Good Playlist: Songs of hope, optimism, and strength ▶️

Yes, baby boomers know how to bop – and they’ve seen it all. We conducted pre- and post-election focus groups with Black women of the boomer generation in November 2024 for our ongoing research on the role of emotions and politics for Black women in the United States. Remember – this is the generation with a front-row seat to political and societal upheaval: the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, Jr; the Cold War and the Vietnam War; Richard Nixon’s resignation after the Watergate scandal, the growth of the U.S. prison-industrial complex; the HIV/AIDs epidemic; deindustrialization of the nation’s urban core; and the Civil Rights era and then the rise of neo-liberal politics that repealed several hard-fought civil rights gains. 

In addition to learning their thoughts and feelings on Kamala Harris’ historic bid to become the first multi-ethnic Black woman president, we got a glimpse into their perspectives on a second Trump presidency.

The Black women baby boomers (ages 69 to 76) – who were recruited from a local arthritis aerobics-aquatic class – universally agreed that the music of their generation helped to sustain them during difficult political times. Throughout our conversation, the women also discussed how American culture has shifted since they were young. We can learn so much from them.

The songs on this three-hour playlist gave our participants hope during turbulent times. As we concluded our Nov. 25, 2024 focus group, the women gave the political scientists working on this project (Christine, 31 & Nadia, 42) some homework. We were tasked with listening to these songs to familiarize ourselves with political, civic-minded, and/or uplifting lyrics – as a tool to leverage during what they see as challenging times ahead for marginalized communities during the incoming Trump administration. Our participants saw the hope in these lyrics in stark contrast to the messages of mainstream songs that are played today. 

Because we are good students – and in our capacity as political science professors – we are now passing this assignment on to others. Enjoy!

1. Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In – The 5th Dimension
2. What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye
3. We Are the World – U.S.A. for Africa
4. Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud Pts. 1 & 2 – James Brown
5. Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me – The Freedom Singers
6. Freedom Highway – The Staple Sisters
7. Diamonds and Rust – Joan Baez
8. Tear the Fascists Down – Woody Guthrie
9. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised – Gill Scott Heron
10. We Shall Not Be Moved – Mavis Staples
11. What Are You Fighting For – Phil Ochs
12. Ringing of Revolution – Phil Ochs
13. Get Up, Stand Up – Bob Marley & the Wailers
14. They Don’t Care About Us – Michael Jackson
15. War – Edwin Starr
16. Strange Fruit – Billie Holiday
17. This Land is Your Land – Woody Guthrie
18. We Shall Overcome – Pete Seeger
19. Blowin’ in the Wind – Bob Dylan
20. Everyday People – Sly & the Family Stone
21. I Am Woman – Helen Reddy
22. People Get Ready – The Impressions
23. Volunteers – Jefferson Airplane
24. The Pill – Loretta Lynn
25. If I Had a Hammer – Peter, Paul & Mary
26. Say it Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud – Pt. 1 – James Brown
27. Big Yellow Taxi – Joni Mitchell
28. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised – Gill Scott Heron
29. Respect – Aretha Franklin
30. For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield
31. Long Walk to D.C. – The Staple Singers
32. Fortunate Son – Creedence Clearwater Revival
33. Ohio – Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young
34. To Be Young Gifted and Black – 2005 Remix – Nina Simone
35. The Times they Are A-Changin’ – Bob Dylan
36. Give Peace a Chance – John Lennon and Yoko Ono
37. Mississippi Goddam – Nina Simone
38. Redemption Song – Bob Marley & the Wailers
39. Born in the U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen
40. No Woman, No Cry – Bob Marley & The Wailers
41. Saigon Bride – Joan Baez
42. Take Back the Power – The Interrupters
43. What Have They Done to the Rain – Joan Baez
44. What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
45. Oh Happy Day – The Edwin Hawkins Singers
46. I Can See Clearly Now – Johnny Nash
47. Move on Up – Curtis Mayfield
48. I Got a Name – Jim Croce
49. Shining Star – Earth, Wind & Fire
50. I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
51. Imagine – Remastered 2010 – John Lennon
52. It’s Not Unusual – Tom Jones
53. A Change is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke
54. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
55. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) – Marvin Gaye
56. Up, Up and Away – The 5th Dimension

Nadia E. Brown is a professor of government and the director of the Women’s and Gender Studies program at Georgetown University. She is the author of Sisters in the Statehouse. 

Christine M. Slaughter is an assistant professor of political science at Boston University.

Do you have a good playlist with a political science theme? Want someone to make one? Know someone who has one? Send us your suggestions using this form! Please note that we will review all proposals but not all will be published.