1. Tax Man by the Beatles
(Video features cover version due to YouTube copyright policing)
There’s nothing that libertarians hate more than taxes. The Beatles share this hatred in their 1966 song, which was in response to the high level of taxes enacted by then-Prime Minister of the UK Harold Wilson.
Best libertarian lyric: “If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street. If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat. If you get too cold I’ll tax the heat. If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet.”
2. Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell
In today’s police state, we as libertarians always feel wary that the government is out to get us. This 1984 hit, which features Michael Jackson in the chorus, decries such rightful paranoia, even in the pre-NSA era.
Best libertarian lyric: “All I want is to be left alone in my average home. But why do I always feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone, and I always feel like somebody’s watching me, and I have no privacy.”
3. Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2 by Pink Floyd
Is Pink Floyd critiquing government-run schooling? This second part of the three-part song was released in November 1979, (coincidentally? uncoincidentally?) a month after the creation of the US Department of Education. In many ways, the song is prognosticating what would become the future of American schooling, where children are taught to be obedient rather than creative.
Best libertarian lyric: “We don’t need no education. We don’t need no thought control. No dark sarcasm in the classroom. Teacher, leave them kids alone.”
4. Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival
The Vietnam Era produced an excellent catalog of rebellious songs, none better than this 1969 classic. It decries nepotism in government, as well as blind nationalism. It even makes an allusion to the loathed taxman.
Best libertarian lyric: “It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no senator’s son, son. It ain’t me, it ain’t me; I ain’t no fortunate one, no. Yeah! Some folks are born silver spoon in hand. Lord, don’t they help themselves, oh. But when the taxman comes to the door. Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yes.”
5. We’re Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister
This song exemplifies the rebellion against the “moral majority” in the 1980s. Despite its more specific historical context, it makes for an excellent, more broad questioning of authority.
Best libertarian lyric: “We’ve got the right to choose and there ain’t no way we’ll lose it. This is our life, this is our song. We’ll fight the powers that be, just don’t pick our destiny ’cause you don’t know us, you don’t belong.”
6. Get Up, Stand Up by Bob Marley
No artist represents opposition to coercion as well as Bob Marley. This song is a terrific anthem for standing against tyranny, even when such efforts may seem hopeless.
Best libertarian lyric: “Get up, stand up: stand up for your right! Get up, stand up: stand up for your right! Get up, stand up: stand up for your right! Get up, stand up: don’t give up the fight!”
7. My Life by Billy Joel
Libertarianism is the belief of owning one’s own self and acting accordingly, without interference from any other individual or government. This Billy Joel song articulates that feeling into perfect lyrics.
Best libertarian lyric: “I don’t need you to worry for me cause I’m alright. I don’t want you to tell me it’s time to come home. I don’t care what you say anymore, this is my life. Go ahead with your own life and leave me alone.”
8. I Won’t Back Down by Tom Petty
This is the musical version of Patrick Henry’s quote, “Give me liberty or give me death!” As libertarians, we often receive resistance to our ideas, both from other citizens, and particularly from the government. However, we must always remain true to our principles and “not back down.”
Best libertarian lyric: “Well, I know what’s right, I got just one life. In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around, but I’ll stand my ground and I won’t back down.”
9. Freewill by Rush
Rand Paul has often stated that Rush is his favorite band, and this song may be one of the reasons why. Rush’s song could be interpreted to be critiquing elections, examining how some may wish to remain outside the public policy sphere, but that they will still have to deal with the consequences of the decisions of political actors either way. Furthermore, some may make their voting decisions based on emotions like “fear” (conservatives) and “compassion” (liberals), but it is always best to choose freedom and liberty first.
Best libertarian lyric: “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice. You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill. I will choose a path that’s clear, I will choose freewill.”
10. Won’t Get Fooled Again by The Who
This song describes a coming revolution and the fighting for ideals and principles. The Who states their desire to point out the wrongdoers who got the citizenry into such a situation, with hopes that lessons will be learned and that another revolution will not be needed.
Best libertarian lyric: “I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution. Take a bow for the new revolution. Smile and grin at the change all around. Pick up my guitar and play just like yesterday. Then I’ll get on my knees and pray we don’t get fooled again.”