How Many by Miguel (2016)

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Miguel

How Many released on July 8, 2016 by Miguel on [SoundCloud] as a response to the deaths of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minnesota who were shot by police officers. [1]

Key Lyrics

I'm tired of human lives turned into hashtags and prayer hands

I'm tired of watching these murderers get off

While we bury the lost, and loved, and innocent

Brothers and sisters it's time to wake up, wake up, wake up

Brothers and sisters it's time you say something, do something, make 'em

I wonder, how many black lives, how many black lives

How many heartbeats turned into flatlines

How many black lives, how many black lives

Does it take to wake the change?

Does it take to wake the change?

Does it take to wake the change?

We can't let them die in vain

Does it take to wake the change? [2]

Black Empowerment

The song majorly was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, the R&B singer sings, “I’m tired of human lives turned into hashtags and prayer hands.”

On the track’s chorus, the lyrics states: “How many black lives, how many black lives? / How many heartbeats turned into flatlines? / How many black lives, how many black lives? / Does it take to wake the change?”

Miguel took to Soundcloud about the song, “This version was started (written/recorded) here in London in my hotel room between the hours of 4am and around 7am when I passed out. I’ll update this song every week until it's complete. Please feel free to share. #blacklivesmatter” [3]

He is not the first musician to release a song in response to police brutality. Various artists contributed to share their thoughts such as Jay Z who released the song “Spiritual”, as well as Janelle Monaé and Solange Knowles who have issued their own dedications. Not to miss Beyoncé and Drake address this tragic shooting via open letters. [4]

References

  1. How Many (Demo) Miguel. Genius. Retrieved January 19, 2021
  2. How Many (Demo) Miguel. Genius. Retrieved January 19, 2021
  3. Kickham, Dylan. Miguel releases Black Lives Matter-inspired song. EW. July 08, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2021
  4. Geslani, Michelle. Miguel pleads for justice on Black Lives Matter-dedicated song “How Many” — listen. Consequence of Sound. July 08, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2021