Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History

The Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Explore the music that kept the spirit of the civil rights movement alive following King’s death–from James Brown’s black power anthem, “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)” to Kendrick Lamar’s searing protest song, “Alright,” inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement.

September 11th

Explore songs associated with 9/11, including Billy Joel's “New York State of Mind,” which took on a new and heightened meaning. Also a look at how politically charged country music took center stage.

Kent State & The Vietnam War

Following the killings of four Kent State University students during anti-Vietnam War protests, politically driven songs from Neil Young, Buffalo Springfield and others became popular.

Hurricane Katrina

Following Hurricane Katrina, international artists from U2 to Kanye West joined New Orleans musicians in benefit concerts to help ensure the city’s rich traditions survived.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

The episode charts the course of the Cold War in Berlin through music revealing how it helped to sow the seeds of rebellion.

The Moon Landing

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s moonwalk inspired musicians from David Bowie and the Byrds to Parliament-Funkadelic and Sun Ra to imagine a cosmic future for mankind.

Battle of the Sexes

Billie Jean King’s win against Bobby Riggs in their famous tennis match was a galvanizing moment for the women’s movement and ushered in music that delivered messages of female empowerment.

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The Stonewall Riots

The episode tracks the beginning of the gay rights movement in America following the riots at Stonewall Inn and how music has played a vital role in celebrating and preaching tolerance of the LGBT community.