A Change Is Gonna Come

Lore & Background

The song was inspired by events in Cooke's life, including being turned away from a whites-only motel in Louisiana in October 1963, which led to his arrest for disturbing the peace. Cooke was also moved by Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" and Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.

Cooke recorded the song in early 1964, giving arranger René Hall complete control over the orchestration, which included lush strings, horns, and timpani. The song was first performed on television prior to February 7, 1964, and Cooke did perform it again in his lifetime.

Despite modest commercial success compared to his earlier hits, "A Change Is Gonna Come" is widely considered one of Cooke's greatest compositions. In 2007, it was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress, and in 2021 Rolling Stone ranked it number 3 on its list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."

Reader's Guide

Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" holds a significant place in American music history as a socially conscious song that addressed racial injustice during the Civil Rights Movement. The song's lyrics drew from Cooke's personal encounters with segregation, including the Shreveport motel incident and earlier experiences in South Carolina. Its orchestral arrangement, which Cooke entrusted entirely to René Hall, marked a departure from Cooke's typical pop style and contributed to its enduring emotional impact. The song's legacy was cemented when it was added to the National Recording Registry in 2007 and later ranked highly by Rolling Stone, including number 1 on its 2025 list of the "100 Best Protest Songs of All Time." The song's influence extends beyond its initial release, as it continues to be recognized as a powerful statement on the struggle for equality.

Did You Know?

• The song was the B-side to "Shake."
• Cooke first performed the song on television prior to February 7, 1964.
• The song was inspired by Cooke being turned away from a whites-only motel in Louisiana and his arrest for disturbing the peace.
• In 2021, Rolling Stone ranked it number 3 on its list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."