Oliver Anthony’s divisive song claiming solidarity with workers only benefits the rich who exploit them
Billy Bragg
The YouTube singer’s US No 1 hit Rich Men North of Richmond rails against billionaires but punches down on the poor. So I decided to write a song in reply
September 2021
Jailhouse rock: how history’s crimes live on in music
From Maggie May to Ronnie Kray, crooks have long inspired songs, as a new book proves
June 2020
Daugherty: This Land Sings review – exuberant polyglot Woody Guthrie celebration
Michael Daugherty’s tribute chronicles Guthrie’s life in 17 fluent pieces for soprano, baritone and ensemble, with tints of US music from folk to jazz
July 2019
The hypocrisy of Trump’s racism
Letters: Adam Slee, Duncan Grimmond, Norman Miller and Dr Bruce Lloyd dissect the US president’s recent racist abuse towards four US congresswomen
February 2019
Gary Clark Jr: 'I want to let it be known: this land is your land, but it's mine too'
The Grammy-winning singer, whose third full-length record finds him subverting genre and expectation, talks Trump, keeping the blues alive and the fire in his belly
April 2018
Living the dream (so we don’t have to): the boy who ran off to Bali
Sam Leith
Wave of teachers' wildcat strikes spreads to Oklahoma and Kentucky
June 2016
Old Man Trump: Tom Morello gives new life to Woody Guthrie's protest song
Three artists are finishing and producing Guthrie’s song criticizing Donald Trump’s father and reflecting on race – a very current topic in his campaign
February 2016
Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy: 'Trump's success is a sign of how broken things have been'
Woody Guthrie: fighting Donald Trump from beyond the grave
January 2016
Bernie Sanders' 1987 album We Shall Overcome is so bad, it's good
Woody Guthrie, 'Old Man Trump' and a real estate empire's racist foundations
October 2015
Various Artists: Joy of Living: A Tribute to Ewan MacColl review – an engrossing portrait
This centenary collection of Ewan MacColl covers serves brilliantly to show off his songwriting skills
August 2015
Paper Towns review – charming, engaging teen movie
John Green’s novel blossoms in a well-acted teen movie that rises above the usual nerdish caricatures
December 2014
Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie and others: Songs of the Spanish Civil War review – intriguing vintage folk laments
This intriguing compilation focuses on music made by and for US soldiers who joined the fight against fascism in Spain, writes Robin Denselow
November 2014
Woody Guthrie and the Dust Bowl Ballads review – a passionate picture of the folk singer and his times
Readers recommend
Readers recommend: songs that sample, recycle and reinvent
June 2014
Route 66: America's most famous road – in pictures
A new exhibition at LA's The Autry traces the history of the 2400-mile-long highway that connects Chicago to Los Angeles, with artefacts from its most well-known travellers, including Woody Guthrie and Jack Kerouac
April 2014
The Grapes of Wrath is 75 years old and more relevant than ever
Alan Yuhas
Alan Yuhas: Steinbeck didn't want us to lose hope – he wanted us to get angry at those who would strip hope from us
February 2014
Farewell, Pete Seeger
Ed Vulliamy and Rufus Wainwright salute the American folk singer Pete Seeger, one of the last heroes of a generation that still believed in change
