, encompassing traditional folk-inspired songs like Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land,” pop social commentary like Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5,” protest songs like “Ohio,” by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, and rock anthems like Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA!”
This Wednesday’s show will feature “People Get Ready,” by Curtis Mayfield. “That was a song that was thoroughly ensconced in the civil rights struggle” Rolf explains. “Dr. King would use that song; it was something that you would sing during a march. So there are some great old recordings of that song that I’ll include.”
Each episode of “Music and Revolution” begins with a snapshot of the composer’s life, followed by the story of the creation of the song. Then, “I dive into the lyrics, and for most of these songs, they’ve become influential enough that there are a lot of really good covers out there, so I’m able to play a lot of different versions as I go through each verse.” Different versions often expand the perspectives of the song into new territory and bring out new meanings.
Rolf also reflects on his personal connection with the song. For instance, the Woody Guthrie song evoked his grandfather’s stories of riding the rails in the 1930s.
“Music and Revolution” reveals the depth of his knowledge and appreciation of music. “I am the kind of music nerd that has, like, 50 lists of songs that I associate in certain ways, or top five songs that talk about X, or that kind of thing,” he admits. The show offers insights into culture and history delivered through memorable music and entertainment. Did you know that Woody Guthrie wrote “This Land of Your Land” as an answer to “God Bless America”? I didn’t. Tune in Wednesdays to appreciate how music shapes social movements and social change.
