MLK Song

Album: Livin' on a High Note (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This tribute to Martin Luther King was written by Livin' on a High Note producer M. Ward. The recording of it was an emotional experience for Mavis Staples. She recalled to Uncut: "I got so wrapped up in that I almost didn't finish it. The first time I choked up and started to cry, as I could see Dr. Martin Luther King as I was singing. It just hit me and I almost broke down. But I held it together and I finished, and then I broke down: you have to take your heart into the studio."
  • The Staple Singers were very much involved in the Civil Rights movement. Mavis Staples recalled their time with Martin Luther King to Mojo: "He was a great man and I cherish the time we had with him. Pops said, 'If he can preach it, we can sing it.' Pops then wrote Freedom Highway and we joined the movement.

    When we sang, we thought we could change the world. When we marched with Dr. King and sung 'Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round,' we felt so very positive. Dr. King was a very serious man, but when he laughed, which he didn't do often, it felt so very good to hear."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Kristian Bush of Sugarland

Kristian Bush of SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Kristian talks songwriting technique, like how the chorus should redefine the story, and how to write a song backwards.

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Gary Numan

Gary NumanSongwriter Interviews

An Electronic music pioneer with Asperger's Syndrome. This could be interesting.

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")Song Writing

Wes Edwards takes us behind the scenes of videos he shot for Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley and Chase Bryant. The train was real - the airplane was not.