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Paper 4: Music Of The 1960's

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Paper 4: Music of the 1960’s
The 1960s in the United States and the world was a time of significant political, social, and cultural change. The United States was involved in the Vietnam War, and there was a growing anti-war movement that called for an end to the conflict. The civil rights movement was also gaining momentum, with activists working to end racial discrimination and segregation. The civil rights movement was a decades-long struggle by African Americans and their allies to secure equal rights under the law in the United States. This paper will focus on the music of the civil rights movement which helped to secure equal rights for African Americans and paved the way for a more just and equitable society. Musicians often use their …show more content…

Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" is a powerful song that speaks to the struggles of the civil rights movement in the 1960s. The song is notable for its soulful melody and Cooke's passionate vocals, and its lyrics speak to the hope for a brighter future despite the difficulties of the present expressed by the lyric “There been times that I thought, I couldn't last for long, But now, I think I'm able, To carry on.” The song was inspired by Cooke's personal experiences of racism and discrimination, his hit record became an anthem for the civil rights movement. "A Change Is Gonna Come" is a timeless classic that continues to resonate today. Its message of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity is as relevant today as it was in the 1960s. "A Change Is Gonna Come" speaks to the struggle for racial equality and the hope for a better future despite the difficulties of the present. The song is a powerful expression of perseverance in the face of adversity and the belief in the power of collective action to effect change, a message that was inspired by the same desire for equality as students and activists who engaged in Sit-ins and went on freedom rides. These group instances of civil disobedience for the purpose of achieving change are direct examples of the change that as Sam Cooke said was “A long time coming, but I know A change gon' come Oh yes, it …show more content…

James Brown's "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud" is a powerful anthem for black empowerment that was released in 1968, during a time of great frustration in the United States. Some Black Americans, tired of discrimination and the assassination of black leaders took to the streets. Between 1964 and 1968, there were 329 riots in 257 cities across the nation. This is referenced in the song by the lyric “Some people say we got a lot of malice, Some say it's a lotta nerve, But I say we won't quit moving, Until we get what we deserve”. The song also gave me feelings of affirmation with me in its powerful chorus, which encourages black Americans to be proud of their identity and heritage. “Say it loud (I'm Black and I'm proud), Say it loud (I'm Black and I'm proud), One more time, say it loud (I'm Black and I'm proud)”. The song was inspired by Brown's own experiences of discrimination, racism, and his own witnessing of division in the black community. His hit record became an anthem for the black power movement. Black Power refers to the political ideology that African Americans have the power to unite as a political force and create their own institutions and economic resources independent of white people. "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud" is a powerful song that celebrates black identity and empowerment. The song is a powerful reminder of the struggles that black Americans

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