Someday We'll All Be Free
Encyclopedia
"Someday We'll All Be Free" is a 1973 song by Donny Hathaway
from the album Extension of a Man
. The song was released as the flipside to the single "Love, Love, Love". Though the song was only released as an uncharted A-side, it is considered an R&B standard, having been covered by many artists over the years.
The lyrics were written by Edward Howard, for and about the mental pain that Donny Hathaway was experiencing at the time. Edward Howard said:
Years later, the song began to interpreted as being written about black rights, primarily due Spike Lee
featuring it at the end of his biographical film Malcolm X
. However, as Howard said:
Donny Hathaway himself particularly loved the song and as Eulalah Hathaway stated:
Although the song did not chart, the B-side of the single, "Love, Love Love" peaked at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100
and #16 on the R&B charts
Donny Hathaway
Donny Edward Hathaway was an American soul singer-songwriter and musician. Hathaway contracted with Atlantic Records in 1969 and with his first single for the Atco label, "The Ghetto, Part I" in early 1970, Rolling Stone magazine "marked him as a major new force in soul music."His collaborations...
from the album Extension of a Man
Extension of a Man
Extension of a Man is an album released by the R&B/Soul singer Donny Hathaway in 1973. It was his last studio album. It's noted for including a young Stanley Clarke of Return to Forever on a couple of tracks, as well as drummer Fred White, brother to Earth, Wind & Fire's Maurice White and...
. The song was released as the flipside to the single "Love, Love, Love". Though the song was only released as an uncharted A-side, it is considered an R&B standard, having been covered by many artists over the years.
The lyrics were written by Edward Howard, for and about the mental pain that Donny Hathaway was experiencing at the time. Edward 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."
Years later, the song began to interpreted as being written about black rights, primarily due Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
featuring it at the end of his biographical film Malcolm X
Malcolm X (film)
Malcolm X is a 1992 biographical motion picture about the Muslim-American figure Malcolm X . It was co-written, co-produced, and directed by Spike Lee. It stars Denzel Washington as the titular character. It co-stars Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, Al Freeman, Jr., and Delroy Lindo...
. However, as 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 himself particularly loved the song and 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."
Although the song did not chart, the B-side of the single, "Love, Love Love" peaked at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and #16 on the R&B charts
Covers
- Tom Browne on his 1999 compilation album "R 'N' Browne" also with Dianne Reeves did as vocals.
- Alicia Keys during the America: A Tribute to HeroesAmerica: A Tribute to HeroesAmerica: A Tribute to Heroes was a benefit concert created by the heads of the four broadcast networks. Joel Gallen was selected by them to produce and run the show Joel Gallen. Actor George Clooney wrangled the celebrities to performed and to man the telephone bank . The marketing and public...
telethon following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. - George Benson on his 2009 album "Songs And Stories".
- Kirk Whalum on his 2010 album Everything Is Everything: The Music Of Donny Hathaway
- Bilal during the Grand Performances series in Los Angeles with the Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble.
- Helen BaylorHelen BaylorHelen Baylor is an American gospel singer.Baylor was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and raised in Los Angeles, where she first performed as a secular nightclub act. She opened for Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and B.B. King while still in her teens, and performed in the musical Hair...
covers the song which was used in the season 2 finale of the MartinMartin (TV series)Martin is an American sitcom produced by HBO Independent Productions that aired for five seasons, from August 27, 1992 to May 1, 1997 on Fox...
episode, "Martin's on the Move" and the song appears during the closing credits of the previous seasons.