
“Fight the Power” by Public Enemy: It’s all in the title. “The Promised Land” by Bruce Springsteen: The Boss says it all when he says “I feel so weak, I just want to explode.”ġ3. In this case, floating balloons are mistaken for enemy weapons.ġ2. “99 Luftballons” by Nena: Did you know this song is actually a short piece of dystopian fiction? Much like the Delirium trilogy, it’s a story about what can happen when a government decides that something joyful and human is a dangerous threat. “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncé: Queen B!! Again, nuff said.ġ1. “Not Ready to Make Nice” by Dixie Chicks: I’m not going to lie-I love the Dixie Chicks! I especially like that they are unapologetic in their opinions and are always willing to take a stand.ġ0. “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley and the Wailers: “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery/None but ourselves can free our minds.” Nuff said!ĩ. “Search and Destroy” by Iggy and the Stooges: I don’t really know what this song is about, but it is angry and it is beautiful.Ĩ. keep your eyes open because real rebellion has to happen organically.ħ. “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” by Gil Scott-Heron: In short. This song takes that feeling and puts it into a very literal context!Ħ.

I think most teenagers feel like they’re being punished for being themselves at some point or another. “Doin’ Time for Bein’ Young” by James Intveld: From the Cry-Baby soundtrack (a great movie about teen rebellion). The nature of the conflict is intentionally vague (which makes it timeless).ĥ. “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield: More than anything, this song is a call to reflection, attention, and thought. “Rebel Girl” by Bikini Kill: The best thing about this song is that the rebel girl isn’t the outcast or the weirdo, she’s the “queen of the neighborhood”! Isn’t that how it should be?Ĥ.

“Rise Above” by Black Flag: Weirdly, this punk song is surprisingly positive! A positive punk song! “We are born with a chance/Rise above/We’re gonna rise above.”ģ. When John Fogerty wails out “It ain’t me,” you can feel the pain of a generation of people forced into fighting a war they didn’t believe in.Ģ. “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Reviva: This song, in particular its chorus, transforms anger over the Vietnam War into a defiant battle cry. Here’s a playlist to get you pumped for your own particular resistance!ġ. It got me thinking about some of my all-time favorite bring-the-fight songs.


The conclusion to the Delirium trilogy, Requiem, focuses a lot on Lena’s role in the resistance.
