Anarchy has long inspired poets, artists, songwriters, and musicians alike. Throughout many decades, writers have written down their views on anarchy.
Below, we’ve ranked 20 of the best songs that have to do with anarchy. These songs are in some way about anarchy — sometimes in major ways, other times by just referencing anarchic actions (such as starting a riot)!
1. “Anarchy in the U.K.” by The Sex Pistols
“Anarchy in the U.K.” by the Sex Pistols is often touted as the best song about anarchy ever made. The Sex Pistols released this song on their 1976 album Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols.
The song became a hit when it was first released, though it has never stopped being a huge punk song for many. Rolling Stone even considers it one of the greatest songs of all time!
Throughout the song, The Sex Pistols sing, “I wanna be anarchy” — which is the entire meaning of the song.
2. “Killing in the Name” by Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine released “Killing in the Name” on their 1992 album Rage Against the Machine. The song was written as a protest song against police brutality, specifically after the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
Many believe “Killing in the Name” is one of the best songs about anarchy — even if the lyrics don’t explicitly mention anarchy or riots. However, the song does question people who do what others tell them to — before finally saying “I won’t do what ya tell me”.
3. “Anarchy For Sale” by Dead Kennedys
“Anarchy For Sale” by Dead Kennedys is an interesting song, as the band criticizes the very punk scene they are a part of — and that they helped create. In this 1986 song, the band says that anarchy and the punk scene are now a fashion statement.
Punk bands aren’t being listened to by people who are looking for real anarchic music. Instead, it’s a fashion statement. As a result, anarchy is now for sale, according to the Dead Kennedys!
4. “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2” by Pink Floyd
Many often tout “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2” by Pink Floyd as a great example of a song about anarchy. This classic rock song — which was a huge hit when it was released in 1979 — was initially written as a protest song against corporal punishment.
However, since its release in the 70s, the song has become a bit of an anarchy song. Now, many listen to it and can use it to fit their own views, especially when it comes to their disappointment with their government.
5. “Anarchist” by YUNGBLUD
In “Anarchist”, YUNGBLUD discusses how he was different from others — and how people considered him an anarchist, as a result. Throughout this 2018 song, YUNGBLUD talks about his difficulties growing up.
He was energetic and had his own opinions. As a result, others called him an anarchist. However, as he sings in this song, there could be a link that he relates to this — or, at least, believes himself to be an anarchist compared to other kids. This song mainly focuses on his relationship with society, rather than with the government.
6. “Uprising” by Muse
Muse released “Uprising” on their 2009 album Resistance, an album which was heavily inspired by George Orwell’s novel 1984. Therefore, “Uprising” deals with uprising against a government that is controlling people.
“Uprising” became a huge hit for Muse when the band first released it. The song hit the top charts in various countries around the world!
7. “God Save the Queen” by The Sex Pistols
Another song by The Sex Pistols! This Sex Pistols song, first released in 1977, became a huge hit in the United Kingdom upon its release. While this song doesn’t outright call for anarchy, the topic of the song itself is anarchic.
After all, the song opens with the lyrics “God save the Queen / The fascist regime”. This, in itself, goes against the British government.
Later on in the song, the band sings that there “is no future for you… for me”. The royal family has ruined everything, according to the band, thanks to their wars and actions.
8. “Packaged Rebellion” by Anthrax
Anthrax released “Packaged Rebellion” on their 1993 album Sound of White Noise. The metal song itself can appear vague upon first listen. However, Anthrax’s Scott Ian explains that the song was written as a response to anarchy and rebellion becoming mainstream and popular in the 90s.
Many people were dressing how punk and metal bands used to. They were attending Lollapooloza and other mainstream rock festivals — but still giving money to “buy” this punk or anarchic lifestyle.
Anthrax mentions this in the chorus of the song with the lyrics, “Gone, take your packaged rebellion / Move on, revolution on your sleeve / If you say, mean it / If you mean it, do it / You can’t live your life through me”.
9. “April 29, 1992” by Sublime
Rage Against the Machine wasn’t the only band inspired by the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Sublime also found inspiration in their anger and ended up writing “April 29, 1992” as a result!
However, this Sublime song differs greatly from “Killing in the Name” by Rage Against the Machine. In this song, Sublime sings about looting and committing crimes during the riots in LA in 1992.
The band sings, “April 26th, 1992 / There was a riot on the streets, tell me, where were you? / You were sitting home watching your TV / While I was participatin’ in some anarchy”.
10. “Baby, I’m an Anarchist” by Against Me
Against Me’s 2002 song “Baby, I’m an Anarchist” details different feelings of anarchy. For the most part, the song targets others who say they want anarchy, but actually don’t do anything to receive this anarchy.
For example, in the chorus, Against Me calls out “spineless liberals” who walked side by side with them in protest. However, “When it came time to throw bricks / Through that Starbucks window / You left me all alone”.
11. “American Idiot” by Green Day
Green Day released “American Idiot” as their first single off their 2004 album of the same name. While the song doesn’t outright call for or discuss anarchy, many themes are anarchic in nature.
The song was released as a criticism of American ways after 9/11. Green Day states that they don’t want to be an “American Idiot” that is controlled by only one form of media — which in turn is controlled by the government.
12. “Know Your Enemy” by Rage Against the Machine
We have another Rage Against the Machine song! 1992’s “Know Your Enemy” criticizes the American government, much like many of the other Rage Against the Machine songs do off their debut album.
In this song, the band doesn’t outright call for anarchy or a revolution. However, many fans have taken the song to be anarchic in nature since its release.
“Know Your Enemy” details how you should always question those in power, especially when they lie to you. This song is anti-war and anti-authoritarian, as a result.
13. “White Riot” by The Clash
In 1977’s “White Riot”, The Clash calls for those in their community and class to riot. The song was inspired by the Notting Hill Carnival riots in 1976, where many black youths rioted as a result of racist policing.
The Clash became inspired by this rioting and called for others to join this rioting with them. As a result, the song became a huge song discussing anarchy and revolutions.
14. “Riot” by Three Days Grace
Three Days Grace released “Riot” on their 2006 album One-X. Throughout the song, the rock band sings, “Let’s start a riot”.
Elsewhere in the song, the band discusses negative parts of life and how many can feel used and broken. As a result, everyone should band together and start riots.
“Riot” became a big hit for Three Days Grace when they released it in 2006. The song ended up hitting the top charts in both the United States and the UK!
15. “I Predict a Riot” by Kaiser Chiefs
“I Predict a Riot” by Kaiser Chiefs doesn’t outright call for a riot… but it does anticipate one! This 2004 song differs from many of the other songs on this list. It doesn’t explicitly call for action or act as a song of protest.
Instead, the song details a night out in Leeds. As the song progresses, we learn just how out of things everything has become. Chaos soon follows — and the band predicts a riot, as a result!
16. “Riot” by Dead Kennedys
“Riot” by Dead Kennedys, released in 1982, discusses how riots can come about — but also how destructive they can become to those who riot themselves.
For example, the lyrics state, “But you get to the place where the real slave drivers live / It’s walled off by the riot squad aiming guns right at your head / So you turn right around and play right into their hands / And set your own neighborhood burning to the ground instead”.
Here, the band discusses how sometimes rioters play right into the police or government’s hands. Tomorrow, these rioters will find themselves homeless because of the destruction they enact. But tonight, “it’s a blast”.
17. “Where Do Ya Draw the Line” by Dead Kennedys
The classic punk band Dead Kennedys also discussed anarchy in their 1986 song “Where Do Ya Draw the Line”. However, in this song, the band begins to ask questions about where anarchy would lead them, rather than just promoting it.
The band wonders who would fix the sewers if anarchy prevailed. Who would gain control? How do they transfer wealth to the poor, as they’d like?
This Dead Kennedys song is notable for a variety of reasons. However, their honest questioning about the things the band has stood for makes the song one of their best!
18. “Droppin Like Flies” by Motley Crue
Motley Crue released “Droppin Like Flies” on their 1994 self-titled album. The song’s meanings could be taken in different ways. In the beginning, the band sings, “A war zone in the streets, it’s anarchy and siege / We hope it goes away”.
The band sees all the chaos and sees that they don’t have a future. As a result, they feel that everybody is “Droppin Like Flies”.
19. “Riot Coming” by Elliott Smith
There are many meanings one can take from Elliott Smith’s 2007 song “Riot Coming”. Throughout the song, Smith sings about different people he meets, as well as different situations he finds himself in.
However, throughout all of these moments, he sings that he feels a riot is coming!
20. “Apocrypha” by Arcade Fire
Arcade Fire released their hit song “Apocrypha” on their 2013 album Reflektor. This song isn’t completely about anarchy, but it does discuss riots and how something is amiss.
The song’s complete meaning can feel impossible to discern when you first listen to it. The song mentions the feelings of Jesus, as well as Joan of Arc.
Then, towards the end, the band sings, “Come on downtown / See what we got, we got the riot”. At the end of the song, the band further reflects on the chaos of humanity.
Listen to the full playlist on Youtube here.