Readers recommend: songs about independence

This week at the Readers Recommend freehouse it is time to serve up what the great Maya Angelou, who sadly died this week, called "a heady draught. It does not matter that its taste is not always appealing. It is addictive and with each drink you want more." So let's taste some, and then have another. Independence is often an attractive quality in people, and can be a noble pursuit. But it is also double-edged and a potent brew for song. With it comes responsibility, cost, and as history has often shown, disappointment, compromise, suffering and even bloodshed. On all levels, and throughout life, independence is something humans have craved: children from their parents, workers from the shadow of big business, women's rights and freedom from slavery.

And of course, much of this is passionately expressed in music. Songwriters are, by necessity, also often independent-minded. They might fight against record companies or band members, yearn to go it alone, but they also need others to help them reach their goal. They seek to express themselves as individuals, and yet their art often comes to full fruition when their song is sung by a multitude. As Vivian Stanshall put it, less seriously: "Why can't I be different and unusual ... like everybody else?"

The pursuit of independence runs through the veins of human history with as much bloody violence as glory, stimulating song, whether that be in the American war of 1775-82 to Ireland, India, Africa, or South America, or any other invaded country, wherein all were escaping from or imposing the clutches of empire. And now the internet itself, the bearer of so much independent expression and freedom, is itself vulnerable to such control, as Edward Snowden's revelations on NSA surveillance reveal. As Glenn Greenwald, who helped bring these revelations said: “I don't have a 'side' – I'm responsible for what I say and nothing else.”

Political independence is a particularly hot topic, with the rise, for now, of Ukip and other right-wing anti-EU political parties, and, separately, the forthcoming vote on Scottish independence. So, in whatever context you choose, suggest songs about independence in this, our friendly freehouse, where all are welcome, without prejudice. And enjoy this potent brew, for it is laced with paradox, for, as Joseph Heller satirically put it, on the predicament of Yossarian in Catch-22: "The country was in peril; he was jeopardising his traditional rights of freedom and independence by daring to exercise them."

Small caveat? Many years ago we had some songs on the subject of freedom, but feel at liberty for many other suggestions. This week's highly independent arbiter is the stupendous sonofwebcore, who will select your offerings placed in comments below up to last orders (11pm BST) on Monday 2 June for the results on Thursday 5 June.

To increase the likelihood of your nomination being considered, please: