Looks like I’m not the only one surprised by 99 Luftballoons. So many of these songs still seem very powerful today. Others that came to mind include Bring the boys home by Freda Payne (Vietnam), The Revolution will not be televised by Gil Scott Heron and strangely, one of my favourites from childhood, Celia of the Seals by Donovan which I’ve only just discovered is a protest song against seal hunting.

Great write up and a timely reminder.