Election Day is quickly upon us and it’s time for you to make a choice!!! While we wouldn’t consider ourselves to be a political site per se, we are a site that uses the power of music to inspire positive change. In the midst of numerous concerns and issues on the ballot, we encourage you – no matter your choice – to stroll to the poll and make your voice heard!! Here are a few songs to get you inspired to do so!!!

“Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” – Marvin Gaye

What I love about “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” is two-fold. On one hand, the synergy between the bass line, drums and Marvin Gaye’s use of falsetto creates a mental picture of the inner city. One the other hand, the lyrics beautifully narrate the agonizing landscape that he perceives. This brilliant piece was released in 1971. During this time, President Nixon was in office, the Vietnam War was still in process, the economy was in a deficit due to war cost, racial tensions were high, and men like MLK, JFK, Malcolm X and Robert Kennedy were all assassinated.

Crime is increasing

Trigger happy policing

Panic is spreading

God knows where we’re heading

“Get Up, Stand Up” – Bob Marley

I don’t think you can sit idly on the sideline and listen to Bob Marley and Peter Tosh’s “Get Up, Stand Up” at the same time. I really think it’s an impossible thing. While Marley is greatly known for the popularization of the Rastafari Movement which influenced his artistry, this reggae hit was born out of frustrated conditions he witnessed on a trip to Haiti.  For this upcoming election it’s important to understand, you’re not just standing to vote, you’re standing up for your rights!

You can fool some people sometimes,

But you can’t fool all the people all the time.

And now you see the light (what you gonna do?),

Stand up for our rights!

“Fight the Power” – Public Enemy

Ironically from the Spike Lee motion picture, “Do the Right Thing”, “Fight the Power” was a song that came from the “golden age” of hip hop.  Carrying the struggle for awareness and revolution of the early hip hop era, Public Enemy also holds a baton from the funk and brawl of James Brown’s grit. Once again the lyrical content speaks volumes and admonishes you to defend and fight!

Our freedom of speech is freedom or death

We got to fight the powers that be

“Respect” – Aretha Franklin

I know this was your jam back in 1967 and very much the signature song of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin but did you also know it was also a song adopted by the feminist movement? It was a call for confident, self-assured women to stand together and fight for warranted “respect” that was freely given to men due to their gender. So in this coming election, which candidate will respect the things that are most important to you?

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Find out what it means to me

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Take care, TCB

“A Change Is Gonna Come” – Sam Cooke

 

This song undeniably captures your soul with the soaring violins, the soulful voice of Sam Cooke and the thunderous horns and drums throughout the composition. Released in 1965, “A Change Is Gonna Come” was a humble hit for Cooke in comparison to his prior hits. However, its meaning and significance carried a longer life due to its association with the Civil Rights Movement.  This song carries not only the racial struggles that existed in the 60’s but also his personal struggles in suddenly losing his son. As this piece plays, I want to say one last thing. No matter who is chosen, “a change is gonna come”. The real question remains, “will you initiate change with your vote, or will change initiate you without it? It’s your choice. Chose wisely!

 

Oh there been times that I thought I couldn’t last for long

But now I think I’m able to carry on

It’s been a long, a long time coming

But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

Aretha Franklin Bob Marley Election James Brown Marvin Gaye Sam Cooke Public Enemy Vote