Good Enough, Cyndi Lauper (1985). Recorded for The Goonies soundtrack, this song echoes the film’s underestimated critique of class warfare within the economic conditions of mid-80s America. It is not insignificant that the two-part video includes some pro-wrestling 80’s icons as stereotypical capitalist parasites given the economic circus that the WWF was in that era. The Buster Keaton-like video also includes a quite politically incorrect (by today’s standard’s) reference to the Benihana chain as economic predators of sorts, referencing the economic Japan paranoia that was prevalent in 80’s America. The song’s “What’s good enough for you?” message is especially relevant today, when economic hoarding is celebrated as “free enterprise” and most individuals are left to embrace the cruel optimism that if they just work a little harder and play by the rules, they will “have enough” or maybe, just maybe, more than enough.
[PLAYLIST]
Protest Songs: A Turnip Truck(s) List
The word “protest” comes from the Latin noun testis, “one who attests, witness.” To protest thus is to bear witness, to testify publicly, to invoke, in front of or before the public. With this in mind, the editors at The Turnip Truck(s) have compiled a list of what we consider the greatest protest songs of all time. Songs that testify or bear witness to an idea, issue, political or humanitarian problem. Songs that invoke or call upon people to listen, be aware, act. Look for a new protest song every Sunday at The Turnip Truck(s).