An arrangement of the utopic workers' tune that avoids anthemism by starting with a bass-driven hip-hop beat and breaking into a swing blues for the choruses. Quotations from Aaron Copeland ("Fanfare for the Common Man"), Bob Marley ("Get Up Stand Up"), Missy Eliott ("Work it") and Cypress Hill ("Real Estate," ironically enough) enliven matters.
trade union groups that focused on the working class and class struggle. Following an international Socialist congress in Copenhagen in 1910, the song was officially adopted by those present as the Socialist anthem.
students in Tiananmen Square in 1989.
which they decided the lyrics were out of touch with modern activist movements. Billy Bragg recently performed his version a capella at Pete Seeger's 90th birthday concert, in celebration of the folk singer and in solidarity with workers around the world, which I think speaks to the lasting power and importance of this song.