The song became an anthem for the anti-apartheid movement for people outside of South Africa and forced the privileged, white populations of the West to become aware of the issues in South Africa. “Free Nelson Mandela” was a Top 10 hit in the United Kingdom in 1984. With this proud song, Tom Robinson gave a voice to the people that might have never had a voice before. Tom Robinson has said that “Glad to Be Gay” was about the non-conforming, from lesbians to transgenders. It became an anthem for the LGBTQ community in London. Written for a London gay pride parade, “Glad to Be Gay” was banned by the BBC upon its release. They are listed in alphabetical order and there is no importance in their specific ranking.
In the text below, the top 10 civil rights songs are presented, but due to their importance and quality, they can be deemed as the top 10 of the best songs ever recorded.
Songs were chosen based on the influence in specific civil rights movements, as well as their popularity and legacies. As Gregory Harper, a former museum director and archaeologist turned musician says, music has often been used in the service of civil rights and political awareness. Music has an undeniable connection to civil rights movements.
