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Sam Cooke Impact On Society

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Throughout history, music and society have always been conjointly related. Music has always had the principal potential to leave a massive impact on its audience. The role and power that musicians play in society is distinguishingly impressive. Through the concoction of strong lyrics, an amiable melody, and moving message, artists can use music to shape the world and mindsets of audiences everywhere. Many artists are aware of the grand impact they can make on the public and use their role in society to make a difference. Among these inimitable artists include Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke, Billie Holiday, and The Beatles Now that America has progressed into a nation with such a diverse range of musical talent and products, it’s difficult …show more content…

Sam Cooke, being a victim of the Civil Rights repercussions himself, personally advocated for African American equality. Joining the trend of using music as a form of civil protest in the Civil Rights Movement, Cooke peacefully channeled his protest through meaningful lyrics and melodies. Inspired by Bob Dylan’s “Blowin' In The Wind”, the first bold step Cook took in response to the civil rights opposition was the release of his song “A Change is Gonna Come”. This song became the ultimate anthem of the whole entire civil rights movement. The song encases Cooke’s hopeful tune and peaceful melody that perfectly showcases the peaceful protest that surrounded the civil rights movement. The risk of releasing this song was huge, Cooke knew that by producing “A Change is Gonna Come” “he risked alienating his audience but he also knew it was the greatest thing he'd ever written” (Observing Change: Sam Cooke and the Civil Rights Movement). This song alone transformed Sam Cooke into one of the most important activist writers at the time of the Civil Rights Movement, because of the song’s grand power. The adorned song inspired the creation of many other songs that soon grew to become other anthems of the Civil Rights Movement. Sam Cooke’s musical style and works essentially shaped the music industry, and the Civil Rights Movement along with it. He will forever be honored as a phenomenal artist, and his music will always be remembered as a critical part of the Civil Rights Movement. Artists like Sam Cooke coerced a surge of artists to join the fight for civil

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