Musical Trailblazers– Sam Cooke: Racism in the U.S. Music Industry (Part 5/8)

In a bleak time of the Cold War and Civil Rights eras, there were musicians that became a beacon of light for the people that needed it. They pushed social boundaries and became activists, fighting for their beliefs and ultimately, changing the musical landscape of the period. First up, Sam Cooke.

Image: Rolling Stone

Even though the industry favored White, middle-class opinions, there were a few voices that pushed social boundaries and became representatives– and heroes– of the minority, such as Black people, women, and members of the working-class. Sam Cooke was a Black artist whose music was an accurate representation of policial music during the time of the Civil Rights movement, in that it served to counteract the despair around how slowly change was occurring (Dunaway, 187). His song “A Change is Gonna Come” depicted a racially segregated America with a hopeful tone regarding the future. In his lyrics, Cooke tackled the political issue of race in America, singing of the brother who knocked him back down on his knees. He repeated the story of a long fight between Black people and White people in power. Despite the longevity of the strenuous battle, he sang: “It’s been a long, it’s been a long time coming; but I know a change is gonna come” (Cooke). His music was impactful and achieved the goal of political music in this era– it provided people hope. It is important to note, however, that his lyrics did not exclude the deep rooted fears and solemnity of racism in America; he wrote: “it’s been too hard living but I’m afraid to die” (Cooke). Cooke captured the fear of being Black in the United States during the Civil Rights movement and highlighted the tension between strife and death. In many ways, his song provided a moment– short but nevertheless a moment– of triumph for activists during this era. He imprinted upon society and his audience a lasting cry of determination and hope.

Bibliography

Cooke, Sam. "A Change is Gonna Come." 1964.

Dunaway, David King. "Music and Politics in the United States." Folk Music Journal 5, no. 3 (1987): 268-94. Accessed May 19, 2021. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4522239.

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