MUSIC IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

Photo Credit: http://www.herculture.org

Music has forever been an integral part of Black culture, and one of the most important roles music has played throughout Black history is during the USA’s Civil Rights movement that took place in the 1950s-1960s.

Below, we explore the significance of music during the Civil Rights movement and attempt to understand how names such as Nina Simone and Sam Cooke became indivisible with the long-running campaign.

Here are the main points that we cover:

• Music in the Civil Rights movement
• What was the role of music in the civil rights movement?

- Music aimed to share the African-American experience

- Music aimed to promote change

- Music aimed to unite the people

• How did music affect the Civil Rights movement?
• Which political song promoted the Civil Rights movement?
• Examples of music from the Civil Rights movement
• Music and Civil Rights today

If you would like to find out more about the above, then keep on reading!

Music in the Civil Rights Movement

To grasp the significance of music in the Civil Rights movement, one must first be knowledgeable about the origins of music itself.

Long before the music industry existed and people profited off singles, albums and concert tickets, music was a way for one person to communicate their ideas and feelings to another. Essentially, music started as a form of storytelling. From the words of a song, one became familiar with the singer/songwriter’s mindset; from the tone of the song, one was able to grasp their emotional state.

As societies worldwide developed, music became associated with celebrations. No matter if a community was honoring their religion or toasting to newlyweds, music was incorporated into their merrymaking. During the ages of ancient Rome and ancient Greece, music was understood as a way to unite the people.

For the last few hundred years, music has helped people relate to one another. Some artists may write and sing songs about experiences that the masses can relate to; some may create music that shares the experiences of the oppressed so that the privileged can learn from the lyrics and those who relate to the lyrics seek comfort knowing that they’re not alone.

During the 19th Century, African-American slaves would create songs for a multitude of reasons – music was their only tool and more often than not their voices were their only possession. Some songs helped the African-American slaves relieve an ounce of their frustration; some asked God for mercy; some reminded individuals that they were all in this together; some gave them hope for a brighter future.

America may have abolished slavery in 1865, but the fight was far from over in the US – in fact, it’s still far from over. But changes were made during the Civil Rights movement that officially began in the year of 1954. As Black communities across the US fought and protested for equality, they used music to make a change; and during this time, Black musicians of note dedicated their lives to moving the needle.

What Was the Role of Music in the Civil Rights Movement?

During the Civil Rights Movement, music played three key roles:

1. Music aimed to unite the people

2. Music aimed to share the African-American experience

3. Music aimed to promote change. Let’s take a moment to explore each of these roles

Let's go into a bit more detail.

Music Aimed to Unite the People

The ambitious goal of the Albany Movement (1961-1962) that took place in Albany, Georgia was to put an end to the city’s unjust racial segregation and prompt the enfranchisement of its Black citizens. Just a few weeks in, the Albany Movement called in Martin Luther King Jr. to inspire the people of the city and to attract the attention of media outlets.

During the time of the Albany Movement, Martin Luther King Jr. made a speech that touched on the part that music was playing within the Civil Rights Movement. His exact words were, “The songs are playing a strong and vital role in our struggle. They give the people new courage and a sense of unity. I think they keep alive a faith, a radiant hope, in the future, particularly in our most trying hours”.

In August 1963, a year after the Albany Movement, The Freedom Singers famously performed ‘We Shall Not Be Moved’ at the March on Washington. Just like MLK JR. said, music was key to uniting the people and helping them manifest a brighter future.

Music Aimed to Share the African-American Experience

The reason that the Civil Rights movement was so vital to the United States of America is that millions of Americans were still so deaf and blind to the inferiority of the African-American experience at the time. Black people in America were not given the same rights as everyone else within the States and the responsibility fell on musicians to challenge and subsequently break norms and conventions.

One of the most important artists involved in the Civil Rights Movement was North Carolina-born soul singer, Nina Simone. Not only did Simone create music that other Black folk could relate to, but she also produced songs that became so popular that they educated the unenlightened. For example, her song ‘I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free’ – a song written by Jazz pianist Bill Taylor and songwriter Dick Dallas – explains how she, a Black woman, lives a restricted life in her home country.

Naturally, thousands of African-Americans related to the lyrics of the song, hence, it became one of the anthems of the Civil Rights movement.

Music Aimed to Promote Change

It goes without saying that the main objective of the Civil Rights movement was to promote change; activists across the country did everything in their power to fight for equality and stop discrimination. The Black musicians of the era would regularly release songs that aimed to inspire activists to keep fighting for the cause and remind their Black peers that a brighter future was ahead.

In February 1964, Sam Cooke released the most significant song of his career, ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’. The soul-stirring track documented the struggles that Cooke faced throughout his life – the life of a Black musician – and prophesied a better tomorrow.

How Did Music Affect the Civil Rights Movement?

Just five months after Sam Cooke wished for a better future in his track ‘A Change is Gonna Come', The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was put into place. Essentially, the act prohibited racial discrimination in workplaces, accommodations and public areas and facilities.

The Act was first announced on 11th June 1963 when President John F. Kennedy made a speech about his plans to pursue a civil rights bill. Sadly, Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963 which meant Martin Luther King Jr. had to ensure that the new president, Lyndon B. Johnson followed through on Kennedy’s promises. On 2nd July 1964, Johnson signed the new Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the company of MLK Jr. and his fellow Civil Rights leaders – and they could not have reached this point without freedom songs.

If you’ve ever watched clips of Civil Rights movement protests – e.g. the march on Washington – you are likely to hear the people singing freedom songs. Often gospel songs, freedom songs such as ‘We Shall Overcome’ and ‘This Little Light of Mine’ would help the activist literally and figuratively make a lot of noise about the USA’s racist conventions.

Which Political Song Promoted the Civil Rights Movement?

It’s impossible to highlight just one song that promoted the Civil Rights movement as a slew of tracks released by various artists aided Martin Luther King Jr. and other activists in their pursuit of equality.

Below, we take you through some of the most important songs to release during the time of the Civil Rights movement.

Examples of Music From the Civil Rights Movement

Kicking off this list is Nina Simone with ‘Mississippi Goddam’, released on her album Nina Simone in Concert in 1964.

Nina Simone – ‘Mississippi Goddam’

Some of the music from the Civil Rights Movement is discreet with its references – it aspires to capture the general mood of African-American communities at the time; then some of the music directly references the African-American experience and calls out significant happenings that take place during the epoch. Fans of Nina Simone will know that the majority of our post-1960s music falls into the latter category.

‘Mississippi Goddam’ is essentially Simone’s reaction to the racially motivated murders of Emmett Till, Medgar Evans and the victims of the Alabama church bombing. Each time the singer sang this particular track, it was clear that her emotions would be running high – there’s a certain sadness and anger that can be heard in the singer’s voice, and for good reason.

Mahalia Jackson – ‘How I Got Over’

Mahalia Jackson was one of the most important voices of the Civil Rights movement – in fact, Mahalia served as the inspiration to her good friend Martin Luther King JR.’s iconic ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.

A cover of Clara Ward’s inspiring track ‘How I Got Over’ was sung by the American gospel singer at the March of Washington for Jobs and Freedom in front of a huge crowd. The lyrics of Ward’s song focus on how surviving the hardships of the Black experience will ultimately pay off – whether that’s here on Earth on in heaven, we don’t know as the lyrics are purposefully ambiguous.

James Brown – ‘Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud’

During the late 1960s, James Brown’s music was being defined as funk music – but the upbeat sound of Brown’s songs didn’t stop him from infusing his records with activism.

Just four months after Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, Brown released ‘Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud’. As the title suggests, the song incites Black people to be proud of their race and to celebrate it. The timely release of this track helped African-Americans raise their spirits post-assassination and helped activists keep up the momentum as the fight was far from over.

Music and Civil Rights Today

The Civil Rights movement may have resulted in important gains for the Black community back in the 1960s, but systemic racism remains a blight upon society to this day.

In 2020, the brutal murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer sparked protests across the world which were often associated with the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement. During this time, artists such as Lil Baby, H.E.R and Noname shared their thoughts via song. Listen to a selection of the most impactful tracks below.

Lil Baby – ‘The Bigger Picture'

H.E.R. – ‘I Can’t Breathe’

Noname – ‘Song 33’

T-Pain – ‘Get Up’

Dinner Party – ‘Freeze Tag (ft. Cordae, Phoelix and Snoop Dogg)’

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