Solidarity Day September 19, 1981: A Folk Anthem for the People
If you’re looking for an album that feels like a warm hug from history but also punches you in the gut with truth, then Solidarity Day September 19, 1981 is your jam. Released in 1982 on Worker Records, this collection of tracks isn’t just music—it’s a time capsule stuffed with grit, heart, and raw humanity. The genre? Folk, World, & Country. But let’s be real, it leans heavy into political folk, the kind of stuff that makes you wanna grab a picket sign or cry over how little has changed since 1981.
This wasn’t some slick studio project aimed at climbing charts (though it should have). It was produced by Tommy Moran, with Joe Uehlein as executive producer, and brought to life by voices like Thomas Donahue. And oh man, does it show. Every track carries the weight of people who weren’t there to entertain—they were there to remind us we’re all connected.
Two tracks stuck out to me like sore thumbs. First up, “Which Side Are You On?” Holy smokes, this one hits hard. Written originally during labor struggles in the ‘30s, its lyrics still sting today. Florence Reece introduces it here with Pete Seeger chiming in—like getting advice straight from your grandparents about standing up for what’s right. When they sing, “Don’t scab for the bosses / Don’t listen to their lies,” I couldn’t help but think about how corporations pull the same tricks now. It’s eerie and infuriating, but mostly empowering. Like, yeah, which side am I on?
Then there’s “Solidarity Forever.” Oh boy, this classic never gets old. With Lane Kirkland introducing it alongside Bayard Rustin, the song becomes more than just a rallying cry—it’s a sermon. The melody sticks to your ribs, and the message drills into your soul. “When the union’s inspiration through the workers’ blood shall run…” Damn, right? That line gave me goosebumps so bad I had to pause my headphones and sit with it for a minute. It’s not perfect—the recording quality is rough around the edges—but honestly, that just adds to its charm. This wasn’t made for Spotify playlists; it was made for marching feet and clenched fists.
What really struck me while listening was how much these songs trusted the listener to care. These artists didn’t sugarcoat anything. They talked unions, inequality, and resistance without worrying if it’d fly on mainstream radio. Hell, even speeches are sprinkled throughout, like Jessica Smith talking Frontlash goals or Ben Hooks speaking NAACP truths. It’s messy, heartfelt, and unapologetically human—a far cry from the polished nonsense flooding our ears today.
But here’s the kicker: after blasting through these tracks, I realized something weird. For all the anger and urgency packed into this album, it left me feeling hopeful. Not because everything back then was peachy (spoiler alert: it wasn’t), but because folks cared enough to shout about it. They believed change was possible—and maybe, just maybe, they were right.
So next time you’re scrolling Spotify for background noise, skip the algorithms and throw this baby on instead. Let it rattle your bones and stir something deep inside. Because solidarity ain’t just a word—it’s a call to action. And damn, do we need it now more than ever.
