Every January in the United States, Martin Luther King is remembered in a national holiday honoring his birthday. The leader of the American Civil Rights movement, Dr. King has been immortalized many times in song, as great heroes often are. Below are five songs that honor Dr. King and capture the essence of his struggle.
Abraham, Martin, and John, by Dion
This oft-covered song was written in 1968-- the year of MLK’s assassination--by Dick Holler and first recorded by Dion. It was written as a tribute to Martin Luther King and the Kennedy’s, associating them in the lyrics with Abraham Lincoln.
For a world mourning MLK’s (and Bobby Kennedy’s) recent deaths, “Abraham, Martin, and John” held extraordinary meaning and became very popular. It reached #4 on the pop charts in 1968, and has been covered by such varied artists as Marvin Gaye, Emmylou Harris, and Marillion.
Take It From Dr. King by Pete Seeger
Pete Seeger was at the forefront of the civil rights movement writing powerful, progressive songs like “If I Had a Hammer,” and “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”
Even in his old age, Seeger continued writing. In 2002 Seeger wrote “Take It From Dr. King,” as a call for calm after the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks of 9/11 and its subsequent hysteria.
Drawing upon images of MLK and the American Civil Rights Movement, Pete Seeger reminds us:
Don’t say it can’t be done
The battle’s just begun
Take it from Dr. King
You too can learn to sing
So drop the gun.
Up to the Mountain (MLK Song) by Patty Griffin
Patty Griffin is a more contemporary Folk song, yet its roots can be traced to MLK’s famous and eerily prophetic speech “I’ve Been to the Mountain Top,” given the day before his assassination.
In this song, Griffin sings how King inspires her time after time to keep going, even when hope is lost. For though he has “been to the mountain top,” he keeps up the struggle, that everyone can join him there.
Happy Birthday by Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder recorded this song in 1981 in solidarity with the campaign to create a national holiday for Martin Luther King’s birthday. The lyrics are straight forward, questioning why anyone who ever be against a holiday for a good man. Set against a bouncy, upbeat rhythm, “Happy Birthday” became a very popular song and remains so today.
MLK by U2
Bono has found inspiration from MLK both musically and politically. Although “Pride (In the Name of Love)” is the better known song that references King, “MLK” is a beautiful lullaby that captures the essence of Dr. King.
U2 does this without even mentioning him or making any avert references to him. Rather the song is half lullaby and half prayer, hoping that dreams become realized and “if the thundercloud passes rain/ so let it rain/ rain down on me.”
The spiritual feel and natural imagery of the song evokes the traditional folk songs that were so popular during the Civil Rights Movement, where Folk greats such as the late Odetta stood side by side with MLK.
Great leaders are often paid tribute to in song, and in the 20th century, there were few leaders greater than Martin Luther King. It is no surprise then, that some of the great musicians of Folk music and other genres have sung out for the leader of the American Civil Rights Movement, who showed the world that there are other ways than violence.
Happy Birthday, Dr. King.
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