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15 Songs Inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr.

It was perhaps the greatest hit of the '60s -- not 'She Loves You' or 'Blowin' in the Wind' but the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 1963 speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial: "I Have a Dream." In observation of the slain civil rights leader's national holiday, here's a suggested playlist fit for a King.

CommonCommon feat. Will.i.am, 'A Dream' (2006)

The conscious rapper's contribution to the 'Freedom Writers' soundtrack samples MLK's most famous oration. Check the video, which plays out like an A/V history lesson in an empty classroom.

Watch Common's 'A Dream' Video







DionDion, 'Abraham, Martin & John' (1968)

Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles also recorded versions of the Wanderer's orchestral folk tune, a tribute to the casualties of America's conscience.

Watch Dion Perform 'Abraham, Martin & John'








UB40UB40, 'King' (1980)

It just so happens that this long-running reggae group is from Birmingham – not Alabama, where King was infamously imprisoned, but Birmingham, England. The multiracial act's first single was a lament for Dr. King; the flip side, 'Food for Thought,' was about famine in Africa.

Watch UB40 Perform 'King'





Patty GriffinPatty Griffin, 'Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)' (1980)

Inspired by King's moving "Mountaintop" speech, Griffin's enduring folk spiritual has been covered by Susan Boyle, soul survivor Solomon Burke and, on an episode of 'Idol Gives Back,' by Kelly Clarkson, with Jeff Beck on guitar.

Watch Patty Griffin Perform 'Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)'




Kris KristoffersonKris Kristofferson, 'They Killed Him' (1985)

Country music's Rhodes scholar included verses on Gandhi, Christ and Dr. King on this tribute, later covered by old pal Bob Dylan. King's mistake? "Just another holy man who dared to be a friend."

Watch Kris Kristofferson Perform 'They Killed Him'






QueenQueen, 'One Vision' (1985)

Probably the only King-inspired song that begins with backward-masked vocals. Definitely the only one that ends with the words "fried chicken."

Watch Queen's 'One Vision' Video








U2U2, 'Pride (In the Name of Love)' (1984)

"Early morning, April 4/Shot rings out in the Memphis sky." OK, maybe it was early morning in Ireland at the time King was shot, but who's quibbling? At least Bono's heart (if not his wristwatch) was in the right place when he wrote this anthemic tribute.

Watch U2's 'Pride (In the Name of Love)' Video





Stevie WonderStevie Wonder, 'Happy Birthday' (1981)

Not the genius's best work but maybe his most important: When politicians like Reagan and McCain opposed a national holiday honoring Dr. King, Stevie wrote a song that basically asked, "Are you serious?" He headlined the first official MLK Day, in 1986.

Watch Stevie Wonder Perform 'Happy Birthday'





Ben HarperBen Harper, 'Like a King' (1994)

On his debut, the singer lamented the fate of two different Kings: "Martin's dream has become Rodney's worst nightmare."

Watch Ben Harper Perform 'Like a King'









James TaylorJames Taylor, 'Shed a Little Light' (1993)

Pop gospel tribute from another master of brotherly sentiment. "Can't get no light from a dollar bill" – Dr. King himself might've built a great speech around that.

Watch James Taylor 'Shed a Little Light'








Jerry MooreJerry Moore, 'Ballad of Birmingham' (1967)

This obscure folk masterpiece, adapted from a 1963 poem by Dudley Randall, imagines one of the young girls killed in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham in September of '63. It'll drop you to your knees. Look no further for the kind of injustice that drove Dr. King.







Maceo ParkerMaceo and the Macks, 'Soul Power' (1988)

The instrumental version of this James Brown-created groove, credited to longtime sideman Maceo Parker, features a healthy sampling of Dr. King's "Mountaintop" speech and some out-of-sight saxophone wailing by the session leader.








Mason JenningsMason Jennings, 'Dr. King' (2000)

On his second album, which also includes a song called 'Black Panther,' this Minneapolis-based songwriter featured a lovely ode to the good Doctor, who died seven years before Jennings was born.









Otis SpannOtis Spann, 'Blues for Martin Luther King' (1968)

The Chicago blues pianist reportedly wrote this affecting dirge upon hearing the news of Dr. King's assassination, playing a scheduled gig that night with Muddy Waters. The blues were soon for Spann himself, who died two years later at age 40.







Bruce SpringsteenBruce Springsteen, 'We Shall Overcome' (2006)

Invoked often by Dr. King, the phrase 'We Shall Overcome' was on the tips of the tongues of every civil rights crusader in the 1960s, with folk advocates including Pete Seeger and Joan Baez leading massive singalongs. The Boss resurrected the song for his 2006 Seeger tribute, which helped put the old-timer on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for Obama's inauguration.

Watch Bruce Springsteen Perform 'We Shall Overcome'


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david gedalecia

The original recording of Otis Spann's "Tribute to Martin Luther King," with lyrics by Muddy Waters, was done within a week of Dr. King's assassination in April, 1968 and was released on a 45 RPM record on the Cry label in Chicago, with a blues tribute by Big Joe Williams on the other side. It was recorded in a studio in downtown Boston, and the lyrics were penned by Muddy Waters, who was holding the sheet of paper on which he'd written them before the recording. I know this because I A&R-ed the session.

May 05 2010 at 9:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
leonna

America we have to respect this man he was aswosome.I wish i could of lived those day with rose aparks and MLK i would have done the same thing. We would be slaves life would be horrible with them out there I am glad that they stode up for us and i go to chruch and i love god and i am glad that he made them I really am.R you????...........Not finshed........

January 25 2010 at 8:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Katie

How could the overlook Nina Simone - Why? (The King Of Love Is Dead)???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Uy8cyVWU2A

January 20 2010 at 1:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
D'Juana Jones

If that is true,you didn't learn the first time it was said nor written. So try again until you get it!Try JESUS too!

January 19 2010 at 2:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
D'Juana Jones

True Americans realize they live in a global community, not under a rock or in a cave such as yourself! Try JESUS!

January 19 2010 at 2:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
SR

I watched the movies yesterday "King" and "Medger Evers"and I was sickened at the treatment received by blacks. Anytime someone is murdered because they simply want to be considered human is atrocious. This is not political. I pray for those victimized that the pain someday be eased through generational restoration. I also pray for the perpetrators and those that even today stand with them that God will have mercy upon their souls.

January 19 2010 at 1:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kendra

First of all I would like to say that I had the priveledge to go back and re-investigate MLK'S murder and I beleive it was Tim that said that he had a connection with the FBI indeed he did but not the connection you are talking about the FBI was out to get him because they felt that he was a threat to the "White community" because he actually had blacks standing up to the "white man" and fighting back and they didn't like that so they called the mayor of mephis and had Dr. King setup learn your facts sweetie, most of you people are on here talking about stuff you don't know and of course a white teacher or person taught you this and now you are running with it as if you have lucked up on a new found treasure and that's not the case. I bet half of you on here don't have an education and have some type of black relative in your family whether it was by choice or not. And half of you wouldn't say the things that are spewing out of your mouth to a black person or any minority that has black in them because you wouldn't be able to take the ass whoopin that they would be ready to give you instead you would call the cops like you always do and shit bricks and hope to god that they wouldn't beat you until you were unrecognizable!!!

January 19 2010 at 10:33 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bobjimflys

We can only pray that we live a life that is good. That we treat other people the way they want to be treated. I am sure we will not live long enough before the truth is know. The Assassination of John Kennedy will not be shared until 2063. Long after you and I are gone. Is it right, no, can we change it? no, If there is something we could do I would love to pursue it. Good Luck in life, remember it is better to love, than it is to not love. Thank you Bob

January 19 2010 at 12:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bobjimflys

Dr. Martin Luther King was a great man with Grand ideas. I still remember when I heard of him be Assassinated. I was young and did not know how significant this was at the time. May God Bless his Soul and his family, and may he dwell in the house of the Lord Forever... Amen

January 19 2010 at 12:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Clara T.

I am 63 and I have lived thru the Kennedy's and MLKs murders, I wonder if our government had something to do with their deaths. I am a white female and was taught we are all God's children. We all have the same colored blood. I do not understand racism.

January 18 2010 at 10:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply