I often find that, along with "No Woman No Cry" and "What's Going On" that these two songs I'm highlighting actually have a lot in common to personal problems each of them were going through when they recorded the songs.

Nowadays, the songs "A Change Is Gonna Come" (which Sam Cooke had admitted was his answer to Dylan's "Blowin' In the Wind") and "Someday We'll All Be Free" are always brought up when it comes to social change and while both of them definitely deserves their kudos for that, they were ACTUALLY initially based on personal hardships that both of them (Sam & Donny) were suffering from in their own homes.

In Sam's case, the song was a tribute to his deceased son Vincent. I think Sam recorded it after weeks of meditation (and alcohol) over his son's tragic death (in the Cookes' swimming pool nonetheless in L.A.). Sam also was starting to have premonitions over his own mortality and was also facing criticism with black religious leaders six years after he had left the Soul Stirrers so when you heard him singing, it was more painful than it was uplifting and yet it was at the same time ("for I know, I know a change is gonna come"). Unfortunately for Sam, he never got to see its later triumph as the song was released after his death.

With Donny, "Someday" was more about mental freedom than anything else. Donny was suffering from the early signs of paranoid schizophrenia and he was allegedly in depression when "Someday" was conceived. Another writer (Edward Howard, I believe, was his name) wrote the lyrics. After Donny recorded it and listened to it on playback, Edward said, Donny buckled and cried at how beautiful the song turned out. According to Edward, the song was written FOR Donny to get out of the rankled mess he was in. Like Sam, Donny wasn't able to live to see that song's triumph (not on the charts but to other people touched by the song).

I think both songs can definitely be interpreted for anything and not just one thing, and I still think they're the GREATEST songs they ever did. Depression can definitely inspire you sometimes - though we wish that sometimes wasn't the case.

Anyway, what you guys think?

I have no doubt that depression or such symptoms can inspire people to produce some incredible results in music and more (look at the visual artists who have painted amazing works while suffering some form of mental abnormaility).

One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite bands was steeped in the songwriters depression during a drug addiction/long relationship breakdown.

This is a song which is equally glorious and heartbreaking......stunning band.

^ Thanks for that.

Its something I could feel, but not actually articulate. But one thing for sure, I certainly didn't know that "A Change Is Gonna Come" was stemmed from depression, I could feel the anguish(and the hope) but didn't previously know that depression was a factor, although I'm not surprised.

When I think about songs that stemmed from depression, this one stands out...

Known as the "Suicide Song". The story behind it is extremely devastating. Look it up.

This one though, like "A Change" is more bittersweet. There's a heap of darkness, but there's hope too.

Great thread btw.

[Edited 6/9/11 13:11pm]

^ And Nina's definitely has a bittersweet feel.

Thanks.

^^ That Billy Holliday track is a belter.

both of these songs are emotional powerhouses that i can't listen to w/o either tearing up or coming close. donny's voice DRIPS with emotion for me (and i've said it hear before, for some reason Cee-Lo's voice is one of the only one amongst contemporary artists that has a similar effect on me at times. Peep "Free" from Goodie Mob's Soul Food debut and also A Little Better from Gnarls' Odd Couple). I would upload You Tube clips here but i'm lazy

I have a better understanding of how Sam's faith was "shook" after his son's death (i had no idea), I used to wonder, you were a Soul Stirrer what happened to the "blessed assurance" that goes with the Christian faith when he sings... "It's been too hard living but I'm afraid to die, cause I don't what's up there beyond the sky..." Two uses of Sam's song in film, in Spike Lee's Malcolm X as he was driving to his pending assassination at the Audobon Ballroom. Poignant scene and then the opposite effect of over the top melodrama in Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls (i was like THIS is why I don't see this guys' films LOL)

datdude said:

both of these songs are emotional powerhouses that i can't listen to w/o either tearing up or coming close. donny's voice DRIPS with emotion for me (and i've said it hear before, for some reason Cee-Lo's voice is one of the only one amongst contemporary artists that has a similar effect on me at times. Peep "Free" from Goodie Mob's Soul Food debut and also A Little Better from Gnarls' Odd Couple). I would upload You Tube clips here but i'm lazy

I have a better understanding of how Sam's faith was "shook" after his son's death (i had no idea), I used to wonder, you were a Soul Stirrer what happened to the "blessed assurance" that goes with the Christian faith when he sings... "It's been too hard living but I'm afraid to die, cause I don't what's up there beyond the sky..." Two uses of Sam's song in film, in Spike Lee's Malcolm X as he was driving to his pending assassination at the Audobon Ballroom. Poignant scene and then the opposite effect of over the top melodrama in Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls (i was like THIS is why I don't see this guys' films LOL)

I remember the song being used in this movie. I had read the "Autobiography Of Malcolm X" and actually cried when I came to the end (I truly feel he was on the verge of a major breakthrough/transformation)...so I knew I would get emotional during the movie also. HOWEVER, that song just did me in completely. I was still crying as I walked out of the theater....

sidebar: it's 12:33 a.m. on the east coast of the u.s. and I'm up on this damn site AND watching the Yankess vs Red Sox......I TRULY NEED TO GET A LIFE or at the very least a Man!!!

Timmy84 said:

I often find that, along with "No Woman No Cry" and "What's Going On" that these two songs I'm highlighting actually have a lot in common to personal problems each of them were going through when they recorded the songs.

Nowadays, the songs "A Change Is Gonna Come" (which Sam Cooke had admitted was his answer to Dylan's "Blowin' In the Wind") and "Someday We'll All Be Free" are always brought up when it comes to social change and while both of them definitely deserves their kudos for that, they were ACTUALLY initially based on personal hardships that both of them (Sam & Donny) were suffering from in their own homes.

In Sam's case, the song was a tribute to his deceased son Vincent. I think Sam recorded it after weeks of meditation (and alcohol) over his son's tragic death (in the Cookes' swimming pool nonetheless in L.A.). Sam also was starting to have premonitions over his own mortality and was also facing criticism with black religious leaders six years after he had left the Soul Stirrers so when you heard him singing, it was more painful than it was uplifting and yet it was at the same time ("for I know, I know a change is gonna come"). Unfortunately for Sam, he never got to see its later triumph as the song was released after his death.

With Donny, "Someday" was more about mental freedom than anything else. Donny was suffering from the early signs of paranoid schizophrenia and he was allegedly in depression when "Someday" was conceived. Another writer (Edward Howard, I believe, was his name) wrote the lyrics. After Donny recorded it and listened to it on playback, Edward said, Donny buckled and cried at how beautiful the song turned out. According to Edward, the song was written FOR Donny to get out of the rankled mess he was in. Like Sam, Donny wasn't able to live to see that song's triumph (not on the charts but to other people touched by the song).

I think both songs can definitely be interpreted for anything and not just one thing, and I still think they're the GREATEST songs they ever did. Depression can definitely inspire you sometimes - though we wish that sometimes wasn't the case.

Anyway, what you guys think?

I always knew Someday We Will All be free was about depression, infact if you listen between the lines , it almost sounds like a suicide note, which sadly Donny Hathaway committed some years later.

whatsgoingon said:

Timmy84 said:

I often find that, along with "No Woman No Cry" and "What's Going On" that these two songs I'm highlighting actually have a lot in common to personal problems each of them were going through when they recorded the songs.

Nowadays, the songs "A Change Is Gonna Come" (which Sam Cooke had admitted was his answer to Dylan's "Blowin' In the Wind") and "Someday We'll All Be Free" are always brought up when it comes to social change and while both of them definitely deserves their kudos for that, they were ACTUALLY initially based on personal hardships that both of them (Sam & Donny) were suffering from in their own homes.

In Sam's case, the song was a tribute to his deceased son Vincent. I think Sam recorded it after weeks of meditation (and alcohol) over his son's tragic death (in the Cookes' swimming pool nonetheless in L.A.). Sam also was starting to have premonitions over his own mortality and was also facing criticism with black religious leaders six years after he had left the Soul Stirrers so when you heard him singing, it was more painful than it was uplifting and yet it was at the same time ("for I know, I know a change is gonna come"). Unfortunately for Sam, he never got to see its later triumph as the song was released after his death.

With Donny, "Someday" was more about mental freedom than anything else. Donny was suffering from the early signs of paranoid schizophrenia and he was allegedly in depression when "Someday" was conceived. Another writer (Edward Howard, I believe, was his name) wrote the lyrics. After Donny recorded it and listened to it on playback, Edward said, Donny buckled and cried at how beautiful the song turned out. According to Edward, the song was written FOR Donny to get out of the rankled mess he was in. Like Sam, Donny wasn't able to live to see that song's triumph (not on the charts but to other people touched by the song).

I think both songs can definitely be interpreted for anything and not just one thing, and I still think they're the GREATEST songs they ever did. Depression can definitely inspire you sometimes - though we wish that sometimes wasn't the case.

Anyway, what you guys think?

I always knew Someday We Will All be free was about depression, infact if you listen between the lines , it almost sounds like a suicide note, which sadly Donny Hathaway committed some years later.

True.

datdude said:

both of these songs are emotional powerhouses that i can't listen to w/o either tearing up or coming close. donny's voice DRIPS with emotion for me (and i've said it hear before, for some reason Cee-Lo's voice is one of the only one amongst contemporary artists that has a similar effect on me at times. Peep "Free" from Goodie Mob's Soul Food debut and also A Little Better from Gnarls' Odd Couple). I would upload You Tube clips here but i'm lazy

I have a better understanding of how Sam's faith was "shook" after his son's death (i had no idea), I used to wonder, you were a Soul Stirrer what happened to the "blessed assurance" that goes with the Christian faith when he sings... "It's been too hard living but I'm afraid to die, cause I don't what's up there beyond the sky..." Two uses of Sam's song in film, in Spike Lee's Malcolm X as he was driving to his pending assassination at the Audobon Ballroom. Poignant scene and then the opposite effect of over the top melodrama in Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls (i was like THIS is why I don't see this guys' films LOL)

Yeah you could feel something eerie in "Change" and "Someday". In "Change" in particular, Sam actually played the song to Bobby Womack and Womack said "that song's eerie, it sounds like somebody's dying." Sam was shocked when he heard him say this and asked, "really?" Bobby repeated, "yeah that song sounds like death." Sam then made his mind that he would never perform it in his lifetime. That made the song's message even MORE spooky because it was like he KNEW what was coming.