Tribute
To the songwriters & their songs that changed the world
Nina Simone
Her Song, “Mississippi Goddam” released in 1964 was her first civil rights song. Eunice Kathleen Waymon known professionally as Nina Simone was called to her activism after the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama by white supremacist. Four little girls died that evening, Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, Carol Denise McNair. Nina Simone was so shaken and angered by the vicious & tragic hate crime.
Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke’s song, “Change Gonna Come” inarguably served as the anthem for the civil rights movement Cooke was greatly moved upon hearing Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” in 1963 an Sam Cooke’s song, “A Change Gonna Come” inarguably served as the anthem for the civil rights movement. Cooke was greatly moved by Bob Dylan’s song “Blowin in the Wind” and after speaking with sit-in demonstrators in Durham, North Carolina following a concert, Cooke returned to his tour bus & wrote the first draft of what would become “ A Change Gonna Come” (last.fm).
Bob Dylan
His Song “Blowin in the Wind” which he wrote 1963. The song made a profound impact on the civil rights movement as it quickly became one of the most celebrated anthems.
“The thing about rock’n’roll is that for me anyway it wasn’t enough…There were great catch-phrases and driving pulse rhythms…but the songs weren’t serious or didn’t reflect life in a realistic way. I knew that when I got into folk music, it was more of a serious type of thing. The songs are filled with more despair, more sadness, more triumph, more faith in the supernatural, much deeper feelings.”
Bob Dylan
Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Mayfield’s song “People Get Ready” marks Mr. Mayfield as one of the first musicians to bring more prevalent themes of social awareness into soul music. This song is ranked at number 24 on the Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All time.
Bob Marley
Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” which Rolling Stone magazine placed at the 66th position of the 500 Greatest Songs of all time, was partly inspired by Jamaican Civil rights leader and Pan africanist, Marcus Garvey’s speech titled, “The Work That Has Been Done” The song was written while Marley had already been diagnosed with cancer and he was aware that he was dying. It is said he wrote and recorded the song while in great physical pain. The song is purely acoustic featuring just his guitar and vocals.
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye’s song “What’s Going On” a single that appeared on the concept album entitled the same as the song. This song as well at the album is narrative told from the point of view of a Vietnam veteran returning to his home country to witness hatred, suffering, and injustice.
Joni Mitchell
Canadian singer-songwriter used her platform to often sing about environmental & social issues. She is often referred to as the most important & influential female recording artist of the late 20th century. Her song, “Both Sides Now”, one of her most well known songs which accurately & poetically described the soundtrack for the dualities of life.