Spinner

The 25 Most Exquisitely Sad Songs in the Whole World: No. 22

'A Change Is Gonna Come'
Sam Cooke (1964)

The Breakdown: Recorded just before his tragic death, the soul great's response to 'Blowin' in the Wind' set the tone for the desperate Civil Rights struggle.

The Waterworks: "It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die."

Casualty Count: Countless proud citizens in Jim Crow America.

All Sad Songs

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Travis

Did they pick this because he died soon thereafter?

April 13 2010 at 4:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
BUCKWHEAT

I KNOW THE GUY'S DEAD AND ALL BUT ... THIS SONG SUCKS.

February 17 2010 at 4:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nora

i always loved Sam Cooke growing up in ireland i would hear my mom singing his songs and she had fantastic voice .and i loed the songs now here in the usa,my oldest daughter loves Etta James and my younger daughter loves to copy Louis Armstrong ,they get the true feelings of the songs .and i;am happy for that i love A change is gonna come .he had such passion in that you can feel it going through you when he sings it.

February 11 2010 at 9:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
samuel

Ever since I found this song 2 years ago, I just love it. It has just the healing power that moved my heart everytimes.

January 15 2010 at 2:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
judy ellis

SAM COOKE WAS THE QUINESSENTIAL STORY TELLER, BEAUTIFUL SEERING VOICE: I FELL IN LOVE WITH HIS MUSIC IN 1957, ALONG WITH ETTA JAMES, ANOTHER INCREDIBLE TALENT.I WAS A 13 YRS OLD WHITE GIRL GROWING UP IN OKC WHO KNEW THEN THAT SAM COOKE WOULD BE FOREVER MY HERO!

January 03 2010 at 2:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dennis johnson

amazing,heroic,and something everyone has felt in their life

December 26 2009 at 5:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sinelmiq

great song,a great guy

December 17 2009 at 2:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ali

This is a great song in two ways. This gave hope in time of turmoil. This is also the only song that my nine month old quiets down to in a heartbeat. This indeed has given hope to my little one also.

November 20 2009 at 9:52 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ed Chapman

Best thing Sam ever did and everything he did was great

October 12 2009 at 10:07 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Gerry

This song gives me hope with tears in my eyes

August 23 2009 at 1:39 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply