How to Stand Out in Your Writing Through Antiflag's Protest Song

What makes for a good song writer you ask? What is it that distinguishes a good lyric from a bad one? Although this is a very opinionated subject that has no set in stone rules, there are be some principles that you can follow to help you stand out against the crowd through your writing. Some of these principles include being concise, being conversational, using powerful sentences, and starting and ending strong. These principles are portrayed through a lyric by Antiflag called the "Protest Song."

Lyrics:
And so the time has finally come
the bourgeoisie has signed the war decree
with proletariat blood
and that blood which flows from their pen
is the closest that they've ever been to the people
you've been to our shows
you've sung our song
snow we're asking you to
add to each chorus you've sung and

protest...! against...! injustice...! state terror...!
on the streets of the world
for the disempowered
you've sung at our shows
cheered right over wrong
now it's time to hit the streets
back up those words you've sung

because our voices alone this time will not get it done

looking to stop a rogue regime?
well the first ones that we must confront is WASHINGTON, DC!
the bush "terror war", UNCONSTITUTIONAL, UNCONSCIONABLE
we refuse to let him kill, in our name for oil
we know their game
know they're corruptit's up to us to hit the streets,
time to take our rights back!

protest...! against...! injustice...! state terror...!
on the streets of the world
for the disempowered
you've sung at our shows
cheered right over wrong
now it's time to hit the streets
back up those words you've sung
because our voices alone this time will not get it done

because the people, united will get it done
protest...! against...! injustice...! state terror...!

on the streets of the world for the disempowered
protest...! against...! injustice...! state terror...!
on the streets of the world for the disempowered
protest...! against...! injustice...! state terror...!
on the streets of the world for the disempowered
protest...! against...! injustice...! state terror...!
on the streets of the world for the disempowered

According to its defenition a protest song is a "song which is associated with a movement for social change and hence part of the broader category of topical songs (or songs connected to current events)." In doing this the song is being conversational with its audience. Many writers write to stiffly, trying to overthink the process and impress their audience hindering their ability to write "good." It is much easier to write like you talk, it allows your audience have a stronger connection to your piece. It places your words on a more personal level and your audience appreciates them much more when your speak to them on their level, not trying to go over their heads. On another point, it’s better to break the rules of grammar in order to sound conversational than to sound "stilted" just so you can follow the proper rules. But do not break the rules of grammar without good reason, you should always know why your doing it and why. This lyric breaks the rules several times to get its persuasive point across, making the writing style and the point cohesively flow together.

Being concise and using powerful sentences is another strong principle to help you become a better writer. A shorter sentence that is strong and to the point is prefered much more than a long "overelaborated" one. Being compact is powerful! If you avoid using "fluff" in your writing, readers/listeners will appreciate it more for what it is worth. This lyric is a great example of that especially in the choros where it states "protest...! against...! injustice...! state terror...!" Simple single words can be so powerful in your writing. You do not always have to impress to be a "good" writer.

Finally starting and ending strong is also important in your writing. It is the firsting thing that the reader/listener sees/hears, and the last thing that they are left with. But keep in mind it must all cohesively flow together as a whole. You must create some sort of hook in the beginning to draw your audience in and keeps them interested. One way that you can do this is through asking yourself "so what, who cares?" Why should I dedicate my time to reading or listening to what you have to say? Your topic must be stated and you must give them a reason to why its important and why you should care. An example of this through Antiflag's lyrics is that this song is about injustice and state terror. The writer states the topic in the most import repeated part of the song (the chorus) and tries to use strong words in the other refrains to peruade us to do something about it. This refrain is an example of that:
"protest...! against...! injustice...! state terror...!
on the streets of the world
for the disempowered
you've sung at our shows
cheered right over wrong
now it's time to hit the streets
back up those words you've sung
because our voices alone this time will not get it done"

~Erika Scharwath