Today’s cover project choice is more “ripped from the headlines” than normal. In recognition of today’s historic inauguration, we’re profiling Sam Cooke’s classic “A Change is Gonna Come.”

A civil rights anthem for decades, the song took on new importance recently when it became the de facto theme for Obama’s election. Everyone and their brother chose the song for their election coverage — we certainly featured it in our election mix back in November — and although it didn’t make the official Obama soundtrack, the President-elect did invoke both the spirit and lyric of the song in his acceptance speech in November:

“It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.”
— Barack Obama, 11/4/08

Cooke was inspired to write the song after hearing Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Dylan’s lyrics struck such a chord with Cooke that he reportedly remarked, “Geez, a white boy writing a song like that?” “Change” is in part Cooke’s response to the hypothetical questions in Dylan’s lyrics.

The original song was released on Ain’t That Good News in 1964, but received a limited reception. Although a significant musical departure for Cooke, he felt strongly that the song deserved deeper attention, releasing it as the b-side to “Shake” nine months later on December 22, 1964 — 11 days after Cooke was shot to death by Bertha Franklin.

The single’s immediate reception was stronger, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Black Singles chart and #31 on the Pop Singles chart. However, the song’s legacy was far greater, serving as a civil rights anthem and becoming his most enduring composition. Rolling Stone ranked it at #12 in their 2005 list of the 500 greatest songs.

For more, check out Aquarium Drunkard’s excellent tribute.

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