Been thinking a bit about this, popular music (the ones that hit top 100 charts or whatever) never has lyrics that point out real problems or point to culprits and how they’re fucking our shit, which is very easy to find in punk rock and some variations, as well as rap.
Of course, part of the problem are the record labels themselves, which often hold artists “hostage” in order to profit off them. Bigger ones will obviously prefer to avoid having such lyrics become popular.
Still, there seems to be absolute zero songs in certain genres that even come within 10 meters of talking/singing/teaching/bringing awareness about situations that affect a LOT of listeners, even from far away, and would be extremely helpful in spreading some knowledge.
Granted, doing so is easier said than done, a catchy tune that calls out big oil’s many attempts to burn the world, or big pharma’s frequent price gouging, aren’t things “any idiot” can come up with. But that nobody outside “angry” genres seems to be doing it is what saddens me.
IDLES are getting pretty popular and they are very vocal about social justice and politics. Still not a top 100 charts band though.
Things were a bit different in the 80s and 90s I would say, with songs like “Land of Confusion” by Genesis and “Civil War” by Guns n’ Roses charting in the top 10.
I think the reason we dont hear much music that is critical about current events in the charts is a consumer problem though. Mary and John just don’t want to listen to stuff that is uncomfortable. Record Labels would definitely produce music like that again, if it would be profitable.