We gotta get over before we go under: A midterm mixtape

By Dennis Hartley

(Originally posted on Digby’s Hullabaloo on October 18, 2026)

No Kings, the coalition known for organizing anti-Trump protests, is trying a different democratic tactic: increasing voter turnout.

On Saturday, grassroot groups across the country will hold over 3,000 “No Kings: Vote Early” marches and other events. Organizers say these events are a nonpartisan effort to promote early voting in the midterm elections, and will involve helping people check their voter registration, make a plan to cast their ballot and understand their voting rights.

The voting push effort marks a pivot for the No Kings coalition, which comprises hundreds of partner organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and Black Voters Matter.

No Kings has previously held three days of nationwide protests since the start of Trump’s second term because organizers say Trump’s actions in office are more akin to those of a monarch than a democratically elected head of state. Trump has previously rejected the idea that he is behaving like a monarch.

“The first three No Kings were designed to send a message,” says Ezra Levin, the co-founder of Indivisible — one of the major organizations within the No Kings network. “We’re done sending a message.”

Now, he says, they want people to vote. […]

Saturday’s events vary widely across the country, from block parties to cookouts to rallies. In Golden, Colo., a “Paws to the Polls” event invites people to bring their dogs on a march. Organizers in Everett, Wash., planned a “concert for democracy,” featuring an environmental troubadour.

All events will share similar restrictions, Levin says, including a rule against political endorsements and inviting current candidates to speak.

Works for me. Some of today’s events kicked off by striking up the band:

At the Memorial Bridge this morning for the No Kings march to start. The band is playing “All You Fascists Bound To Lose.”

— Andrea Pitzer (@andreapitzer.bsky.social) 2026-10-17T15:08:49.105Z

C’mon, everybody…you know the words!

Gonna tell all you fascists you may be surprised
People all over this world are getting organized
You’re bound to lose you fascists are bound to lose
People of every color marching side by side
Marching ‘cross the fields where the million fascists died
You’re bound to lose you fascists are bound to lose
All you fascists bound to lose

Yes, nothing gets the blood pumping like a Woody Guthrie anthem. In solidarity, I’ve curated a “midterm mixtape” for your dining and demonstrating pleasure. See you at the polls…bring a friend.

“Election Day” – Arcadia

November 3rd is just 2 weeks away, so (as Simon says) pull your shirt off and pray.

“Elected” – Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper kicked off his decades-long mock presidential campaign with the release of this satirical 1972 single. Interestingly, he firmly believes musicians should not tell fans how to vote.

“Vote for Me” – Chicago

Vote for me, vote for me
If I am elected, this is how it will be
I’ll cut your tax in half (Ooh)
I’ll make the Russians laugh (Ooh)
I’ll feed the hungry people everywhere (Ooh)
I’ll bring the railroads back (Ooh)
New trains and new track (Ooh)
From Waikiki to old Delaware (Ooh)

Boy, does that sound depressingly familiar…

“Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World is Today)” – The Temptations

Same as it ever was:

People movin’ out, people movin’ in
Why? Because of the color of their skin
Run, run, run, but you sure can’t hide
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
Vote for me and I’ll set you free
Rap on, brother, rap on

“You Haven’t Done Nothin’” – Stevie Wonder

Like many of us (who are old enough to remember), Stevie Wonder was suffering from acute Nixon/Watergate fatigue by the time he released this single in the summer of 1974.

But we are sick and tired of hearing your song
Telling how you are gonna change right from wrong
‘Cause if you really want to hear our views
“You haven’t done nothing”!

“Funky President (People It’s Bad)” – James Brown

James Brown’s 1974 state of the union address, released in the wake of Gerald Ford’s ascent to the presidency following Nixon’s resignation. That said, the message is evergreen.8

Hey, country, you didn’t say what you meant
You just changed, a brand new funky President
Stock market going up, jobs going down
It ain’t no funky job to be found
Tax keep going up, I changed from a glass
Now I drink from a paper cup, getting bad
People, people, we’ve got to get over
Before we go under, listen to me

“President Gas” – The Psychedelic Furs

The Furs’ lead singer Richard Butler wrote this 1982 song as a commentary on President Reagan, adding some snips at his home country’s leader Margaret Thatcher (good times!).

You have to have a party
When you’re in a state like this
You can really move it all
You have to vote and change

“Stand Down Margaret” – The English Beat

Speaking of Margaret Thatcher, The English Beat also had a few choice words for the Iron Lady in this 1980 song.

Our lives seem petty in your cold grey hands
Would you give a second thought
Would you ever give a damn, I doubt it
Stand down Margaret

“The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead” – XTC

Granted, this song is dark, but as some have posited, the road to Hell can be paved with good intentions. That said, it is ultimately up to us as voters to make intelligent choices and paper the system with leaders who are immune to corruption (they do exist, really they do).

“Clampdown” – The Clash

This just in: The rich and powerful use economic anxiety and fear to turn us against each other. But you knew that…so let’s “kick over the wall” and get out the vote!

The judge said five to ten, but I say double that again
I’m not working for the clampdown
No man born with a living soul
Can be working for the clampdown
Kick over the wall ’cause government’s to fall
How can you refuse it?
Let fury have the hour, anger can be power
D’you know that you can use it?

“No Matter Who You Vote For the Government Always Gets In” – Bonzo Dog Band

Since this mixtape is about democracy, thought I’d toss one in for all the cynics out there.

“Fortunate Son” – Creedence Clearwater Revival

*cough* Bone spurs *cough*

Some folks are born silver spoon in hand
Lord, don’t they help themselves, oh
But when the taxman come to the door
Lord, the house lookin’ like a rummage sale, yeah

It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no millionaire’s son, no, no
It ain’t me, it ain’t me; I ain’t no fortunate one, no

“Monster/Suicide/America” – Steppenwolf

So, how did we arrive to this incredibly fractured political state in our country? Well, sometimes you have to start from the very beginning. Let’s take a moment for a quick history lesson from Steppenwolf.

Once the religious, the hunted and weary
Chasing the promise of freedom and hope
Came to this country to build a new vision
Far from the reaches of kingdom and pope…

No Kings, please.

“Won’t Get Fooled Again” – The Who

Fool me once…

“The Times They Are a-Changin’” – Bob Dylan

This mix is getting a little depressing, so let’s focus on the hopey-changey bit (again).

“Vote ‘em Out” – Willie Nelson

Damn straight, Willie.

If you don’t like who’s in there, vote ’em out
That’s what Election Day is all about
The biggest gun we’ve got
Is called “the ballot box”
So if you don’t like who’s in there, vote ’em out

“People Have the Power” – Patti Smith

I’m with Patti on this one.

And the people have the power
To redeem the work of fools
From the meek the graces shower
It’s decreed the people rule

“A Beautiful Noise” – Alicia Keys & Brandi Carlile

This lovely 2020 duet pulled triple duty…getting out the vote and honoring both the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment (giving women the right to vote) and the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.