This Little Light Of Mine by The Seekers

Album: The Four & Only Seekers (1964)

License This Song

Songfacts®:

This traditional spiritual tune talks about the importance of unity in the face of adversity. It sings of the light in each individual and how, whether standing up alone or joining together, each little bit of light can break the darkness. The song has since been applied to many struggles, but was an anthem of the civil rights movement at the time. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Bertrand - Paris, France
Some of the artists to record this include Aretha Franklin, Son House, Brenda Lee, Raffi and Bruce Springsteen.
Christina Ricci sings this in the movie Black Snake Moan. Blues music and spirituals play a big part in the movie, and Ricci uses the song to comfort her boyfriend, played by Justin Timberlake.
In 2010 a hip-hop version by Manchester based quintet LZ7 became the first ever Christian-rap track to make the UK Top 40 under the title of "This Little Light." LZ7 are part of the work of the evangelical charity The Message Trust, which promotes the work of various groups who reach out to schoolchildren in the Manchester area. Their version was originally circulated in 2008 and after gradually gathering interest via YouTube a remixed version was recorded, which is the one that charted.

The LZ7 version also marked the first time this classic gospel children's song had ever entered the UK singles chart.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

More Songfacts:

Live ForeverOasis

The Oasis song "Live Forever" was written in response to "I Hate Myself And I Want To Die" by Nirvana. "Kids don't need to hear that nonsense," said Noel Gallagher.

Put Your Records OnCorinne Bailey Rae

Corinne Bailey Rae's 2006 hit "Put Your Records On" borrows the opening line ("Three little birds sat on my window") from the Bob Marley song "Three Little Birds." Both songs have the same message: Don't worry, because every little thing's going to be alright.

When I'm 64The Beatles

In The Beatles' "When I'm 64," Paul McCartney asks a woman if she'll still be there for him when he's 64. In 2006, he got his answer when shortly before his 64th birthday, he and Heather Mills separated.

Try AgainAaliyah

Until December 5, 1998, a song had to be issued as a single to make the Hot 100. Aaliyah's "Try Again" was the first tune to top the chart based on airplay alone, without any sales figures being included.

I Remember EverythingZach Bryan

Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves had both gone through divorces when they wrote and recorded the wrenching duet "I Remember Everything." It was the first #1 Hot 100 hit for each of them.

Bad RomanceLady Gaga

Lady Gaga is a big fan of horror movies; listen for the names of these three Alfred Hitchcock films in the lyrics to "Bad Romance": Psycho, Vertigo, Rear Window.