A few days ago, The Black Eyed Peas released a new remix of their song “Where Is The Love?”, including some new lyrics and a music video full of celebrity voices and iconic images of the violence and chaos that’s happening both in America and other areas of the world. The video includes imagery and lyrics about the Black Lives Matter movement, the bombings in Syria, the oppression of women and LGBTQ+ in many areas of the Middle East, and many other topical subjects. While this song isn’t the first of its kind, it does remind us that protest songs can come in many forms, including the kind that talk of spreading love and overcoming the hatred in the world. Below I’ve compiled a list of protest songs with positive messages that may lift your spirits when you feel like the world is a dark place getting darker.

1. Where Is The Love? Remix- The Black Eyed Peas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsRMoWYGLNA

This song is only available for a very short time to buy on iTunes and Apple Music.

2. She Keeps Me Warm- Mary Lambert

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhqH-r7Xj0E

She may not have known it, but Mary Lambert was making a statement when she wrote this song, and it resonated in the hearts of the LGBT+ community for years.

3. Same Love- Macklemore

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlVBg7_08n0

Though this song features Mary Lambert and some of the lyrics from her own song, Macklemore used his individual fame to bring awareness to the homophobia that LGBT+ people face in everyday life.

4. Take Me To Church- Hozier

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYSVMgRr6pw

While it's mostly the music video that promotes activism and anti-homophobia, the lyrics support the video and make it a protest song for all who hear it.

5. Mosh- Eminem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj_dTZ4KL3Y

I mean, who doesn't love Eminem? He's political, he's not afraid of offending people, and he's always speaking his mind.

6. Chains- Usher

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slN1CEUhA-E

Usher is an artist who's not afraid to call out the USA on their B.S. and this song definitely shows that.

7. Formation- Beyonce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfMlFxrMb18

Seriously, need I say more? It's Beyonce. You better get in formation.

8. One Day- Matisyahu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRmBChQjZPs

Just like "Where Is The Love?", this song promotes world peace and encourages people to be accepting of people who are not like them.

These are just some of the fantastic protest songs that relate to current world issues, and you can find protest songs of any genre of music these days. The list of protest songs to lift your spirits or inspire you to act out goes on and on, and is only minimally represented here. Go out and let these songs and their messages lead your lives towards justice for all.