Civil Rights Movement: Song Analysis

Motown Records was founded in 1959 by Berry Gordy who turned his music production company into history’s most successful black-owned record label company.

From the Civil Rights Movement to the Black Lives Matter movement, music continue to be the expression of all that is contained in the movement. It shows the struggles, the passions, the history of the movements. It gives hope, brightens the day, rallies, and unifies the people of movements.

African American influence in music has been an ever present and controversial subject in American history. Stemming from many different cultures, religions and backgrounds, large portions of American music was introduced by, and credited to African Americans. Although in many cases, this music was used for entertainment by the masses or majority, contrary to popular belief, black music served a greater purpose than just recreation. Dating all the way back to the beginning of slavery in the U.S. during the 17th century, music has been used to make a statement and send a message. As African American music progressed over the years, there were common themes expressed as the genres evolved. It has been an open letter to the world, documenting and protesting the ongoing oppression faced by blacks in the United States, as well as an outlet for frustration. For many African Americans, the music gave them the only voice that couldn’t be silenced by their oppressors.

Through songs many people express their feelings of the world threw the words they have wrote. Many songs talk about civil rights of the people and how change should be an option. In the world we live in today we have social issues that people have to face such as: police brutality, racial profiling, discrimination etc. Through Kendrick Lamar, Public Enemy, The Game, Bebe Winans, and N.W.A they will use their voice as a weapon for change among all people. Music with a message thrives in a live setting, for obvious reasons, and many politically conscious musicians aim to channel the heightened emotions

A spiritual journey dominates these songs, but the concern for physical freedom is there as well. The most pervasive image in the spirituals is that of the chosen people for the slaves believed that they had been chosen by God just as the Israelites had. They also believed that they understood better than anyone what freedom truly meant in both a spiritual and physical sense. The Old Testament characters that the slaves referred to in their songs experienced deliverance by God. The slaves believed that the same God that had granted them spiritual freedom would someday loose the chains of slavery. The wonderful flexibility of the spirituals allowed for that double meaning of freedom. For example, Frederick Douglass claimed that the line” I am bound for Canaan” in one of the songs he frequently sang meant that he was going North, not just that he would experience the freedom of the promised land in a spiritual sense. The flexibility and multiplicity of meanings also allowed for slaves to use these sacred songs as secret communication. Some songs, such as “Steal Away to Jesus,” were used to call a secret meeting where the people could worship without the supervision of the whites. Other songs, such as “Wade in the Water” served as coded directions for runaway slaves. With the eventual emancipation of the slaves, religious music of African Americans became prominently

For more about music in the Civil Rights Movement, read these two Folklife Today blog posts on “Tracing the Long Journey of “We Shall Overcome” and “Photographs of the Southern Freedom Movement in the Alan Lomax

From about the early 1600s-mid 1800s, African-American spiritual were very popular amongst the black community. They were originally formed to provide comfort and ease the boredom of daily tasks. Also, they were a form of spiritual devotion and a longing for freedom from slavery. You may be surprised to hear that some popular songs, such as “Amazing Grace”, were originally African-American spirituals. Another famous spiritual is “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” by Wallis Willis. The term “spiritual” comes from the Kings James Bible translation of Ephesians 5:19: “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Typically when singing spirituals,

But at the time what most slave owners did not know was that most of these “silly tunes” were actually expressions of spiritual devotion and a calling out for freedom from this bondage. During this period, when the slaves were on the palate and working hard, there were obviously some that were very vulnerable and never thought about escaping. On the other hand, you had those who were risking their lives, from this horrible lifestyle. I wouldn't call them rebellious but rather clever and use what they had resourcefully their voice, and the gift of song. Since many of these slaves knew the secret meanings of these songs, they could be used to signal many things. For example, Harriet Tubman used the song “Wade in the Water” to signal the escaping slaves to get off the trail and get into the water because people walking through water did not leave a scent trail that the slave catchers dogs could

The 1960’s was one of the most controversial decades in American history because of not only the Vietnam War, but there was an outbreak of protests involving civil and social conditions all across college campuses. These protests have been taken to the extent where people either have died or have been seriously injured. However, during the 1960’s, America saw a popular form of art known as protest music, which responded to the social turmoil of that era, from the civil rights movement to the war in Vietnam. A veritable pantheon of musicians, such as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan sang their songs to encourage union organizers to protest the inequities of their time, creating a diverse variety of popular

In the article, the author states that music had an important infulence during civil rights movement that played a role on giving voices and reflecting the evolution of the movement. Most the songs were written about freedom, a radiant hope, faith, and equality, and they were shared expandly quickly. Moreover, a development of the music in the black struggle also reflects the evolution of the movement. For example, when people sing "Why We Can't Wait", the song helps them to give their wish about Black and White together someday. Malliha Jackson and Harry Belafonte was the most prominent music in the movement. "In the 1961, Freedom Rides songs played a critical role in sustaining morale for those serving time in Mississippi’s Hinds County

Artists like Bruno Mars, John Legend, and Alicia Keys have reflected that in their recent music by using the same melodies that were used by the slaves and civil rights activists calling for young African Americans to follow in the footsteps of those like Martin Luther King Jr. and search for the “liberty for all” that is spoken of in the Pledge of

As Gospel music has a complex and diversified history, there are several forms of the genre, many of which intertwine with Soul (Gospel’s secular counterpart), Blues and Jazz. Consequently, although adaptable and broadly-defined, Gospel’s all-embracing musical lesson of spiritual contemplation and persistence, has always been a constant reminder for its enthusiasts.

The song “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” is a spiritual protest song written in the past to bring awareness to slavery and how the slave feels. This songs audience can be for either slaves or owners of slaves. This is because the author of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” could be trying to find people that feel the way he does or he could be trying to get the slave owners to understand the perspective of slaves in general, os they can stop keeping them as slaves and instead, let them be free.

All these songs are to praise Jesus, the individual that is known to be the savior of the people. The early spirituals still are sung today and people still think of these songs, as hope to live the better lives.

“Where Have All The Flowers Gone?” by Pete Seeger became a popular anti-war protest song during the 1960s. This song did not only protest against the Vietnam War but also made their generation more aware about the global problems. Songs like “Not Ready to Make Nice” by Dixie chicks about freedom of speech was written after they received death threats for singing against the Iraq war, protests against the violation of human rights. But music is not only used to protest, it is also used to give hope and optimism. “We Shall Overcome”, a song sung by Guy Carawan together with the Montgomery Gospel Trio and the Nashville Quartet, is perhaps the best known example of civil rights song. Instead of blaming the government, this song registered a feeling of hope and faith among African-Americans during the civil rights movement.