Music has made an enormous contribution to American history and society. Even in the times of slavery, black people on plantations soothed the pain from exhausting labor, beatings, and humiliation by singing and praying. God was the only judge to whom they could appeal. This is how the gospel was born, a speech, addressed to God, woven into the rhythm of drums, and played on strings and keys. In the 1960th, music laid the moral, political, and organizational foundation for the civil rights movement.
The song “People Get Ready”, written by Curtis Mayfield for his band The Impressions, became a civil rights anthem and has been regularly performed in American Protestant churches for several decades. Curtis claimed to have written the composition under the influence of the gospel music and Christian traditions in which he was raised. Subsequently, it has turned into a humanistic hymn and for half a century, it has been performed in demonstrations by civil rights activists. Moreover, it has been included in the songbooks by many churches shortly after its release. Religion has played a big part in this song since it reflects the ideal of faith that overcomes racial barriers.
Another song “We Shall Overcome” performed by Joan Baez was the unofficial anthem of the freedom fighters and was performed at rallies, festivals, and concerts. It sounded during the famous March on Washington in 1963, where Martin Luther King gave his speech “I Have a Dream”. It was famous in the 1960s and 1970s and continues to live now. “We Shall Overcome”, like many other freedom songs, reflects the goals and methods of the early protestors. They fought for the equality the United States still strives for.
Songs from the late 1960s reflect a change in the attitudes of black Americans towards themselves and towards whites. In 1968, James Brown loudly proclaimed pride in his skin color. In his song “Say It Loud—I’m Black and I’m Proud”. This statement demonstrates that the artist does not only consider himself worse than the privileged whites and asks for their mercy. On the contrary, James does not hide his skin color and is proud of it. This song, like many others, shows that the attitude of black people towards themselves is being changed. However, it also reflects the feeling that a lot is still left to be done in race relations. The words “Gonna build a brand new world” encourage black people to respect themselves, and their skin color, and achieve their goals.
While early songs appeal to justice and humanity, the later ones loudly urge blacks to rally and defend their rights. They still fight for equality and protest against injustice against the black population. Music helps in this fight, being a symbol of unification, which calls for uniting under the same goal instead of focusing on the differences. It connects people and influences the history of the United States. Such freedom music has power, voice, and millions of followers.