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Solidarity Idol

The Solidarity Idol song quest is now under way. We're looking for a new anthem for working people. The big prize? Well, that would be fame and glory. Not to mention immortality. (Hey, if it was the money you were after you wouldn't have won anyway). But we're also approaching sponsors for a cash prize. So far we have five entries. You can download them all (freely and legally) from the box below. The Day of Judgement comes next June, so you have time to join in. At the risk of confusing you, there's ALSO an ongoing poll for best solidarity song of the last 50 years here.
  

2] Can I send a song by someone else?
Same as above. If we have the owner's permission it's fine.

3] We can't think of lyrics. Any ideas?
Why not see if there are any poets in the network who'd be willing to help? We'd be glad to put word out for you.

4] How do I/we enter a song?
There's a file upload form on the homepage, or you can email it (.mp3 format preferred) to solidarityidol@newunionism.net. Other contact details are here.

5] What's the preferred style?
Honest. New. Anthem. Other than those 3 keywords it can be any style, any language, anything you like. Knock yourself out.

6] Who decides the winner?
Members of the network will vote in June.

	Vote here
		There is power in a union (Billy Bragg)
		Get up, stand up! (Bob Marley & the Wailers)
		Between the wars (Billy Bragg)
		Fight the power (Public Enemy)
		The revolution will not be televised (Gil Scott-Heron)
		None of us are free (Solomon Burke and the Blind Boys of Alabama)
		A change is gonna come (Sam Cooke)
		El Pueblo Unido (Sergio Ortega)
		Hands (Phil Ochs)
		Part of the Union (The Strawbs)
		Working class hero (John Lennon)
		Solidarity (Black Uhuru)
		Stand (Sly and the Family Stone)
		Venceremos (Working Week with Claudia Figueroa, Robert Wyatt & Tracy Thorn)
		10 most wanted list (Eugene Chadbourne)
		Mean things (Little Axe)
		See the fire burning (Tackhead)
		Masters of war (Bob Dylan)
		Man in black (Johnny Cash)
		And justice for all (Metallica)
		Build High the Bridge (Ronnie Gilbert)
		Mosh (Eminem)
		Union (Black Eyed Peas and Sting)
		Le Chiffon Rouge (Vidalin and Fugain)
		General Strike (DOA)
		The Workers Song (Dropkick Murphys)
		Badlands (Bruce Springsteen)
		Huelga en General (El Teatro Campesino)
		Working Class Man (Cold Chisel)
		Parade (Pretty Girls Make Graves)

Best workers' song of the last 50 years???
Take a look at the songs listed to the right. Before you say anything: NO! - we will not provide any definitions. These nominees (& there's some odd ones) are mostly protest songs. One of them is actually a piss-take of trade unionism. And can you imagine a bunch of workplace reps gathering round the flip charts to sing "Mosh"? That aside, you can vote now by selecting your choice and clicking on Vote. If you'd like to nominate another song altogether, just send details here. By the way, the artist's name we have given is that of the actual writer, however in giving this we intend to include all cover versions. Wherever possible we've also linked to the lyrics (which is how come T. Rex's "Children of the Revolution" didn't make it - check the words!).

 

Update
We've just rearranged the table in accordance with the votes we've received so far. Keep 'em coming.