The legendary Joan Baez had a message for modern-day popstars: Use what you have to help other people – not just yourself.
Baez, who has long used her musical gifts to contribute to progressive protest movements in the U.S., recently appeared on actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ podcast, “Wiser Than Me.” During their talk, Louis-Dreyfus asked Baez about the current “generation of really talented artists who are quite silent about the current assault on democracy.”
The comment references the ongoing autocratic words and deeds of our elected officials, from President Donald Trump’s administration to leaders in lower levels of government. For example, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues to detain and deport people throughout the nation, while state-level government officials deploy federal agents to quell protests decrying such ICE activity and the subpar living conditions of its detention centers.
Baez replied to Louis-Drefus’ question: “It’s revealing that the one song that’s used in all of these demonstrations is ‘The Times They Are a-Changin’ [by Bob Dylan]. The level of that writing from back then hasn’t been approached. No one has approached it.”
It’s something her fellow music experts have noticed, too.
When The Story Exchange wrote about singing as a returning form of protest in the U.S. earlier this year, amid other, deadly ICE raids, author and historian Dorian Lynskey pointed out that the modern-day pop-music landscape is devoid of songs such as “We Shall Overcome” and “Give Peace a Chance,” both of which were once popular at protests. Even the lyrical content of current pop songs skews toward “I” and “me,” instead of “us” and “we,” he added.
Baez added that, while singers like Brandi Carlile are doing the work of writing music and making statements to meet the moment, most of the women topping the charts now simply aren’t speaking, or singing, about oppression at all.
“I sort of cock my head at these stadiums filled with brilliant young women songwriters. Why can’t they just take that little step?” Baez noted. “Because they’re already richer than God, you know, most of them.”
Being a famous musician can, indeed, come with immense wealth. Even for women, who are traditionally underpaid in most every other instance and industry – both Taylor Swift and Rihanna are reported billionaires. But even if they aren’t sitting atop 10-figure net worths, famous women have the ability to speak to the masses in ways others don’t, on stages and in interviews alike.
Yet, as Baez pointed out, they’re opting to remain largely apolitical – a move that undoubtedly benefits ticket sales and bottom lines, but can harm those most impacted by our leaders.
It’s a concept that applies, albeit at a smaller scale, to all of us who enjoy social privileges. I’ve written before, more than once in fact, about the need for white women to use the relative safety and comfort we enjoy due to the color of our skin to speak in defense of our marginalized sisters. And, to use what platforms we have to give women of color a chance to speak for themselves.
Some contemporary pop stars do get what Baez and others who wish to see resistance grow louder are saying. At the 2026 Grammys, famous musicians from Kehlani, Billie Eilish and Olivia Dean were plain in their condemnation of the current state of affairs.
During one of their acceptance speeches, Kehlani noted that “everybody is so powerful in this room,” addressing their fellow luminaries directly, as Baez did. “Together, we’re stronger in numbers to speak against all of the injustice going on in the world right now. Instead of letting it be just a couple few here and there, I hope everybody is inspired to join together as a community of artists and speak out against what’s going on.”
More of this, please. ◼️
