Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History Music
Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History season 1 poster

Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History season 1 episode 1 soundtrack

The Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., 19 songs

Explore the music that kept the spirit of the civil rights movement alive following King’s death–from James Brown’s black power anthem, “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)” to Kendrick Lamar’s searing protest song, “Alright,” inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement.

  • Under Pressure — Queen & David Bowie
    Official Trailer, first song.
  • War — Edwin Starr
    Official Trailer, second song.
  • Major Tom — Peter Schilling
    Official Trailer, third song.
  • Fight The Power — Public Enemy
    Official Trailer, fourth song.
  • New York State of Mind — Billy Joel
    Official Trailer, fifth song.
  • Gospel — The Chevin
    Opening sequence/Title Card.
  • Why? (The King of Love Is Dead) — Nina Simone
    [Live Version] Nina Simone performs, dedicated to Dr MLK
  • Mississippi Goddam — Nina Simone
    [Live Version] Nina Simone performs through to 1st commercial break
  • We Shall Overcome — Peter, Paul & Mary
    [Live Acoustic Version] While being interviewed, crowd sings.
  • Woke Up This Morning — SNCC Freedom Singers
    [Live Version]
  • Keep Your Eyes On The Prize (traditional) — CAST PERFORMANCE
    [Live Version] Crowd sings.
  • If I Had a Hammer — Peter, Paul & Mary
    [Live Version] PP&M perform onstage in 1965
  • People Get Ready — Aretha Franklin
    Footage of Aretha singing as people are interviewed about her
  • Say It Loud - I'm Black And I'm Proud - Pt. 1 — James Brown
    Just after footage of the Black Panthers and plays through to the next commercial break
  • Living for the City — Stevie Wonder
    [Live Version] Stevie Wonder performs just as they start to talk about Berry Gordy's Motown records
  • Happy Birthday — Stevie Wonder
    [Live Version] Stevie Wonder sings as he is giving a speech on the Mall in Washington DC fighting for the ratification of MKL Day as a national holiday. Plays through to next commercial break
  • A Change Is Gonna Come — Sam Cooke
    Just after Barack Obama gives a speech and continues through to next commercial break
  • Alright — Kendrick Lamar
    Just after Jesse Jackson arrives in Ferguson, MO and music video footage plays
  • Don't Need Me — James Hersey & narou
Season 1 Episode 2
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