Music holds the power of culturally and emotionally influencing society. Since the beginning of time, music allows people to connect with sounds and messages with a deeper meaning, as we become influenced by the music we listen to. Certain songs affects our emotions, as upbeat energetic songs make us get up and dance, where a sad song might put you in your feels. Yet, not only does music have the power to change a mood, but also entire societies as the music people listen to can shift the atmosphere and change the behaviors within.
Given this, music has been used in many social movements throughout time. More specifically, during the 1950’s and 1960’s, music was pushing for the equality between white and black successful singers. During the Civil Rights Movement, famous white singers like Bob Dylan had become a staple name for the movement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90WD_ats6eE The Times They Are A-Changin’ by Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan released this song in January of 1964, that became the anthem that the frustrated youth played during these times, as many of the lyrics in the song are based on the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. This song in particular helped many people, especially ‘hippies’ feel better about what was going on around them, with a sense of peace that times are changing for the better. The fast paced tempo on the acoustic guitar that Bob Dylan plays pairs so well with his voice as his message for influencing the times helped so many people.
Freedom songs from the church or with strong messages became very popular as it started to give people a sense of being apart of a community and its entire behavior. In efforts to succeed, the relation between civil rights workers and the members of the community had to better. The director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, named Andrew Young, states, “They often brought in singing groups to movement friendly churches as a first step in their efforts…They knew how little chance they stood of gaining people’s trust if they presented themselves as straight out organizers: people were too afraid to respond to that approach. So they organized gospel groups and hit the road”
The most well known gospel group became The Staple Singers. During the height of the Civil Rights Movement, this group put their religious messages in their music to broaden the community during the societal upheaval. One of their most influential songs known as I’ll Take You There,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY3vgBzgYn4 – I’ll Take You There by The Staple Singers
The Staple Singers came out with this hit single in 1972, shortly after things were falling together in society. As this song is a religious song, it was relatable to so many Americans as they never mention any particular ‘God’ or certain beliefs. The main message through this song is imaging a place and time where things are better, while giving the audience that faith.
Reese, Andrew. “How Can Music Inspire Social Change?” Facing Today – A Facing History Blog, 2007, facingtoday.facinghistory.org/how-can-music-inspire-social-change.
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