The 2010s didn’t just change how we listened to music—they changed why we listened. Spotify became the world’s therapist, gym coach, breakup sponsor, and party planner all in one. Every stream told a story, and judging by the numbers, most of us were either crying, healing, or dancing through an identity crisis.

By the summer of 1967, Jimi Hendrix wasn’t just another guitarist—he was a fuse, burning down to a single, explosive moment. His destiny was waiting on a California stage, drenched in sweat, smoke, and distortion. But that night, when Hendrix struck the match and watched his beloved Stratocaster burn, it wasn’t just spectacle. It was rebellion. It was frustration. It was a man saying, “You’ll remember me—even if I have to burn my music alive”.

Every era has its anthem—those songs that don’t just reflect change, but ignite it. From haunting jazz ballads that condemned inequality to hip-hop anthems that shouted back at systemic prejudice, these tracks didn’t just soundtrack their times—they helped shape them. Here are 20 songs that completely defined political movements, proving that sometimes three chords and a mic can do more than a thousand speeches ever could.