Song Playlist: the Civil Rights Movement and #blacklivesmatter

updated October 20, 2020

Continuing the series of playlists on mindfulness, compassion, and values-based teaching, here's a selection of songs that inspired and are inspired by the civil rights movement and the movement for black lives.

As always, please watch the full video and listen to or read the full lyrics before deciding what's appropriate for your own classroom. (Think about the age and background of your students, and how they might react to certain words and images.)

At the end of the post, I've included links to more playlists and teaching resources about the music of the civil rights movement.

Breathe; india.arie

official video
lyrics

Better Than We Found It, Maren Morris
lyrics; official video (ends with a message to her baby son about the kind of role model she wants to be for him)

A Change is Gonna Come, Sam Cooke

live performance by Jennifer Hudson
Sam Cooke official lyric video
lyrics

Dear Hate, Maren Morris (feat. Vince Gill)

audio; lyrics

Eyes on the Prize, Mavis Staples

audio + album cover

lyrics

FIGHT!, Wyatt Wadeell 
official video
lyrics

From the Plantation to the Penitentiary, Wynton Marsalis 
recording with album cover
instrumental

The Freedom Rider, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
audio with album cover
instrumental

2020 Riots: How Many Times, Trey Songz
official video
lyrics

I Can't Breathe, Dietrick Haddon
official video
lyrics

I Can't Breathe, H.E.R 
official video
audio (on youtube)
lyrics

I Can't Breathe, Maino
official video

I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel to Be Free), Nina Simone 
audio with album cover
lyrics

Lift Every Voice and Sing
a cappella version by Committed
instrumental version by black orchestral musicians
dance solo by Khalia Campbell of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

March on Selma, Blue Mitchell
video (audio + album cover)
instrumental

We Gotta Pray, Alicia Keys
official video
lyrics

Wake Up Everybody, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
audio + album cover
lyrics
video of John Legend and the Roots (ft. Melanie Fiona, Common)
video of Brandy, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, Wyclef Jean, and Ashanti 

We Shall Overcome

a cappella performance by the Aeolians from Oakton University
a cappella performance (Amen/We Shall Overcome) by Shades from Yale University
We Shall Overcome: Love Will Rise Again by Nimo Patel and Daniel Nahmod 

Here are a few good sources for more songs about the civil rights movement and the movement for black lives:

• 15 Top Civil Rights Songs That Promote Freedom and Justice from Black Enterprise
• Top Ten Civil Rights Songs from The Nation
• New Protest Anthems: Songs of the Uprising for George Floyd from Rolling Stone
• Songs Inspired by the Civil Rights Movement from NPR

Here are a few teaching resources on the importance of music in the Civil Rights Music:

• The Music of the Civil Rights Movement: lesson plan integrating music, history, and current events, from TeachRock.org

• The Inspiring Force of 'We Shall Overcome' from NPR
• Music in the Civil Rights Movement from the Library of Congress
• Songs and the Civil Rights Movement from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University
• Till Victory Is Won: The Staying Power Of 'Lift Every Voice And Sing' from NPR
• Soundtrack for a Revolution: 
• video with clips from the film and a discussion with the producer, Dylan Nelson;
• article with background on the film; and
• lyrics of the songs that inspired the civil rights movement. 

---

related posts

Case Studies in Microaggression, Empathy, and Mindful Speech

Change the World: Songs for Reflection and Discussion

Multilingual Playlist on Unity, Diversity, Peace and Tolerance

Resources for Teachers on Equality, Diversity, and Civil Rights

Thought-Provoking Videos About Empathy, Compassion, and Service