"Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round" is a freedom song based on the
spiritual "Don't You Let Nobody Turn You Round" and became an American
civil rights era
The civil rights movement was a nonviolent social and political movement and campaign from 1954 to 1968 in the United States to abolish legalized institutional racial segregation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement throughout the United ...
anthem.
[ It was sung during demonstrations for civil rights in the United States including during the Memphis sanitation worker strike in 1967. The song's lyrics are adaptable to situations and locations.]Sweet Honey in the Rock
Sweet Honey in the Rock is an all-women band, all-woman, African American, African-American a cappella ensemble. They are an United States, American three-time Grammy Award–nominated troupe who express their history as black women through song ...
recorded a rendition of the song. The song is performed by Jurnee Smollett
Jurnee Diana Smollett (born October 1, 1986) is an American actress. She began her career as a child actress appearing on television sitcoms, including ''On Our Own (1994 TV series), On Our Own'' (1994–1995) and ''Full House'' (1992–1994). Sh ...
in the 1999 television film ''Selma, Lord, Selma
''Selma, Lord, Selma'' is a 1999 American made-for-television biographical drama film based on true events that happened in March 1965, known as Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama. The film tells the story through the eyes of an 9-year-old African-A ...
''. Imani Uzuri
Imani Uzuri is an American vocalist and composer.
Uzuri has collaborated with artists across various disciplines including co-writing and singing the song "Be Still" for Herbie Hancock's album '' Future 2 Future''.
In 2012 Uzuri released her s ...
performed the song and it is presented as part of a lesson on freedom songs.The Roots
The Roots are an American hip hop band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The Roots serve as the house band on NBC's ''The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy F ...
recorded the song for the soundtrack of the 2009 documentary film, ''Soundtrack for a Revolution
''Soundtrack for a Revolution'' is a 2009 documentary film written and directed by Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman. This documentary traces the story of the Civil Rights Movement and the gains achieved by young African-American activists with an ...
''.
Richard A. Couto wrote the book ''Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round; The Pursuit of Racial Justice in the Rural South''.
Joan Baez
Joan Chandos Baez (; born January 9, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Her contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest and social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing more ...
released a live version of this song on her album, ''From Every Stage
''From Every Stage'' is a double live album recorded by Joan Baez on tour in the summer of 1975. The first half of the album was acoustic, with Baez accompanying herself on her guitar, while the second half features electric backup. Baez' record ...
'' (1976).
See also
*Civil rights movement in popular culture
The history of the 1954 to 1968 American civil rights movement has been depicted and documented in film, song, theater, television, and the visual arts. These presentations add to and maintain cultural awareness and understanding of the goals, tact ...
*Protest songs in the United States
Protest songs in the United States are a tradition that dates back to the early 18th century and have persisted and evolved as an aspect of American culture through the present day. Many American social movements have inspired protest songs span ...
7
References
{{Civil rights movement
American folk songs
Protest songs
Songs about the United States
The Specials songs
Songs of the civil rights movement