Wednesday, 4 February 2026

Universal Brother/Sisterhood playlist 1 - Rock

This notion of universal brother and sisterhood is an idea that has a rich history and has inspired  many great thinkers from different walks of life, musicians, poets, philosophers, athletes, politicians, novelists, playwrights, actors, social activists and spiritual leaders. It's a notion that may sometimes wane in popularity, but never really grows old, and thus it can be helpful to look at a sample of eloquent reflections on the subject by some distinguished figures of history, which can be even more relevant, timely, and even necessary, in more turbulent times. In the modern bump and grind world of rock music, which speaks to average working class people, this notion continues to inspire creative and dramatic expression.
 
1- The Kinks, Strangers (Lola etc...,1970) 
Strangers on this road we are on We are not two we are one
 
2- Rush, Closer to the heart (A Farewell to Kings, 1977) 
Philosophers and ploughmen Each must know his part To sow a new mentality 
 
3- Styx, The Grand Illusion, (1978)
So if you think your life is complete confusion Because your neighbors got it made Just remember that it's a grand illusion And deep inside we're all the same
 
4- Gino Vannelli, Brother to brother (1978)
Oh mothers and fathers Where will tomorrow's children be? Oh brother, my brother Let us live our lives in peace 
 
5- Crazy Train (Bob Daisley, 1980)
Crazy, but that's how it goes Millions of people living as foes Maybe it's not too late To learn how to love And forget how to hate 
 
6- Queen & David Bowie - Under Pressure (1981) 
& love dares you to care for The people on the edge of the night & love dares you to change our way of Caring about ourselves This is our last dance This is ourselves 
 
7- Slade - My Oh My (The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome, 1983)
So let's all pull together, my oh my Yeah, let's all pull together, my oh my We can ride the stormy weather If we all get out and try 
 
8- Dire Straits, Brothers in arms (1985)
But it's written in the starlight And every line in your palm We're fools to make war On our brothers in arms 
 
9- Midnight Oil, The Dead Heart (1987)
We carry in our hearts the true country And that cannot be stolen We follow in the steps of our ancestry And that cannot be broken 
 
10- Scorpions, Wind of change (Crazy World, 1990)
The world is closing in And did you ever think That we could be so close, like brothers? The future's in the air I can feel it everywhere Blowing with the wind of change 
 
11- U2, One (1991)
One love, one blood One life, you got to do what you should One life,with each other Sisters, brothers One life but we're not the same We get to carry each other 
 
12- R.E..M.,  Everybody hurts (Automatic for the People, 1992)
 When you're sure you've had enough Of this life, well hang on Don't let yourself go 'Cause everybody cries Everybody hurts sometimes 
 
13- Sam Roberts Band - We're All In This Together (Lo-Fantasy, 2014)
we're the thief, we're the judge, we're the jury. We're all in this together, so keep moving don't stop