The energy challenges we face today trace back through history and spark creative responses across generations and genres. From rock to folk to electronic soundscapes, artists have used music to critique, reflect on, and imagine solutions to our reliance on fossil fuels. This collection surveys ten songs that address oil, gas, and the broader energy economy from a wide array of perspectives, whether traditional, conscious, or provocative.
‘Get the petrol blues’, NRBQ (1974)
Emerging after the 1973 OPEC oil shocks, this pointed rock moment captures global awareness of energy dependence and the tension it creates for ordinary people. The song rails at the automotive giants and the industry’s power, while a casual honesty about fuel shortages mirrors lived experience for listeners in North America. The reference list of major oil companies anchors the moment in industry reality, illustrating how supply gaps translate into everyday frustration and desire for relief. (Cited from archival music criticism and period interviews.)
‘One gallon of gas’, The Kinks (1979)
During the 1970s energy crunch, the narrator confesses he can’t fill the tank because he has spent so much on a dream car. Ray Davies crafts a sharp parody of luxury and excess, highlighting the ease of access to consumption contrasted with hardship at the pump. The imagery of desolate highways and unusually clean air punctuates a shift in daily life, where personal mobility is tightly linked to broader economic realities. (Cited from music historians and contemporary reviews.)
‘Closed circuits’, Laurie Anderson (1984)
In a minimalist electronic piece, the Illinois-born artist explores oil with stark, poetic language while warning of a darker underpinning. Long streams of dark electric light symbolize a closed system fueled by subterranean sources. The performance sits within United States Live, a landmark sequence where Anderson interrogates the American spirit through technology and energy. (Cited from live performance archives and critical essays.)
‘Tropic of Cancer’, Café Tacvba (1994)
In a subtle, bossa nova-tinged mood, this Mexican rock ensemble contemplates a system that sidelines ecologists, indigenous communities, and humanists. The lyrics, spoken in the Mexico City subway setting for the video, reflect a stance against overreliance on hydrocarbons and stress a collective move toward sustainable choices. (Cited from regional music journals and retrospective analyses.)
‘The price of oil’, Billy Bragg (2002)
Britain’s folk-punk troubadour charges into the pre-Iraq War climate, accusing political and economic forces of driving conflict for oil interests. The track aligns with Bragg’s protest repertoire, later compiled in Fighting Songs, and underscores how energy politics intersect with international affairs. (Cited from Bragg’s discography notes and scholarly reviews.)
‘The price of gasoline’, Blok Party (2005)
This British post-punk track critiques rising fuel costs and the illusion of a harmless citizen lifestyle. It contrasts quiet suburbia with the grim costs of global energy politics, culminating in a defiant, almost triumphant end that hints at resistance to systemic pressures. (Cited from music press coverage and fan archives.)
‘Gas’, Sheryl Crow (2008)
Sheryl Crow’s forward-looking protest song imagines a world where energy prices spark widespread reform. The chorus wields irony about a future where gas becomes freely available, while green transition ideas surface through references to climate shifts and alternative fuels. The track features Ben Harper joining the vocal ensemble, adding weight to the advocacy. (Cited from contemporary reviews and environmental commentary.)
‘Who will stand up?’, Neil Young (2014)
Neil Young, a veteran voice in environmental discourse, calls for an end to fossil fuels and a line drawn against new pipelines. The acoustic narrative challenges listeners with direct questions about taking responsibility and preserving the Earth for future generations. This piece sits alongside earlier ecological works in Young’s catalog. (Cited from artist interviews and music scholarship.)
‘Gas’, Anvil (2020)
In a metal frame that often valorizes energy as power, this Canadian band pivots toward cautionary themes. The lyrics critique the idea of money as ultimate currency and highlight the global importance of renewable options. The track invites listeners to consider sustainable paths and the political economy shaping energy markets. (Cited from metal scene commentary and cultural reviews.)
‘Solar energy’, Lorde (2021)
The New Zealand artist reflects on energy without flinching, drawn from a journey that inclines toward solar power as both a practical resource and a mindset shift. The song celebrates the potential of renewable energy while echoing broader calls for living with less waste. The line about letting go of devices to begin a freer chapter underscores a broader ethos of mindful consumption. (Cited from contemporary music journalism and artist interviews.)