In this weeks episode of Soundtrack for a Revolution, we will be looking at two songs that offer relatively short and screamed criticisms on money. These two tracks were chosen because the control of money and the power that comes with controlling money has been one of the criticisms of coming out of the Occupy movements. Indeed, Wall Street was selected for occupation for a reason: a number of reasons, if you are willing to listen.

The first song of this episode is from a female-fronted anarcho-punk band from New York that is named after a character from Conan the Barbarian. The band is Thulsa Doom (who I did not know of until I saw From the Back of the Room, a documentary about women in punk rock) and the song is "Money," which can be found on their 1999 release Desensitized EP.


Lyrics:
Money makes the world go 'round, or so that's what they say.
But no one pays the sun to turn the night back in to day.
And all the plants and animals don't know the value of a dollar.
And so this man-made symbol adds to a word that's so unnatural.

People no longer worship gods, they now worship federal notes.
Putting all their faith and trust in corporation cut-throats.
They work like slaves every day so their bosses can get rich.
Then they turn around and spend what little they make on useless shit.

Money is the root of all evil.
Money is the shackle of the new slave owner.
Money is the root of all evil.
Don't let it get you, you've got to break free.

Each word is imprinted with four words I can't believe.
"In God we Trust" is bullshit and freedom will never ring.
The dollar bill is nothing, but it tends to rule our lives.
Each bill is just a link in the shackles of our pride.

Money makes the world go 'round, or so that's what they say.
But no one pays the sun to turn the night back in to day.
And all the plants and animals don't know the value of a dollar.
And so this man-made symbol adds to a word that's so unnatural.

Money is the root of all evil.
Money is the shackle of the new slave owner.
Money is the root of all evil.
Don't let it get you, you've got to break free.

Money is the root of all evil.
Money is the root of all evil.
Money is the root of all evil.
Money is the root of all evil. 


Money is the root of all evil.
Money is the shackle of the new slave owner.
Money is the root of all evil.
Don't let it get you, you've got to break free.

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The second song comes from another anarcho-punk band based out of New York City, with this band being one of the bands to put C-Squat on the map for those of us who have no reason to know what that is. The band is Choking Victim and the song is "Money," which is from their first and only full-length album No Gods/No Managers, released in 1999.

This track contains an audio clip of professor Michael Parenti (an American writer, professor, and cultural critic) discussing the role of the police, which should clarify any confusion there might be around why it is acceptable to beat protesters.


Lyrics:
I am sick and tired and my money's always spent.
And though their jobs are killing me, their money pays my rent.
The fuel of world hate, although it's just a seed.
But when it grows and flowers, it becomes the world's greed.

Money for the rich, money for the fed.
God supplies the money and God supplies the dead.
And when 'yer dead and ready, "exploited" be thy name.
'Cause after you have money, things are never quite the same.

I don't care for money, and money's not for me.
The money fueled this empire and our racist history.
Although I'm forced to use it, the rules have all been set.
But life is not worth living when 'yer soul is in debt!

Money for the rich, money for the fed.
God supplies the money and God supplies the dead.
And when 'yer dead and ready, "exploited" be thy name.
'Cause after you have money, things are never quite the same.

Money kills!
Money rapes!
Money lies!
Money hates!

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Wow, what a bunch of downers! Join me next time for another dose of music fueled by injustice. You are welcome to send suggestions or make your own blog post! Send an e-mail to [email protected], or go read the first post in this series and find my e-mail address.