BLACK SONGS MATTER #80-71. Continues tomorrow.

A Caffè Lattè tribute…

 

BLACK

SONGS

MATTER

Some remain iconic; some were a call to arms; while others imagined a world where prejudice and injustice ceased to exist. Here are 100 songs by black voices that are the soundtrack to the struggle that continues to this day for equality, respect and dignity. They serve to carry the message that Black Lives Matter.  

80

CHOCOLATE CITY

Parliament

Social commentary delivered in a humourous way best describes the positive message conveyed in “Chocolate City”, the title track from Parliament’s 1975 album.

 

79

GHETTO CHILD

The Spinners

Philly Soul took on the issues of African- Americans with songs such as “Ghetto Child”. The Spinners’ approach was more strings than stings on this 1973 single written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed.

 

78

BALL OF CONFUSION

(THAT’S WHAT THE WORLD IS TODAY)

The Temptations

Released in 1970, “Ball Of Confusion” dealt with social commentary before Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’ album. The single was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong. Dennis Edwards sings lead vocals. The Temptations describe the issues of the day while repeating the line “…and the band played on”.

 

77

DON’T CALL ME NIGGER, WHITEY

Sly & The Family Stone

Sly Stone penned “Don’t Call Me Nigger, Whitey”. The song was included on the Sly & The Family Stand’s 1969 ‘Stand’ album. It addresses racism, mixed with a large dose of funk.

 

76

STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON

N.W.A.

The title track from one of the first West Coast rap albums that mattered offers a glimpse of life in Compton, in southern Los Angeles, California. ‘Straight Outta Compton’ was unleashed in 1988.

 

75

AM I BLACK ENOUGH FOR YOU

Billy Paul

An underrated black consciousness anthem written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff that was released as a single in 1973.

 

74

CONVERSATION PEACE

Stevie Wonder

The title track from Stevie Wonder’s 1995 album pleads for peace as the only way to resolve the planet’s problems. He refers to the Holocaust and slavery in the lyrics.

 

73

UNGENA ZA ULIMWENGU

(UNITE THE WORLD) / FRIENDSHIP TRAIN

The Undisputed Truth

While psychedelic soul was prominent on radio and the charts, the Motown group The Undisputed Truth released “Ungena Za Ulimwengu”as a medley with “Friendship Train” (previously a hit for Gladys Knight & The Pips). Norman Whitfield created the songs with Barrett Strong. It was included on the group’s 1972 album ‘Face To Face With The Truth’.

 

72

TREATY

Yothu Yindi

Australia’s indigenous people have also struggled for recognition and equality. Aboriginal citizens weren’t able to vote in federal elections until 1967. Sadly, in 2020 protests still demanded reforms to the way the police deal with First Nation individuals due to black deaths in custody.

 

71

I’LL TAKE YOU THERE

The Staple Singers

Stax producer Al Bell had lost his third sibling due to a shooting. He created “I’ll Take You There” with its spiritual message of hope and a better place. The lyrics resonated and gave The Staple Singers a US #1 hit in 1972.