"How I Got Over"

"How I Got Over"
Name	How I Got Over
Artist	Mahalia Jackson
Released	1947
Genre	Gospel music
Label	Apollo Records
Writer	Clara Ward

"How I Got Over" is a classic Gospel music song made famous by Mahalia Jackson, who was often accompanied by the Southern California Community Choir and other notable Gospel music groups like the Dixie Hummingbirds and the Blind Boys of Alabama. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, and Ray Charles, who were all influenced by Mahalia Jackson and the Gospel music tradition. Mahalia Jackson's powerful voice and emotive delivery helped to popularize the song, which was written by Clara Ward and has been performed at various venues, including the Newport Jazz Festival and the Montreux Jazz Festival. The song's message of hope and perseverance has resonated with audiences, including those who attended Martin Luther King Jr.'s March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and the Selma to Montgomery Marches.

Background

The song "How I Got Over" was written by Clara Ward, a renowned Gospel music singer, songwriter, and pianist, who was a key figure in the development of Gospel music along with other notable artists like Thomas A. Dorsey and Sallie Martin. Clara Ward was influenced by the African-American music tradition, including Blues music and Jazz music, which were popularized by artists like Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong. The song's lyrics reflect the struggles and hardships faced by African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement, including the Birmingham Campaign and the Watts riots, and the song has been performed at various Civil Rights Movement events, including the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and the Selma to Montgomery Marches, where it was sung by artists like Harry Belafonte and Joan Baez. The song has also been covered by other notable artists, including Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight, who have performed at venues like the Apollo Theater and the Greek Theatre.

Composition

The song "How I Got Over" is a classic example of Gospel music composition, with a strong emphasis on vocal performance and a simple, yet powerful, melody, which was influenced by the African-American music tradition, including Spirituals and Hymns. The song's lyrics are characterized by their use of Biblical imagery and themes, which were inspired by the King James Version of the Bible and the Book of Psalms. The song's composition is similar to that of other Gospel music classics, such as Thomas A. Dorsey's "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" and Sallie Martin's "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands", which were popularized by artists like Mahalia Jackson and the Dixie Hummingbirds. The song has been arranged and performed in various styles, including A cappella and Instrumental music, which have been featured at venues like the Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl.

Release

The song "How I Got Over" was first released in 1947 by Mahalia Jackson on the Apollo Records label, which was a major Record label for Gospel music and Rhythm and blues music, and was also home to other notable artists like Ray Charles and Sam Cooke. The song was a major success, reaching the top of the Billboard Gospel music charts and becoming a classic of the Gospel music genre, which was influenced by the African-American music tradition, including Blues music and Jazz music. The song has since been re-released on various Compilation albums and Live albums, including Mahalia Jackson's Live at the Newport Jazz Festival and Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace (Aretha Franklin album), which featured performances by artists like James Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir. The song has also been featured in various Films and Television shows, including The Gospel at Colonus and Soul Food (TV series), which were produced by companies like HBO and Showtime.

Reception

The song "How I Got Over" received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising Mahalia Jackson's powerful vocals and the song's uplifting message, which was influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and the African-American music tradition. The song has been praised by critics and musicians alike, including Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and Aretha Franklin, who have all covered the song in their own performances, which were featured at venues like the Apollo Theater and the Greek Theatre. The song has also been recognized as a classic of Gospel music and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, which is administered by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and has also recognized other notable Gospel music artists like Thomas A. Dorsey and Sallie Martin. The song has been performed at various Award shows, including the Grammy Awards and the Dove Awards, which have been hosted by artists like Kirk Franklin and Tye Tribbett.

Legacy

The song "How I Got Over" has had a lasting impact on Gospel music and American music as a whole, influencing a wide range of artists, including Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and Sam Cooke, who were all influenced by the African-American music tradition, including Blues music and Jazz music. The song's message of hope and perseverance has resonated with audiences around the world, making it a beloved classic of Gospel music, which has been featured at venues like the Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight, who have performed at venues like the Apollo Theater and the Greek Theatre. The song has also been recognized as a classic of American music and has been inducted into the National Recording Registry, which is administered by the Library of Congress and has also recognized other notable American music artists like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.

Cultural Impact

The song "How I Got Over" has had a significant cultural impact, reflecting the struggles and hardships faced by African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement, including the Birmingham Campaign and the Watts riots. The song's message of hope and perseverance has resonated with audiences, including those who attended Martin Luther King Jr.'s March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and the Selma to Montgomery Marches, where it was sung by artists like Harry Belafonte and Joan Baez. The song has also been featured in various Films and Television shows, including The Gospel at Colonus and Soul Food (TV series), which were produced by companies like HBO and Showtime. The song has been performed at various Festivals, including the Newport Jazz Festival and the Montreux Jazz Festival, which have featured performances by artists like James Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir. The song's cultural impact continues to be felt today, with its message of hope and perseverance remaining a powerful and enduring part of American music and Gospel music, which has been influenced by the African-American music tradition, including Blues music and Jazz music.

Category:Gospel music songs