Skip to main content
C
CateazM
Community Champion ⭐
September 23, 2020

Rock Songs About History

  • September 23, 2020
  • 79 replies
  • 61585 views

What songs tell a story about historic events, places or people. 

 

I'll start with a true favorite: Roads to Moscow- Al Stewart

From his 1973 Past, Present and Future album

 

This song tells the story of the German invasion of Russia in WWII. Each verse  beautifully captures the different aspects of the conflict as seen through the eyes of a Russian soldier. When you listen, you can almost see the aspects of the campaign happening.

 

      79 replies

      Show previous replies
      DarcyFarrow
      DarcyFarrow
      Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
      September 30, 2020

      Impi (Johnny Clegg)

       

      From Wikipedia:  "The album's lead single, "Impi", with its pointedly political lyrics about a defeat of the colonial British army by the Zulus at the Battle of Isandlwana, was banned by South African radio"

      MaVolta
      MaVolta
      Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
      October 3, 2020

      Catherine Howard's Fate  -  Blackmore's Night

       

      Catherine Howard was the fifth wife of King Henry VIII, and the second to be executed for "treason" (adultery).

       

       

       

       

      “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” - Jimi Hendrix
      J
      JohnD131536
      Community Champion ⭐⭐
      October 3, 2020

      Bring Back Those Do Wops - the Bagdads

      DarcyFarrow
      DarcyFarrow
      Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
      October 4, 2020

      Joanni (Kate Bush)--about Joan of Arc

        J
        JohnD131536
        Community Champion ⭐⭐
        October 4, 2020

        I Remember The Night - the Newtones

          MaVolta
          MaVolta
          Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
          October 4, 2020

          Sympathy For The Devil  -  The Stones

           

          Several historical references are mentioned - 

          Jesus and Pilate

          The Russian Revolution 1917 and killing of the royal family

          World War II and Hitler's blitzkrieg

          The killing of the Kennedys

          A reference to killings in India possibly referring to a religious cult

           

           

           

           

          “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” - Jimi Hendrix
            DarcyFarrow
            DarcyFarrow
            Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
            October 6, 2020

            Killing of Georgie (Parts I & II) (Rod Stewart)

             

            From Wikipedia:  "In the May 1995 issue of Mojo, Stewart explained: 'That was a true story about a gay friend of The Faces. He was especially close to me and Mac. But he was knifed or shot, I can't remember which.'"

              C
              CateazMAuthor
              Community Champion ⭐
              October 9, 2020

              Warren Harding- Al Stewart

              From Past, Present and Future album

              Telling the story of Warren Harding, 29th US President from 1921-1923 and an alleged scandal with an immigrant bootlegger

               

                J
                JohnD131536
                Community Champion ⭐⭐
                October 10, 2020

                Memories Of Yesterday - the Five Crowns

                  DarcyFarrow
                  DarcyFarrow
                  Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
                  October 27, 2020

                  All and Everyone-- by PJ Harvey -- About the the battle of Gallipoli

                    1
                    1968Hoya46
                    Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
                    October 28, 2020

                    P.T. 109: Jimmy Dean 

                      DarcyFarrow
                      DarcyFarrow
                      Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
                      November 11, 2020

                      We Work the Black Seam Together (Sting)--concerning the 1984 miners strike in England

                        DarcyFarrow
                        DarcyFarrow
                        Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
                        November 11, 2020

                        They Dance Alone (Sting)--concerning the Disappeared in Chile during Pinochet's regime 

                          DarcyFarrow
                          DarcyFarrow
                          Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
                          November 16, 2020

                          Juarez (Tori Amos):  From Flavorwire:  "As you might expect of a song about the border-town murders of hundreds of women, “Juarez” is incredibly haunting."

                            1
                            1968Hoya46
                            Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
                            November 16, 2020

                            Good Timin’: Jimmie Jones

                              DarcyFarrow
                              DarcyFarrow
                              Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
                              November 21, 2020

                              Telegraph Road (Dire Straits)--about the development of an actual road in LA

                               

                              "A long time ago came a man on a track
                              Walking thirty miles with a sack on his back
                              And he put down his load where he thought it was the best
                              Made a home in the wilderness"

                                Show more replies
                                Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement