Three Classic Folk Songs That Amplified Youth Voices During the Social Movements of the 1960s

During the 1960s, a time in which rebellion and counterculture triggered impactful social movements, folk music was mobilized as a powerful tool for activism. Through simple melodies and provoking lyrics, songs united a range of audiences with diverse cultural and educational backgrounds in a shared vision for a better world. Here are three classic folk songs that played a significant role in shaping this decade’s social landscape:

“We Shall Overcome” by Various Artists

While the original author/composer(s) of this iconic song are up for speculation, it was introduced to Martin Luther King Jr. by folk revival father Pete Seeger in 1957. Because of its memorable tone and essence, it proved easy to perform at sit-ins, marches, and rallies. “We Shall Overcome” was solidified as the anthem of the US Civil Rights Movement after Joan Baez’s recital of the song at the Lincoln Memorial during the August 1963 March on Washington. It was further dignified in former President Lyndon B. Johnson’s speech to Congress in the hearing for the Civil Rights Act of 1964, of which he stated: “These are the enemies: poverty, ignorance, disease. They are the enemies and not our fellow man, not our neighbor. And these enemies too, poverty, disease and ignorance, we shall overcome (Johnson, 1964).”

“Blowin’ in the Wind” by Various Artists

Originally written in 1962 by Bob Dylan, the themes embedded within the lyrics of this track have allowed it to be a representation of several of the political issues experienced in the 1960s and beyond. The song’s lines coincide with the Civil Rights Movement and Anti-War protests of the decade through direct address of the oppression and violence. Within the writer’s intricate symbolism, the solution for these issues exists all around us but is perpetually out of reach. “Blowin’ in the Wind” was famously performed by the likes of Joan Baez, Sam Cooke, and Dylan, but gained widespread popularity through Peter, Paul and Mary’s cover released in 1963.

“A Change is Gonna Come” written and performed by Sam Cooke

Argued by Rolling Stone (and yours truly) to be one of the greatest songs of all time, rumor has it that singer Sam Cooke was afraid to record “A Change is Gonna Come.” The track departed strongly from his former No. 1 hit “You Send Me,” but acted as a convergence between Cooke’s unique sound and rich history with gospel. While most of Cooke’s audience rejected the immediate release of the record, activists of the Civil Rights Movement embraced it with open arms and the rest was history. 

The enduring power of these folk songs lies in their connection to America’s musical heritage.  During the early centuries of the United States, slaves used singing in times of spiritual support, as a documentation of experiences, and even as a covert means of communication. By tapping into cultural memories such as these, the fluid power of song mobilized a generation of activists. Their legacy resides in the voices of today, reminding us of music’s ability to articulate shared aspirations for social change.