Released 50 years ago
Struggle
Woody Guthrie · 1976
34 min · 12 tracks · country music
A raw yet poignant collection of folk narratives that breathes life into the struggles of the working class.
Top tracks — play these first
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Union Burying Ground — This track vividly depicts the somber realities of laborers' lives and their sacrifices, making it a cornerstone of Guthrie's advocacy for workers' rights.
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Ludlow Massacre — By narrating the tragic events surrounding the Ludlow Massacre, this song serves as a powerful reminder of labor struggles and historical injustices.
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Pretty Boy Floyd — This song humanizes the infamous outlaw by portraying him as a Robin Hood figure, reflective of Guthrie's tendency to romanticize figures who challenged the status quo.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's folk narratives and political themes create a compelling yet accessible collection that resonates over time.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of acoustic guitar and harmonica, creating a raw, stripped-down sound that emphasizes the storytelling.
- Each track typically follows a verse-chorus structure, with lyrics focused on social and political themes relevant to the working class.
- The pacing varies slightly, with some tracks maintaining a steady tempo while others slow down to reflect the gravity of their subject matter.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short poignant narratives
- cathartic group sing-alongs
- reflective moments of struggle
- quick bursts of storytelling
- historical reflections on resilience
Maybe skip if you
- seeking polished production
- prefer lengthy instrumental pieces
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1976, 'Struggle' marked Woody Guthrie's posthumous return to the spotlight, showcasing previously unreleased recordings from the 1940s and 1950s. This album emerged after a long period of relative obscurity for Guthrie's work, as he had passed away in 1967, leaving behind a legacy of social activism through music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Pete Seeger· Bob Dylan· Lead Belly
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Struggle Blues 2:04
- 2 A Dollar Down and a Dollar a Week 1:40
- 3 Get Along Little Doggies 3:04
- 4 Hang Knot 2:17
- 5 Waiting at the Gate 2:52
- 6 The Dying Miner 2:58
- 7 Union Burying Ground 3:06
- 8 Lost John 2:53
- 9 Buffalo Skinners 3:17
- 10 Pretty Boy Floyd 3:07
- 11 Ludlow Massacre 3:32
- 12 1913 Massacre 3:35
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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