African American Protest Songs During the Civil Rights Movement: May 2013

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Protest Songs That Came Before and After the Movement

Even before the Civil Rights Movement, there were those trying to get equality for African Americans. It wasn't a new idea, so there were many songs dedicated to the promotion of civil rights. The years following the Civil Rights Movement were still rough for African Americans, even though a bill was already passed. Even two decades later, America was still struggling with inequality or unfairness even though the Civl Rights bill was passed. And songs still sung out in protest. Music has always acted as the voice for those who haven't the courage to speak up, or haven't yet done so. I believe that music has been very influential before, during and after the Civil Rights Movement, and has helped the cause greatly. As we saw during the Movement, music has been very powerful in helping to spread ideas and opinions. The years following the Movement, and even until the 90's (I feel especially), music has helped to express the feelings and sentiments of people who have been put down and looked down upon. It has served as a rally point where people gather to create an even stronger voice.

Pete Seeger2 - 6-16-07 Photo by Anthony Pepitone.jpg

Artist: Pete Seeger

Song: We Shall Overcome

Album: American Ballads

Record: Folkways Records

Catalog: FW-4921

Date: 1957

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhnPVP23rzo

Artist: Hank Crawford and Jimmy McGriff

Song: Steppin' Up

Album: Steppin' Up

Record: Milestone

Catalog: 2518

Date: 1987

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7t7frD4h1k

Artist: James Brown

Song: Say it Loud: I'm Black and Proud

Album: Say it Loud

Record: King Records

Catalog: 6029

Date: 1968

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M53-Mb1KDZ0

Artist: The Roots

Song: Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round

Album: (can't find)

Record:

Catalog:

Date: 1999

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ6mhRZ8LjM

Artist: Sly and the Family Stone

Song: Everyday People

Album: Stand!

Record: Epic

Catalog: BN 26456

Date: 1969

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7wQCrP5f08

Artist: Neil Young

Song: Southern Man

Album: After the Goldrush

Record: Reprise

Catalog: Reprise 291

Date: 1979

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVRxdPWV3RM

Artist: Public Enemy

Song: Fight the Power

Album: Fear of a Black Planet

Record: Motown Records

Catalog: Motown 1948

Date:1989

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PaoLy7PHwk

Artist: Michael Jackson

Song: Black or White

Album: Dangerous

Record: Epic Records

Catalog: Epic 563

Date:1991

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2AitTPI5U0

Artist: Queen

Song: One Vision

Album: A Kind of Magic

Record: EMI/Capitol

Catalog: EMI 452

Date: 1985

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsujXw267XQ

Songs In Response to Events

With the Civil Rights Movement in full effect, there were many who still believed that America should stay the way it was. To thwart the efforts of prominent leaders in the black struggle, violent actions had been taken. In 1963, the 16th Street Baptist Church was bombed and resulted in the death of four young children. In 1964, Medgar Evers, a civil rights leader, was murdered. And perhaps the most widely known leader of the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated on April 4, 1968. All of these events had impacts that would later fuel the fire for more to join the movement. The atrocities committed against the Civil Rights Movement led many artists to write and release songs in response, helping to gain more awareness.