When the United States and Israel conducted strikes on Iran recently, songwriter and musician Joseph Terrell found himself consumed by thoughts of the conflict, leading him to pen song lyrics. Terrell, based in North Carolina, reflected on the American narrative of being heroic explorers riding into the sunset, shaping his song “Cowboy Movie” to explore the notion that the country may not always be on the side of good.
The track, according to Terrell, doesn’t target any specific politician but rather alludes to events such as the tragic bombing of a girls’ school in Iran that claimed the lives of at least 165 individuals, predominantly children. While no nation has accepted responsibility for the attack, a preliminary probe by the New York Times suggested U.S. involvement.
Terrell, known for his politically charged compositions, shared a snippet of “Cowboy Movie” on TikTok, joining a wave of online artists reviving folk protest songs for a digital audience. This resurgence of politically charged folk music, long overshadowed by other genres, has gained momentum, attributed partly to the genre’s simplicity and authenticity in a tech-dominated era.
The emergence of these new protest songs, with specific references to political figures and events, has brought a fresh dynamic to the folk music scene, as noted by music theory professor Noriko Manabe. Artists like Jesse Welles, renowned for his pointed tracks addressing current issues, have gained significant followings on platforms like TikTok, where they swiftly release songs responding to unfolding events.
Unlike traditional folk music that often veiled political commentary, this new wave directly calls out politicians and administrations, resonating quickly on social media. However, the sustainability of this online protest music movement remains a question, with experts like Holly Swartzendruber suggesting a need for real-world engagement to prolong its impact beyond the digital realm.
From engaging audiences in call-and-response songs on tours to fundraising for charitable causes, contemporary folk artists like Olive Klug and Joseph Terrell are striving to blend music with activism, aiming to spark meaningful change beyond just lyrical expressions. As they navigate the evolving landscape of protest music, these artists hope to not only entertain but also inspire action and materialize social transformation.