Music and the Civil Rights Movement

BACKGROUND Many styles of music helped to support the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s. For example, the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963—where Martin Luther King, Jr., famously delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech—featured gospel singer Mahalia Jackson and folk revival artists Joan Baez and Odetta. Soul music in particular became known as the "soundtrack to the civil rights movement" in the 1960s because of records such as Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” and the Impressions' "People Get Ready." In the late 1960s into the 1970s, artists including funk legend James Brown and jazz great Nina Simone began emphasizing themes of black pride in songs like “Say it Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud” and “To Be Young, Gifted, and Black.” Music inspired by the civil rights movement and songs voicing the struggle for racial equality continue into the twenty-first century. Artists active earlier in the movement, such as singing group Sweet Honey in the Rock, remained engaged. Many younger musicians like John Legend and rapper Common have also joined the cause. 9 : PLAYLIST Take My Hand, Precious Lord (1956) • Mahalia Jackson Oh Freedom (1956) • Odetta If I Had a Hammer (1962) • Peter, Paul and Mary We Shall Overcome (live version) (1963) • Pete Seeger Alabama (1963) • John Coltrane Quartet Birmingham Sunday (1964) • Joan Baez A Change is Gonna Come (1964) • Sam Cooke People Get Ready (1965) • The Impressions Respect (1965) • Aretha Franklin Society’s Child (Baby I’ve Been Thinking) (1967) • Janis Ian Say it Loud - I’m Black and I’m Proud (1968) • James Brown Everyday People (1969) • Sly & The Family Stone To Be Young, Gifted and Black (1970) • Nina Simone Soulsville (1971) • Isaac Hayes Respect Yourself (1971) • The Staple Singers Get Up, Stand Up (1975) • Bob Marley & The Wailers Chocolate City (1975) • Parliament Keep Your Eyes on the Prize (2000) • Sweet Honey in the Rock & James Horner Glory (2014) • Common & John Legend