12 Great Anti-Authority Songs

This week, we saw iconic rapper Lil Wayne stick it to all the lawyers of the world in leaked footage from his very strange deposition hearing for his lawsuit against Quincy Jones III. He may have threatened an attorney, he may have been unable to recall anything, but at least he’s not taking shit from anybody? Maybe. In honor of Lil Wayne’s perhaps misguided attempts to thrash against authority figures, we’ve compiled a list of twelve tracks that are a bit more pointed in their pursuit of saying “We’re not gonna take it, etc.” Whether directed towards prodding attorneys, jerks around your neighborhood, cops, the government, death, or the entire world, these songs proclaim, “Annoying assholes, you can’t be saved,” which is not a threat, they swear.

The Walkmen – “They’re Winning”

The Smiths – “Shoplifters of the World Unite”

Kanye West – “To The World” (ft. R. Kelly)

Bad Brains – “Banned in DC”

The Arcade Fire – “(Antichrist Television Blues)”

Talking Heads – “Don’t Worry About the Government”

Dirty Projectors – “Police Story”

2Pac – “Trapped”

TV on the Radio – “DLZ”

The Clash – “London’s Burning”

Radiohead – “Wolf at the Door. (It Girl. Rag Doll.)”

Japandroids – “The House That Heaven Built”