Joan Baez doesn’t mind speaking her truth; heck, she only liked A Complete Unknown because of Monica Barbaro’s portrayal. Now, during a recent visit to Wiser Than Me With Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the iconic singer has turned her eye toward modern-day pop stars.
Baez’s criticism wasn’t about anyone’s music, nor did she call out any starlets by name. (Sheath those swords, Swifties!) Rather, Baez was asked in broad terms about younger artists who hadn’t spoken up about abuses by the Trump Administration and other recent socio-political happenings. And, at first, she was diplomatic to the point of almost being empathetic.
“I understand where they’re coming from,” Baez said. “The young people right now, some are writing amazing stuff. A few are willing to speak out.”
Baez then highlighted two artists she sees as exceptions:Brandi Carlile and her “pal” Maggie Rogers. (Baez specifically touted Rogers for being “front and center on the stage at a rally against ICE” back in April. Baez and Rogers previously performed together at an AOC/Bernie Sanders rally from April 2025.)
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Still, while Baez understands some artists’ hesitancy, she admitted she’s baffled by the stars who continue to stay on the sidelines.
“I sort of cock my head at these stadiums filled with brilliant young women songwriters, and why can’t they just take that little step,” Baez said. “Because they’re already richer than God, you know, most of them. So, that little step.”
None of this is at all a case of “old woman yells at cloud.” Over the last 60-plus years, Baez has put her money where her mouth is and then some. There’s a strong case to be made that ’60s folk music was so interested in activism because of Baez’s overt influence. And over the years, she’s championed a suite of causes, from LGTBQ+ rights and the Vietnam War to even death penalty reform. That activism continues especially to this day; last October, she released a poem titled “Little Green Worm,” in which Baez cut down Trump for his distinct lack of empathy.
Basically, everyone (pop stars included) clearly has something to learn from Baez, who through her musical output and elevated profile have tried to make the world even one degree better every single day. Let us all, in her own words, “take that little step.”
Check out the full episode here. Below, check out a recent interview with Baez where she discusses her ongoing activism.