Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History - Season 1
Season 1
Episodes
The Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
The series premiere explores 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. The music in the episode celebrates the strength and solidarity of the African American experience while reminding us how far we still have to go.
September 11th
Following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, songs like Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" took on a new and heightened meaning and politically charged country music took center stage.
Kent State and 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 Berlin Wall and the Fall of Communism
Charting the course of the Cold War in Berlin through music revealing how it helped to sow the seeds of rebellion.
The Space Race
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 tennis match was an incredible moment for the women's movement and ushered in music that delivered messages of female empowerment.
Out, Loud, & Proud
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.
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