Catherine Cox ’29
Staff Writer
Amid the student protests in Paris for better curriculum and conditions within the French education system, I have seen a flourishing in the arts and music within the movement. All throughout my Instagram feed, I have seen the protesters form protective circles around the bands who are playing the soundtracks to the movement during the Parisian protests. With the orchestra who played selections from famous film scores getting tear gassed, and protesters singing the famous socialist revolutionary anthem, “L’Internationale,” I began to think about what my soundtrack would be to this revolution, as the music is keeping the protesters in high spirits and motivated.
“The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” by Gil Scott-Heron
This track is a spoken word protest song, released in 1971, which focuses on mainstream ideas, pop culture, and references to the imagery that reminds us of television, in relation to the civil rights social issues of the era. As the visual elements we see in the media take away from the reality of what is really going on, Gil Scott-Heron calls on the listeners to stand up for what they believe in, for “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.”
“Life During Wartime” by Talking Heads
This track off of Talking Heads’ album Fear of Music (1979) talks about the dystopian wartime state that lead singer David Byrne imagines through the narrative of the lyrics within the song. Through this driving beat, coupled with a running choreography when performed live, it creates a sense of urgency and anxiety within the track. As Byrne sings, “This ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco / This ain’t no fooling around,” the listener can get the sense of intensity of the wartime that the song describes.
“La Marseillaise” by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle
As it was banned under the reigns of Napoleon I, Louis XVIII, and Charles X, due to the strong republicanism ideas that it represented, the now French national anthem has been an anthem of rebellion throughout the protests in Paris, as the protestors sing it in the streets to show their patriotism to the country, all while protesting against the education systems that do not serve the French students well.
“Blitzkrieg Bop” by Ramones
A classic punk track, “Blitzkrieg Bop” by Ramones is a track for mobilization. As the track chants, “Hey! Ho! Let’s Go!,” coupled with the iconic guitar riff of the track, it definitely can get people up on their feet and ready to stand up for what they believe in. The punk movement of New York City in the 1970s was a movement about authenticity, anti-authority, and standing up for the individual’s beliefs and rights, something that the Paris protests can take inspiration from.
“100 Horses” by Geese
This track from Geese’s latest album, Getting Killed (2025), discusses the topics of the need for radical change and revolution, as they describe the “times of war” in the track. Geese’s lead singer, Cameron Winter, sings on the track, “All people must go dancing/ Out on the dancing floors,” something ironic to the war-like state that the band is describing within the track. As he reasons that “There is only dance music in times of war,” I am reminded of the music that has kept those participating in the Parisian protests going throughout this movement.
Music has always been a great way to spread change and awareness to important social causes and issues. Throughout history, we have seen anthems mark eras with the music and lyricism that relate to the issue, as we continue to see throughout modern times today. As the Paris protests continue, I hope to see more videos of peaceful protests, along with the musicians in the streets of Paris that keep the protestors going, entertained, and in good spirits.
Copy Edited by Claire Flynn ‘29
Featured image courtesy of Reuters
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