The air crackled with jubilation as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were declared President-Elect and Vice President-Elect. Across America, spontaneous celebrations erupted, a vibrant tapestry of people from all backgrounds – Black, Brown, white, Asian, Indigenous – dancing in the streets, united in their shared joy. This massive outpouring of emotion, defying a global pandemic, was a powerful testament to the rejection of division and the embrace of inclusivity, a profoundly patriotic moment. American flags waved high, underscoring the deep-seated patriotism felt across communities.
Media outlets and President-Elect Biden himself acknowledged the pivotal role of the African American community in this pivotal moment for American democracy. Witnessing this collective celebration, the fireworks illuminating the sky, brought into sharp focus the undeniable patriotism within the Black community. Despite facing historical injustices and systemic inequalities, African Americans have consistently championed the very ideals upon which America is purportedly founded: justice, freedom, and equality. Perhaps this unwavering belief in democracy stems from a lived experience of vulnerability when these principles are absent.
The victory speeches were underscored by powerful musical choices. Vice President-Elect Harris’s entrance to Mary J. Blige’s “Work That” and President-Elect Biden’s arrival to Bruce Springsteen’s “We Take Care of Our Own,” followed by a celebratory soundtrack featuring Jackie Wilson, Coldplay, Hall & Oates, and Tina Turner, sparked a reflection on the rich tapestry of patriotic American songs interpreted by African American artists. Jon Batiste’s recent, moving rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” immediately came to mind as a standout example.
This train of thought gained momentum when a sister’s song suggestion – Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings’ rendition of “This Land Is Our Land” – arrived by text. Inspiration struck, leading to the creation of the “Black Americana” playlist, a curated collection designed to inspire reflection and hope in the days and months ahead.
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This playlist, titled “Black Americana,” is a journey through iconic and reimagined Patriotic Songs For America, performed by Black artists. It spans from Marian Anderson’s historic 1939 performance of “America (My Country, ‘Tis of Thee)” at the Lincoln Memorial to Whitney Houston’s breathtaking 1991 Super Bowl XXV rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.” It encompasses familiar melodies learned in childhood alongside innovative interpretations and original compositions that delve into the multifaceted meaning of being American.
Included is Melba Moore’s soulful 1990 collaborative version of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black national anthem, penned by brothers James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosemond Johnson, featuring the voices of Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, and Anita Baker, amongst others. The playlist also features surprising and genre-bending covers such as Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells’ take on “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” and Prince’s electrifying rendition of “Yankee Doodle Dandy.”
Marvin Gaye’s groundbreaking and soulful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game.
Marvin Gaye’s unforgettable and, at the time, “scandalous” 1983 NBA All-Star game performance of “The Star Spangled Banner,” and Jimi Hendrix’s searing, politically charged Woodstock rendition of the same anthem (which cleverly incorporates “Over There,” another patriotic classic) are also featured. Contemporary voices resonate too, with Gary Clark Jr.’s powerful “This Land” and Childish Gambino’s poignant 21st-century anthem, “This is America,” adding modern perspectives to the collection of patriotic songs for America.
The “Black Americana” playlist further showcases the diverse contributions of James Brown, Beyoncé, Billie Holiday, Billy Preston, BeBe Winans, Pharrell Williams, Jimmy Smith, King Curtis, and 2 Live Crew. And of course, no collection of patriotic songs for America would be complete without Ray Charles’ timeless and deeply moving rendition of “America The Beautiful.”
This playlist, “Black Americana,” is an invitation to explore the rich and diverse interpretations of patriotic songs for America by Black artists, offering a unique and powerful lens through which to view American identity and patriotism. Enjoy the journey through these resonant and meaningful sounds.
