Timeline of American songs

1619 - 1875

Slavery

Slavery

The first slaves were twenty slaves, arrived in America in 1619. In the 18th century, 6 to 7 million slaves were imported to the New World. The slaves were African. The slaves had to work in very difficult condition, in cotton fields, in mines of coal, etc. The slavery was abolished in 1863 by the president Abraham Lincoln. The slaves sang work song for encouraged.

1619

Go down Moses and let my people go

The song “Go down Moses and let my people go” is a folk song. This song was created by African-American slaves in 1619, and it was sung in the South of America by slaves. The lyrics were inspired by the Old Testament of the Bible. In 1958, Louis Armstrong (picture) recorded “Go down Moses and let my people go” therefore this song became famous. Nowadays, a lot of artists perform this song, in particular gospel singers.

1877 - 1964

Segregation

Segregation

Segregation is the practice of requiring separate housing, education and other services for people of color. Segregation was made law several times in 18th- and 19th-century America, as some believed that Black and white people were incapable of coexisting.

1889

"Lift every voice and sing"

“Lift every voice and sing” is a blues and gospel song. The song was written as a poem by J.W. Johnson and J.R. Johnson to celebrated Lincoln’s birthday in 1900. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was performed for the first time with 500 school children at the Stanton School in Jacksonville, Florida. However, “Lift every voice and sing” was sung by Kelly Williams during the Civil Rights Movement like a rallying cry in the 1960s. This song protest against racism.

1931

"Which side are you on"

“Which side are you on” is a folk song. This song was written in 1931 by activist Florence Reece (picture). The song concerns, Kentucky, and it's a song about the revolt of the Harlan County. The miners were revolted on account of the drop of their salary. The condition of the miners was improved by this music. Moreover, became The song became the union's most important anthem.

1939

"Strange Fruit"

“Strange fruit” come from a poem who was written and published by Abel Meeropol in 1937. However, this song became famous after Billie (picture) Holiday's show in 1939. The song is about hanging during the 1930s and 1940s, the black people were lynched and hanged in the Southern during the segregation. This song protests against racism, against African-American people.

1947

"We shall overcome"

“We shall overcome” is a gospel song. This song was written by Charles Albert Tindley and published in 1900. The first to sing this song were workers in a tobacco shop during a strike, in 1945. The African American community was supported by the song “We shall overcome”, who was a symbol during the civil rights movement in the 1960s. This song demanded equality between everyone and protest against racial segregation.

1964

"The times are A-Changin"

This song "The Times are A-Changin" was composed by Bob Dylan in 1964. That song became a song about change. The singer is protesting against wars, slavery, and poverty. However, he supports the civil rights. Bob Dylan reproaches the USA for its participation in the Vietnam War.

1967

Respect

“Respect” is of soul song. The song was performed by Aretha Franklin (picture). The singer mentions, in this song, gender roles in a relationship. She is demanding respect of men. The women didn't have a lot of right. Aretha Franklin, protesting against inequality between women and men. “Respect” also have supported, peace and civil rights.

1971

Imagine

“Imagine” is from Soft Rock and Ballad, performed by John Lennon (picture). John Lennon’s “Imagine” coming out in the middle of the Vietnam War period (1971). John Lennon sang many songs protesting. He wanted a world of peace.

1989

Fight the power

“Fight the power” was some kind of hip-hop song. The song The Public Enemy was published in 1989 after the end of the Cold War. The Public Enemy are protesting for equal rights and freedom of expression with their music, “Fight the Power”. “Fight the Power” protesting against racism as well.

21th century

21th Century

Nowadays, a lot of artists still are protesting through their song. For example, Eminem's “Mosh” and Green Day's “American idiot”(2004) protesting against the decisions of George Bush. In particular, the fact his country is involved in the Iraq War. There is also some song who mentions police brutality and "Black Lives Matter".By way of illustration, Beyonce's "Formation"(2016) or else Rafa Pabón who released the protest song "Sin Aire"(2020)(Without Air), in response to the murder of G. Floyd.