From songs of the Underground Railroad to soul-stirring anthems we all know by heart, the music of Juneteenth is a celebration of Black freedom, resilience, and joy.
– KEYS SOULCARE
Juneteenth (June 19th) is a holiday that commemorates the day when slavery officially ended in the United States in the state of Texas on June 19, 1865. Though the Emancipation Proclamation was issued two years earlier in 1863, word traveled slowly. It took years for many people to hear the news about their own freedom. Over time, June 19th became a day of commemoration and celebration.
Today, the federal holiday of Juneteenth allows us to reckon with the course of history, honor centuries of ancestral wisdom, and connect with one another.
We want to honor the legacy of this powerful holiday by turning to the voices and sounds that have shaped generations. Whether you’re hosting a gathering, enjoying a moment of self-care, or simply reflecting on the significance of the day, may this curated list of Juneteenth songs, sounds, and their stories remind us of how freedom is hard-won — and well worth fighting for.
SONGS OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
The freedom songs and hymns of the Underground Railroad are an unforgettable piece of American history. Here are two songs that carried deep significance in the movement, and helped lead countless lives to freedom.
“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”
It’s said that “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” was Harriet Tubman’s favorite song, and it’s a deeply significant relic of the Underground Railroad. The song’s coded means were considered a sign that the conductors and agents of the Underground Railroad were near to help people make an escape and head North.
“Follow the Drinkin’ Gourd”
Another folk song that used coded meanings is “Follow the Drinkin’ Gourd,” which references the Big Dipper and the North Star, providing hidden directions in its lyrics to help slaves escape.
SONGS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Juneteenth music draws deep inspiration from the anthems of the Civil Rights Movement — songs that gave voice to struggle, strength, and the collective hope for justice.
“I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free” by Nina Simone
This soulful, yearning ballad — well known and associated with Nina Simone’s timeless rendition — became a powerful expression of longing for liberation and equality during the Civil Rights movement. Its message remains as urgent and inspiring today as it was decades ago.
“A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke
Often described as the unofficial anthem of the Civil Rights Movement, this song captures both sorrow and hope, making it a must-have in any Juneteenth playlist.
SIGNIFICANT SONGS BY TODAY’S BLACK ARTISTS
Some of today’s biggest contemporary hits are songs of Black celebration and resilience, and have become official — and unofficial — anthems of the social justice movements of our era.
Alicia Keys Sings “Lift Every Voice & Sing”
Our Goddess-In-Chief Alicia Keys inspires us on the daily, but her rendition of the Black National Album “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is particularly moving. This hymn was written by James Weldon Johnson in 1900, and became an anthem of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s.
Alicia said this about the song: “Singing this song has me all in my feelings! You mean so much to me! We are strong, resilient and powerful.”
“Alright” by Kendrick Lamar
In 2015, ten years before his iconic Super Bowl HalfTime performance, Kendrick Lamar released “Alright,” which quickly became an anthem of the early days of the Black Lives Matter movement starting at a protest against police brutality in Cleveland, Ohio.
“Four hundred years ago, as slaves, we prayed and sang joyful songs to keep our heads level-headed with what was going on,” Lamar said. “Four hundred years later, we still need that music to heal. And I think that ‘Alright’ is definitely one of those records that makes you feel good no matter what the times are.”
“Black Parade” by Beyonce
Beyonce’s “Black Parade” pays homage to her Southern heritage as a born-and-raised Houstonite. It was released on Juneteenth in 2020 in response to the death of George Floyd and as a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement.
On her website as part of the song launch, she wrote: “Being Black is your activism. Black excellence is a form of protest. Black joy is your right.”
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