Martin Luther King Jr. changed the world with his words and his courage, which is why musicians from every background have spent decades writing music to honor his life and keep his messages alive. From tributes created soon after he passed to modern hip-hop tracks, these songs were written to help us remember the man who dreamed of a better future.
Be sure to check out the songs about Martin Luther King Playlist at the bottom of this page.
Best Songs About MLK
1. “Why? (The King of Love Is Dead)” – Nina Simone
Lyric Sample: “He was dreaming of a day, peace would come to earth to stay.”
Simone’s band member wrote this song just days after the assassination in 1968. She performed it at a festival shortly after, capturing her response to a national tragedy that left the black community (and the nation) in shock.
2. “Happy Birthday” – Stevie Wonder
Lyric Sample: “There ought to be a law against, anyone who takes offense, at a day in your celebration.”
This 1980 R&B hit was a major part of the campaign to make MLK’s birthday a federal holiday. Wonder used this track to rally public support and celebrate the joy King brought to the world.
3. “Pride (In the Name of Love)” – U2
Lyric Sample: “Early morning, April four, shot rings out in the Memphis sky.”
This rock track is one of the most famous MLK songs ever recorded. It’s about the cost of standing up for what’s right and focuses on the moment King lost his life.
4. “Glory” – Common & John Legend
Lyric Sample: “One day, when the glory comes, it will be ours, it will be ours.”
Written for the movie Selma, “Glory” connects the civil rights struggles of the 1960s to modern-day movements. Common and John Legend won an Oscar for it in 2015.
5. “Abraham, Martin and John” – Dion
Lyric Sample: “Has anybody here seen my old friend Martin? Can you tell me where he’s gone?”
Dion wrote this one to honor leaders who were killed while trying to change the world. It groups King with Abraham Lincoln and the Kennedy brothers as men who fought for freedom.
6. “Shed a Little Light” – James Taylor
Lyric Sample: “Let us turn our thoughts today to Martin Luther King, and recognize that there are ties between us.”
Taylor released this folk song in 1991 with Dr. King’s philosophy in mind. He asks listeners to be a source of hope and compassion in a world that desperately needs it.
7. “By the Time I Get to Arizona” – Public Enemy
Lyric Sample: “I’m countin’ down to the day deservin’, fittin’ for a king.”
This hard-hitting ’90s track was a protest against the state of Arizona’s initial refusal to recognize MLK Day. Public Enemy used their platform to call out politicians who stood in the way of honoring King’s legacy.
8. “If I Can Dream” – Elvis Presley
Lyric Sample: “We’re lost in a cloud with too much rain.”
Elvis recorded this in 1968, just months after King’s death. It’s a gospel-influenced ballad that became one of his most meaningful performances.
9. “Like a King” – Ben Harper
Lyric Sample: “Well, Martin’s dream has become Rodney’s worst nightmare.”
Harper compares the treatment of King with the police beating of Rodney King. It’s a blunt look at how far the country still had to go to achieve the goals of the civil rights movement.
10. “Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)” – Patty Griffin
Lyric Sample: “Sometimes I feel like I’ve never been nothing but tired.”
This 2006 folk song takes inspiration from King’s final speech in Memphis. It captures the exhaustion and determination of someone who sees the goal ahead but knows they might not get there themselves.
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11. “Letter to the King” – The Game ft. Nas
Lyric Sample: “Ridin’ home from school, in front of the bus, not even thinkin’ ’bout how Rosa Parks done it for us.”
In this 2008 collaboration, both rappers confess that they didn’t fully grasp the importance of Rosa Parks, Dr. King, and his wife, Coretta Scott, when they were younger. Nas admits he used to joke about the “I Have a Dream” speech before the words finally reached him.
12. “They Killed Him” – Kris Kristofferson
Lyric Sample: “He shook the land like rolling thunder, and made the bells of freedom ring today.”
Kristofferson mourns three martyrs in this track: Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King. It’s a song about the way the world treats those who preach peace.
13. “A Dream” – Common ft. will.i.am
Lyric Sample: “I walk with a boulder on my shoulder, it’s a cold war, I’m a colder soldier.”
This track from the film Freedom Writers uses samples of King’s most famous speech to connect the past and the present. It’s a song about continuing the struggle for equality in modern America.
14. “One Vision” – Queen
Lyric Sample: “One flesh, one bone, one true religion, one race, one hope, one real decision.”
While “One Vision” isn’t explicitly about Dr. King, it was inspired by his vision of unity. The lyrics call for unity and peace for all people.
15. “Wake Up” – Rage Against the Machine
Lyric Sample: “How long? Not long! ‘Cause what you reap is what you sow.”
This early-’90s track is about the history of the civil rights movement and the federal government’s role in it. It includes a quote from King’s “Our God is Marching On!” speech.
16. “MLK Song” – Mavis Staples
Lyric Sample: “If I can spread the message as the master taught.”
Staples performed at civil rights rallies alongside Dr. King, which gives this 2016 tribute extra weight. The song interpolates King’s February 1968 “Drum Major Instinct” speech.
17. “Sing About Martin” – Miss Jackie
Lyric Sample: “Sing about Martin, sing about caring, sing about peace all around the world.”
Miss Jackie keeps it simple with this educational kids’ song that connects Martin Luther King’s name to the values he stood for.
18. “MLK” – U2
Lyric Sample: “Sleep, sleep tonight, and may your dreams be realized.”
This short ambient track acts as a lullaby for King. It’s a unique take on a tribute song.
19. “Tribute to Martin Luther King” – Max Romeo
Lyric Sample: “No one remembers Martin Luther King.”
Reggae artist Max Romeo wrote this when King’s legacy wasn’t yet cemented with a federal holiday. It came during a time when people worried his message would fade.
20. “King Holiday” – King Dream Chorus & Holiday Crew
Lyric Sample: “Let the hero shine every day in your life.”
This 1986 funk-soul track celebrates the official recognition of MLK Day, which had just been established. The song encourages listeners to honor King’s teachings about love and equality.
21. “Dry Your Eyes” – Neil Diamond
Lyric Sample: “Sing it like you know he’d want it, like we sang it once before.”
Diamond co-wrote this song following the death of Martin Luther King Jr. and famously performed it at the “The Last Waltz” concert. It’s an encouraging message to keep going even in the face of great loss.
Conclusion
Martin Luther King Jr.’s influence reaches far beyond speeches and marches. His vision inspired generations of musicians to create songs about peace, justice, and equality. Whether they’re mourning his loss, celebrating his achievements, or pushing for the change he dreamed of, these tracks keep his message alive.
If you enjoyed this list, you might also like our picks for Vietnam War Songs, Songs About Georgia, and Songs About Death.
