Someday We’ll All Be Free by Donny Hathaway (1973)

From blackwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Donny Hathaway

Someday We'll All Be Free is a soul song from Donny Hathaway released in 1973. The song was from his album, titled Extension of a Man and has been covered by many artists over the years.

Written by Edward Howard, the lyrics were inspired from a mental pain that Hathway, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenic, at the time the song was written. Howard said : "What was going through my mind at the time was Donny, because Donny was a very troubled person. I hoped that at some point he would be released from all that he was going through. There was nothing I could do but write something that might be encouraging for him." The song is also featured in The Walking Dead’s seventh season finale, aired in April 2017. [1]

Key Lyrics

Hang on to the world as it spins around

Just don't let the spin get you down

Things are moving fast

Hold on tight and you will last

Keep your self respect, your manly pride

Get yourself in gear

Keep your stride

Never mind your fears

Brighter days will soon be here Take it from me, someday we'll all be free, yeah [2]

Black Empowerment

Years later, the song started to be interpreted about black rights, primarily due to biographical film, Malcolm X by Spike Lee featuring Aretha Franklin in 1992. Howard said :

"A lot of black people have taken the song for some sort of anthem. That's fine. I didn't write it for that, though. It doesn't have that significance for me. I take it with a grain of salt. I'm glad it has some significance."

Donny Hathaway, as the original singer, personally loved the song, as Eulalah Hathaway stated:

"He loved that song. Donny literally sat in the studio and cried when he heard the playback of his final mix. It's pretty special when an artist can create something that wipes them out." [3]

With its message of hope, the song often gets adopted as an anthem of de facto civil rights. [4]

Many people turned to music for comfort during the tragic days after September 11, 2001. The song helped people to comfort feelings, cope with griefs, fears, and angers, even gave hope for the future. [5]

The song was an anthem, voicing a general aspiration, an assurance that someday it will be found. The melody is optimistic as the lyrics are hip. The power of this song will be echoed in everyone’s heart as for reminder that someday, what they have been longing for, what they are hoping for will come true. [6]

References