music that changed the world

Sam Cooke – “A Change Is Gonna Come” (1964)

Cooke wrote this protest song to support the civil rights movement in the United States. When Cooke
heard Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” he became determined to write something similar. Some of the
lyrics were inspired by an incident where Cooke and his friends were arrested for disturbing the peace
after they were denied room at a motel in Louisiana. The lyrics, “I go to the movie and I go downtown
and somebody keep telling me don’t hang around,” speak boldly about segregation. This song was released
as a single a few months after Cooke died.

Edwin Starr – “War” (1970)

Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, “War” openly protested the Vietnam War and also relayed the
need for harmony in our everyday lives. It was the first Motown song to make a political statement with the
lyrics, “War. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!” This protest song made anti-war anthem history.

Billie Holiday – “Strange Fruit” (1939)

Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” is a protest song with enduring relevance. It’s lyrics symbolize the brutality
and racism of the practice of lynching in the American South. The song itself has endured and become a symbol
of the racism, cruelty, pain, and suffering endured by so many in the U.S. This version went on to become Time
magazine’s song of the century in 1999. Now, more than 70 years after it was released, rapper Kanye West has
sampled the track in his latest album, Yeezus.

John Lennon – “Imagine” (1971)

Widely regarded as John Lennon’s signature song, “Imagine” was the title track of his second album, and is perhaps
his best-known solo work. John Lennon famously said that the track is “anti-religious, anti-nationalistic, anti-
conventional, anti-capitalistic…but because it’s sugar-coated, it is accepted.” The track conveyed Lennon’s wish for
world peace and harmony. While the song’s message resonated widely, and was given added poignancy after Lennon’s
assassination in 1980, its message has since been derided by many who point out the contradiction of a multi-millionaire
asking the rest of the world to imagine no possessions.

U2 – “Sunday Bloody Sunday” (1983)

One of U2’s most overtly political songs, the lyrics of “Sunday Bloody Sunday” describe the horror felt by an observer
of the troubles in Northern Ireland, particularly the Bloody Sunday incident in Derry, January 1972, where British para-
troopers killed 13 Irish citizens at a civil rights protest. However, the lyrics are a nonpartisan condemnation of the
historic bloodshed in Ireland. Bono says the song is more about interpersonal struggles than about the actual Bloody Sunday
events. While performing the song, Bono would wave a white flag as a call for peace, and the track took on a new meaning as
the conflict in Northern Ireland continued through the 1990s.

Marvin Gaye - “What’s Going On” (1971)

With his 1971 album "What's Going On", Marvin Gaye not only raised his voice against the Vietnam war, but addressed problems
of his time such as drug abuse and poverty. Despite the seriousness of his album, the title track has a very positive and
inspiring message: "You know we've got to find a way; To bring some lovin' here today". His album achieved remarkable and
enduring success, coming in at sixth place on Rolling Stone magazine's "500 greatest Albums of All Time" list in 2003.

Public Enemy – “Fight the Power” (1989)

Public Enemy’s most famous song, this track embodies their message of black pride, while taking shots at white icons Elvis
Presley and John Wayne. This militant and confrontational approach was designed to empower the black community and create
some controversy along the way, which helped them sell albums. The unified message was one that a lot of people, not just
African Americans, could get behind. “Fight the Power” concentrated on getting listeners to participate in politics.

Curtis Mayfield - "People Get Ready" (1965)

Ahymn of the civil rights movement and taken up in other places of struggle such as South Africa. The song has been covered
by many, but the original still inspires, unites and reminds all of the human struggle for equality. It's also been used and
played by many LGBT groups and causes." Cookie Schwartz, US

Michael Jackson - "Black or White" (1991)

The song was released by Epic Records on November 11, 1991, as the first ingle from his eighth studio album, Dangerous. He
co-wrote, composed, and produced it with Bill Bottrell. The song is a fusion of pop rock, dance and hip hop. Epic Records
described the song as "a rock 'n' roll dance song about racial harmony". It was one of the first songs of it's kind to make
a political stance going number one in only its third week after being released.

Joni Mitchell: “Big Yellow Taxi” (1970)

Joni Mitchell’s 1970 hit “Big Yellow Taxi” addresses environmental concerns. Describing her thought process, she said, “I
wrote 'Big Yellow Taxi' on my first trip to Hawaii. I took a taxi to the hotel and when I woke up the next morning, I threw
back the curtains and saw these beautiful green mountains in the distance. Then, I looked down and there was a parking lot
as far as the eye could see, and it broke my heart... this blight on paradise. That's when I sat down and wrote the song.”

Bob Dylan - "The Times Are A Changin" (1964)

While Bob Dylan has long been outspoken on several issues, he is especially known for his songs about the African-American
Civil Rights movement during the 1960s. His hit "Times They Are A-Changin'" for example, was intended for a young generation
of the 60′s who felt that segregation and oppression were outdated practices and were looking for change. Its ambiguous nature,
however, will allow it to inspire future generations. The young folk sensation effectively introduced 1960s counterculture with
this record. His lyrics announced sweeping, generational change and calls upon everyone to join the movement. Dozens of artists
have covered the timeless song since its 1964 release.

Bob Marley - "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)" (1973)

Known by some as the “Voice of the third world”, Marley was another artist who chose to use his music to make political and
social statements. "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)", performed by Bob Marley and the Wailers in 1975, warns of the danger
of letting a nation's poor to go hungry.