Soul Music

The song was written by Sam Cooke in support of the Civil Rights Movement. Cooke had heard and was impressed by Bob Dylan’s song “Blowin’ in the Wind” and wanted to write something along those lines. At the time, Cooke was also mourning the death of his 18-month-old son Vincent, who drowned in a swimming pool in 1963. Some of Cooke’s songs became more introspective and serious. As an African-American, Cooke had endured his share of prejudice. There was an incident where he and some of his friends were denied rooms at a hotel in Shreveport, Louisiana, because of their skin color, and were subsequently arrested for disturbing the peace.

“A Change is Gonna Come” was first released on Cooke’s 1964 album Ain’t That Good News. It was his thirteenth and final studio album. The song was released as a single shortly after Cooke’s death. In 1964, the song went to #31 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on the R&B chart. It became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement and is preserved in the Library of Congress with the National Recording Registry, which contains songs that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically important.”

Cooke’s death in December, 1964, at the age of 33 was one of those strange celebrity deaths. He was shot by the manager of the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles. It was ruled that the manager acted in self-defense, as Cooke was “distressed.” However, Cooke owned his own label and publishing company and it might have been part of a plot. Over the years, many details have been questioned.

Here are the lyrics to “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke:

I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh, and just like the river I’ve been running ever since

It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gon’ come, oh yes it will

It’s been too hard living, but I’m afraid to die
‘Cause I don’t know what’s up there beyond the sky

It’s been a long, a long time comin’
But I know a change gon’ come, oh yes it will

I go to the movie and I go down town
Somebody keep telling me don’t hang around

It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gon’ come, oh yes it will

Then I go to my brother
And I say, “Brother, help me please.”
But he winds up knockin’ me
Back down on my knees

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 gon’ come, oh yes it will

For another song by Sam Cooke: “Ain’t That Good News.” These songs by Sam Cooke are on Pass the Paisley’s sister site The Daily Doo Wop: “Another Saturday Night,” “Chain Gang,” “Cupid,” “Wonderful World,” and “Sad Mood.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’.