Five Rock Songs That Changed The World

by | Jan 27, 2020

Rock is meant to shake things up. Underneath the rebellious attitude, the look, and the notoriety of rock stars are souls and hearts screaming for change in the world. Occasionally, this manifests as historic moments in rock, birthing hits that forever shift the course of history one way or another. So here are five of the rock songs that have transcended the charts and made their way into the history books.

 (Rock Shot)

Sunday Bloody Sunday – U2

Whilst younger generations might primarily know U2 as one of the world’s greatest live stadium performers, older people know that no list of world-changing rock songs would be complete without at least one from the band. And out of all the overtly political anthems that they’ve released over the years, one song stands out. A feature by Lottoland explains how Sunday Bloody Sunday shone a global light on the then-ongoing violence in Northern Ireland. Produced 11 years after the “Bloody Sunday” incident on which the song was based, every lyric and note is meant to give the listener a glimpse of war-torn Ireland in the ’70s, which sparked conversations about the country’s issues around the world.

 (Rock Shot)

Looking For Freedom – David Hasselhoff

While the song is more pop than rock, there’s nothing quite as rock n’ roll as how Looking For Freedom inspired West Germans in 1989 to tear down the Berlin Wall. Although Hasselhoff‘s song was actually about a son in the shadow of his rich dad, it had the perfect upbeat attitude and lyrics to be taken out of context and adopted into the struggle of West and East Germans against the wall. Hasselhoff has since embraced his role in the fall of the wall and now works to preserve what remains of it as a historical reminder of the era.

 (Rock Shot)

Thunderstruck – AC/DC

You might want to sit down for this one. In 2016, scientists found out that playing Thunderstruck while preparing a cancer drug called camphothecin made its particles spring up and down, which allowed medical researchers to coat the particles in plasma shells to extend the drug’s effect. “The overcoating resulted in a markedly slower release of the drug, and this effect correlated positively with the plasma polymer coating times, ranging from twofold up to more than 100-fold,” explains University of South Australia professor Nico Voelcker. In simple terms, AC/DC’s Thunderstruck was used to improve the effectiveness of a cancer drug.

 (Rock Shot)

Panama – Van Halen

Much like many Van Halen songs, Panama is about a car. This however didn’t stop the U.S. military from using the song to draw out former Panama dictator General Manuel Noriega when he was forced to seek political asylum at the Vatican Embassy. After 10 days of sonic, glam rock warfare, the Vatican ambassador had had enough and kicked the general out.

 (Rock Shot)

(Sing If You’re) Glad To Be Gay – Tom Robinson Band

This song was produced in an era of open homophobia and institutionalised sexism. The Tom Robinson Band wrote it in response to how the British Police consistently persecuted gays during the mid ’70s. Police regularly raided known gay bars and clubs in and around London to harass, beat, and arrest paying customers — just because they were gay (or happened to be in the bars). This laid the foundation for Glad To Be Gay to become an anti-prejudice anthem that sparked positive changes to how queer people were treated and perceived in both the UK and the U.S.

This list merely scrapes the tip of the iceberg that is world-changing rock — songs that are proof of how positive music can tilt political balances, communicate with global audiences, and even advance medical science. There are thousands more that deserve a listen, and even more causes to make great rock songs about.

Feature by Keith Skilling

Liang Lawrence (Ana Chen)

Liang Lawrence Unveils Reflective New Single ‘A Day Off In Margaritaville’ Ahead Of Autumn UK Tour

Rising alt-pop storyteller Liang Lawrence has shared her shimmering new single A Day Off In Margaritaville, a vibrant, emotionally layered track that marks the first offering from her upcoming EP It’s A Funny Thing, due later this year via The Other Songs.

Mae Stephens (Hannah Burton)

Mae Stephens Returns With Infectious New Single ‘Tiny Voice’

Breakout pop star Mae Stephens is back with a bang as she drops her irresistibly offbeat new single, Tiny Voice — a track as addictive as it is relatable. Following the runaway global success of her hit If We Ever Broke Up, which racked up over 500 million streams, landed her a Top 15 UK single, and earned Gold certifications in both the UK and US, Stephens continues to show why she’s one of the most exciting new voices in pop.

Maya Lane (Press)

Maya Lane Announces New Single ‘I Don’t Know You Yet’ And Debut London Headline Show Ahead Of New EP

Rising UK pop-country star Maya Lane continues her impressive 2025 trajectory with the release of a stunning new single, I Don’t Know You Yet, out now. The introspective, stripped-back track offers a poignant taste of her forthcoming EP, The Hurt And The Healing, due out on 4th September, and precedes her debut headline show at London’s The Grace on 3rd September.

Perera Elsewhere (Hugo Holger Schneider x Gene Glover)

Perera Elsewhere Returns With Electrifying Double Single Ft. Andy S & Announces New Album

Berlin-based, UK-raised experimental artist Perera Elsewhere (aka Sasha Perera) is back with a high-voltage double single, F*ck Le System / Time Will Tell, out now on Friends Of Friends – both featuring viral Ivorian rapper Andy S. The release serves as a bold statement on feminine strength, social rebellion, and sonic experimentation.

Don McLean @ The Long Road Festival (Press)

The Long Road Festival 2025 Assembles Its Biggest Line-Up Yet For August Bank Holiday Weekend

Now entering its sixth and most ambitious year to date, The Long Road Festival 2025 is set to deliver its boldest celebration of country, Americana, and roots music yet, taking over the scenic Stanford Hall in Leicestershire from 22nd–24th August. With more than 80 artists across six stages, the weekend promises an immersive blend of genre-spanning music, authentic Americana culture, and inclusive community spirit — and has already become the festival’s fastest-selling edition to date.

Stevie Wonder @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Bethan Miller-Carey)

A Night In Wonderland: Stevie Wonder And Guests Delight At BST Hyde Park 2025

“Awwwwight!” drawls Stevie Wonder, arms flung wide, grinning like a teenager trying on cockney charm for the first...
Neil Young @ BST Hyde Park (Trudi Knight)

Dance, Shadow And Harvest Under The Full Moon: Van Morrison, Yusuf Islam And Neil Young And The Chrome Hearts At BST Hyde Park 2025

Gone are the sparkled cowgirls and pop princesses of previous BST gigs. It’s the turn of the Baby Boomer generation to make up the core crowd of Hyde Park – a sea of grey hair, straw hats, and sensible shoes. They reapply sun cream religiously, have brought picnic blankets, and can be forgiven for taking their time getting up and down from the ground between acts. This is the generation that invented outdoor rock and folk festivals – and they’re here to show the rest of us how it’s done.

Poptones (Rune Gro-Nielsen)

Poptones Play Their Wild Card With New Single ‘Say Something Now’ Ahead of Forthcoming Album ‘Pure’

Danish experimental rock trio Poptones have unveiled their new single Say Something Now, offering a taste of the unpredictability and emotional depth that defines their upcoming sophomore album Pure, out 26th September via Happy Metal Records. Where lead single Skin Of Sea teased a shift toward expansive and instinctive composition, Say Something Now dives headlong into that experimental impulse—guided, intriguingly, by the rules of UNO. Yes, the beloved card game.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing