The Beatles once said that we all want to change the world. That could mean a variety of things; are you bringing some sort of peace to the world, or are you changing it by inventing the Snuggie? Some of us, however, would choose to let other people’s world help in a world change. So we asked our writing staff which song they would play if they could get the entire world to sit down and listen. Here are their answers.

Amy Dittmeier – If I have the power to sit the world down for about five minutes and have their undivided attention I must be some type of superhero or ultra-villain. Going along these self-instated guidelines, I offer two choices. For the villain in me I pick “The Dope Show” by Marilyn Manson. Though industrial music has joined the ranks of 90s nostalgia, there’s still something awesome about Manson’s single from Mechanical Animals. I credit my obsession with it to the pounding chorus of “We’re all-stars now in the dope show.” It’s a novel song to drive my minions into suppression. If I’m more the tights-and-flights hero, my pick would be “Your Ex-Lover is Dead” by Stars. Again, the chorus is what draws me to this song – “Live through this and you won’t look back.” It could be the world’s “Keep calm and carry on” slogan. Leave it to Canadians to give the world some inspiring words.

Dominick Mayer – Given the sheer volume of material released by Tupac Shakur’s estate after his death, I wouldn’t blame you if you don’t remember the “Thugz Mansion” acoustic remix featuring Nas that came out around eight years ago. However, if you haven’t heard it, all I can say is: DO WORK, SONS AND DAUGHTERS. Excluding the fact that it’s one of the best rap songs I’ve ever heard, it’s essential listening for everyone because it depicts a version of heaven stripped of melodrama; a weary Shakur imagines it as a place where he can go hang out with his family and his people without having to deal with people starting shit. Nas’ verse adds a present-day spin on it, but the most emotionally wrenching moment comes when ‘Pac, in a verse delivered before his untimely murder, outlines a vision of the after life where he can “Tell my mama we in heaven/And it ain’t got hoods” and listen to Miles Davis and his band play until the wee hours of the morning as he takes his place beside Malcolm X. The sad thing is that had this track dropped when Shakur was live, it would’ve been another display of hubris; posthumously, it’s a gorgeous eulogy delivered from the man himself. Feel free to include your answer in the comments.

Beth Yeckley – Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” After conjuring up the most instinctive and super cheesy songs and imagery (mainly “We Are The World” and flashes of Ghandi. And I think I thought of the Coca Cola song, too), I had to choose a song that no one can resist singing along to, even if you hate it. And I’m sure some far off peoples would feel a mystical enlightenment when hearing the song.

Everett Salyer – I guess I could go with something cliché like “Imagine” by John Lennon, but instead I’m going to blast “Fortunate Son” (John Cusack style) by Credence Clearwater Revival. Patriotism is a worldwide epidemic. Oscar Wilde once said “Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious”, and I couldn’t agree more. I’d like the world to learn that the borders that bind us to be Americans, or Chinese, or Africans, are really just imaginary lines on a map. The “human race” is the only collectivist title that we should bind ourselves with. If we are ever to provide a peaceful sustainable world for future generations we have to stop letting the powerful wealthy elitists (who really control the world) stop sending us into war to protect their power and wealth. Especially when their reasoning is wrapped in a star spangled banner.

“Some folks inherit star spangled eyes,
ooh, they send you down to war, Lord,
And when you ask them, how much should we give,
oh, they only answer, more, more, more, yoh,”