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About This Track
A Change Is Gonna Come is a 1964 single by R&B singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, written and first recorded in 1963 and released under the RCA Victor label shortly after his death in late 1964. Though only a modest hit for Cooke in comparison with his previous singles, the song came to exemplify the sixties Civil Rights Movement. The song has gained in popularity and critical acclaim in the decades since its release.
Origins
Cooke was greatly moved upon hearing Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” in 1963 and was reportedly in awe that such a poignant song about racism in America could come from someone who was white. While on tour in May 1963, and after speaking with sit-in demonstrators in Durham, North Carolina following a concert, Cooke returned to his tour bus and wrote the first draft of what would become “A Change Is Gonna Come.”
In a sense, “A Change Is Gonna Come” is an answer to Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind”, as well as a song of hope for the Civil Rights Movement. The hypothetical questions posed by Dylan, most obvious being “how many years can some people exist, before they’re allowed to be free?”, were answered by an implied “Fewer than you think.” Though Cooke recognized “it’s been a long/a long time coming”, the song states that change is inevitable. A similar sentiment was echoed by Dylan in “The Times They Are A-Changin’”, written and released after “A Change Is Gonna Come.” The song also reflected much of Cooke’s own inner turmoil.
Origins
Cooke was greatly moved upon hearing Bob Dylan’s “
Blowin’ in the Wind” in 1963 and was reportedly in awe that such a poignant song about racism in America could come from someone who was white. While on tour in May 1963, and after speaking with sit-in demonstrators in Durham, North Carolina following a concert, Cooke returned to his tour bus and wrote the first draft of what would become “A Change Is Gonna Come.”In a sense, “A Change Is Gonna Come” is an answer to Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind”, as well as a song of hope for the Civil Rights Movement. The hypothetical questions posed by Dylan, most obvious being “how many years can some people exist, before they’re allowed to be free?”, were answered by an implied “Fewer than you think.” Though Cooke recognized “it’s been a long/a long time coming”, the song states that change is inevitable. A similar sentiment was echoed by Dylan in “The Times They Are A-Changin’”, written and released after “A Change Is Gonna Come.” The song also reflected much of Cooke’s own inner turmoil.
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Albums featuring this track
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The Man and His Music
Sam Cooke
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Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964
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Portrait of a Legend
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Shouts
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Pellkoppf wrote:
★ ღ ♫ ღ ★
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AeroTamara wrote:
one of a kind...
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linzi76 wrote:
Love, Love, Love This song sooo much xx
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gendervariant wrote:
One of the most emotionally powerful songs ever recorded.[2]
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BobDylansWig wrote:
A song for those who give a shit...
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eyefrommars wrote:
Death is a young smiling girl
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kidnapjesus wrote:
"Its been too hard living,but Im afraid to die......Cause I dont know whats up there beyond the sky...."♥ Heart strings♥
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sari_kirsty wrote:
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 gonna come, oh yes it will
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MCIS wrote:
One of the most emotionally powerful songs ever recorded. His voice pierces through you like nothing.
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goboywonder wrote:
Thanks for that info, I didn't know it was released after his death. It's a very sobering song and Sam Cooke is matchless.
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johnnygoyen wrote:
this was one of Sam's most loved songs. Released shortly after his deah December 11, 1964. This song reached #9 on the Soul charts in early 1965.
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KeithJones wrote:
Brilliant song!
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youmeandennui wrote:
how is it possible to sound so piercing yet delicate simultaneously.
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tvzfam wrote:
personal and politicial
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staklee2002mj wrote:
one of the first political songs he wrote excellent
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mattdh12 wrote:
didnt like this on the first listen. or the second. but the third time had me listening around another 20 times just now.
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teledown wrote:
Gone too soon, song too short long
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luckyteeter wrote:
the way it should be sung
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clicea wrote:
great
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demo-crassy wrote:
Absolutely superb song
Track Stats
636,865 Scrobbles
169,159 Listeners
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Recent Activity
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NATIVEPANTHER, rmlocash, Elantari and 1 other person loved Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come. 5 hours ago
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DRcaffineCircus added A Change Is Gonna Come to DRcaffineCircus’s library. yesterday evening
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Fraliv, DashaFrid, atraverso and 8 other people loved Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come. yesterday evening
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