In an election year where nerves are high and uncertainties run rampant, it’s no surprise musicians and artists are speaking their mind on the matter.
Enter Denver-based country Americana group Gasoline Lollipops who recently unleashed their latest single, “Freedom Don’t Come Easy,” which pulls no punches bashing politicians, racists, the media, and much more, ultimately serving as yet another plea for equality.
In the past, the band has been very vocal about their diverse influences, and their promotion of equal rights and anti-violence, as shown in their various Spotify playlists like “Black Lives are Essential.” And on May 17th, they incorporate these views and influences into a song of their own, stating their cause explicitly by saying “We’ll fight the fight for human rights / And we’ll win without a gun.”
The members of the band took to their Instagram to share their takes on why they felt the need to make a song like this and what it means for them.
When addressing the lines in the song that oppose Christian nationalism, keyboardist Scott Coulter stated, “Even Jesus had his moments where he had to flip some tables, and I think we’re at that moment in this country.” And drummer Kevin Matthews summed up the band’s intent, saying “The song clearly condemns hate and fascism, and yet, at the same time, invites everybody in. [It] reminds us that we all want the same things, at the end of the day.”
The song also references several activists and musicians with similar causes, such as the line in the first verse, “So here’s to Woody Guthrie singing ‘this land was made for you and me’” as well as commenting on more recent events, like the murder of George Floyd, with the line “If you lean on my brother’s neck / Brother, you lean on me.”
Clay Rose’s vocals and the heavy lyrics drawing on past and future events create a raucous countrified track that Americans can relate to, and many can be inspired by, especially during present times of political upheaval and unrest.
