Teaching History Through Rock!

After one of my excursions through the World Wide Web, I discovered a particularly comical Music Video by the Russian metal band Anj that centered around former Russian President and world famous Booze hound Mikhail Gorbachev.
If that sounds too absurd to believe, Well the proof is in the Borscht:


Once again this is not a joke, this is a real Metal band from Moscow. You can check them out at www.myspace.com/anjkill

This got me thinking about other songs that revolved around famous/infamous historical figures and without any further ado, Here are some songs that not only entertain but they also edumacate:

Boney M-Rasputin

Disco + Crazed Russian Monk=Gold Record?

Judas Priest-Nostradamus

I wonder if Nostradamus foresaw this 2-Disc Concept album from a British band dressed in S&M led by a openly gay front-man...Then I would be impressed!

Falco-Rock Me Amadeus

Mozart deserves better than this clown, but at least he got a good movie out of it. What we learned from all this is that Mozart is the most marketable of all the Classical Composers. Beethoven got a movie bit it was full of dogs and no one else has even sniffed Hollywood.

Ozzy-Mr. Crowley

A Metal song dedicated to a Satan Worshipping cult leader, way to disprove a stereotypes, Ozzy.

Outkast-Rosa Parks

Surprisingly, Ms. Parks did not approve and on a totally unrelated note, Andre 3000 does not smoke weed and is a vegetarian, keepin' it Gangsta!

Jack Johnson-Jack Karouac

Jack Karouak was a beat writer from the 60's, His book "on the road" is a modern day masterpiece.

Modest Mouse-Bukowski

Another song about a beat writer from the 60s/70s. Quick recommendation: Read "Tales of Ordinary madness" and watch the movie Barfly.

Bob Dylan-Mr. Bojangles

They didn't have Music Videos in the 60's, so this is the best I can do. Bill "Bojangle" Robinson was a famous tap-dancer and actor from the early twentieth century.

Soulfly-Moses

Moses was like a prophet or something, Soulfly is a sweet band from Brazil that mixes way too many genres to actually comprehend but they are still awesome!

Interpol-Lief Erikson

He was Viking explorer who was the first European to land on American soil. I guess the real Interpol is still after him for beating Columbus to the punch.

The Specials-Nelson Mandela

The song might have sucked but at least it accomplished its goal. The Apartheid is no more, South Africa now simply has the highest crime rate in the world. Big Whoop.

Rush-Tom Sawyer

Yea, I know he is a fictional character but Mark Twain probably based the character on himself. Plus, Rush has the greatest drummer of all time in their corner and the nerdiest front-man of all time. That is a formidable combination and their Canadian to boot!

Slick Rick-Mona Lisa

Once again not a "real" person but someone had to pose for the painting. plus, Slick Rick "The Ruler" needs some love, ever since he got deported, things have not been the same.

The Who-Baba O'Riley

No the song is not called "Teenage Wasteland" that would make sense. And we all know, there was no room for sense when your guru is a guy named Baba.

Immortal Technique-Bin Laden

What makes Immortal Technique so controversial? The Truth, maybe?

And last but soytenly not least...

Sublime-Hong Kong Phooey

This crime fighting dog changed the course of history in ways that only people who lived in the '70's could understand. Unfortunately, I do not belong to this elite group.

~G9D Contributing Satirist and Womanizer