of a soundtrack for a revolution
Soundtrack for a Revolution is an artistic project traditionally featuring songs, marches, and prayers associated with the civil rights movement of the mid-20th century in the United States This project is best known in its documentary film form, released in 2009, which details the struggles of the civil rights movement through a compilation of archival footage, interviews, and powerful musical performances. Several volumes of music have been released alongside the film, featuring carefully selected songs of the era, all chosen in order to build an emotionally powerful soundtrack to accompany the footage and further aid in understanding the movement and its participants.
The example soundtracks in the project and accompanying album(s) are aimed to inspire and evoke the many different types of emotion and dedication that fuelled this amazing movement. The five best examples of soundtracks for a revolution are:
1. “We Shall Overcome” – The song became the anthem of the civil rights movement and has been covered by many artists, including Bruce Springsteen and Pete Seeger.
2. “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around” – This song is an old spiritual that was often sung during civil rights marches, and was performed by Sweet Honey in the Rock for the soundtrack of Soundtrack for a Revolution.
3. “A Change Is Gonna Come” – Sam Cooke wrote and sang this song after being inspired by the civil rights movement. This version was performed by the Blind Boys of Alabama and included in the film’s soundtrack.
4. “This Little Light of Mine” – This anthem of the civil rights movement was often heard in marches, and this version was performed by the Soul Children of Chicago.
5. “Keep Your Eyes On The Prize” – This traditional spiritual was popularized during the civil rights movement, and this version was performed by the late Mavis Staples.