(By Aral Bereux)
Some of the greatest hits of all time have been created with dystopian themes. Music, books and films — they strike a proverbial chord with audiences.
From Prince to Good Charlotte, Imagine Dragons and Bright Eyes, here are but a few music hits to consider.
- Eve of Destruction, Barry McGuire.
The lyrics are bare, the music is raw. This is one of the biggest dystopian tunes to hit 20th century airtime.
McGuire’s protest song invaded our homes in the mid-sixties to warn us away from our eve of destruction. Despite multiple recordings reproducing the war warning, and McGuire’s reluctance to perform the song after he became a born-again Christian, the original chart topper still leaves a salty taste in the mouth.
So tell me, are we on the eve of destruction?
2. Radioactive, Imagine Dragons.
Radioactive’s meaning has been debated since its public release.
Both lyrics and clip present a short film of elites pulling their puppet’s strings.
Staring Lou Diamond Phillips, this clip is one of the more intriguing early 21st century music videos to be released. With 999 million hits on Vevo, the song suggests a place for revolution in our society, reminding us as McGuire did in the 60’s to correct the injustices and pay attention to the inequities of what we call a ‘free‘ Western civilisation.
- Silent Lucity, Queensrÿche
Queensrÿche has bucked the music industry for years. With one of their more popular Empire album hits, Silent Lucidity took on a life of its own as the band dared to touch on socially conscious issues with their lyrics.
- Forever Young, Youth Group
A few versions of Forever Young have been released over the years, but Youth Group’s haunting production brings the story alive.
Lyrics like “Hoping for the best but expecting the worst. Are you gonna drop the bomb or not,” places humanity’s survival on our leaders’ shoulders, and reflects on the era of its conception and original release: The not-so-Cold War.
- Old Soul Song (For The New World Order), Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes’ incredibly potent song reminds us of our eroding freedoms and truth. From the “old song on the clock radio” to “the barricades” keeping us off the street, the all too poignant lyrics highlight today’s censored world.
Bright Eyes’ NWO song has a dystopian warning that we’d all do well to remember: the slower society erodes the less we are bothered until it’s too late.
- Room of Angel, Akira Yamaoka
The Silent Hill 4 soundtrack’s haunting voice with dark undertones and echoing piano leave you wanting for more despite your heart weighing heavily for the things missing in your life.
7. Another Brick In The Wall, Pink Floyd
For any fan of music, this choice comes as no surprise. Are we not just “another brick in the wall?”
- The River, Good Charlotte
Be it a religious song or one reflecting on the disintegrating morals of society, the listener can’t help but hear the typical angst coming from the singer.
The River reflects on society’s promise of beauty and riches delivering on the bare minimum. Will our children return to us unscathed, is the question.
Madden’s follow-up song years later, a self-confessed sequel to The River, is equally dark with its confronting biblical tones. City of Sin’s “There’s fires always burning, there’s war out on the street, in the house off evil she told me I could sleep…” reflects on the changing ethos in society today.
Judge for yourself.
- Welcome to the Jungle, Guns N’ Roses
Is it about drugs or is it about war? With the repetitive theme of money, greed and suffering, does it really even matter?
Either way, the Gunner’s hit nailed the dystopian darkness that lurks beneath every overcrowded city.
- 1999, Prince
I know. Like me you’ve probably been bopping around to this song in your underwear, singing into a hairbrush since the song’s conception . . . ugh, bad image. But have you ever given some thought to Prince’s party lyrics?
They’re quite the dire warning.
“Party like it’s 1999” folks, because according to this song, we’re all outta time . . .
C-BASE 
These are but a few of many other such songs
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These are a handful of my favs. It seems to me the very nature of dystopia in music is becoming more prevalent. A sign of the times perhaps, as our nature forces us to reflect?
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