The Langston Hughes poem, Mother to Son perfectly depicts the African-American struggle to climb upward toward a better future. In the poem, Mother challenges Son, “Don’t you set down on the steps / ‘Cause you finds it’s kinder hard. / Don’t you fall now- / For I’se still goin’, honey, / I’se still climbin’, / And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair”. Just like Mother, prior to 1998, most African-Americans were metaphorically reaching higher and taking broad strides forward in order to move closer to the American dream. And then, something amazing happened. An African-American songwriter helped to change the outlook of not just the African-American community but that of the entire world. I Believe I Can Fly by R. Kelly helped to shift a generation from a perspective of trying to climb higher, to believing they can fly. Whatever one might think about R. Kelly in regards to his personal life, it must be acknowledged that with the stroke of a pen, he single handedly changed the philosophy within the African-American community. With five simple words, the millennials were handed brand new lenses from which to view the future. The obstacles did not change, but the perspective did.
Dealing with depression is a tremendous obstacle. Depression impacts every area of a person’s life. Sometimes, just getting out of bed is an accomplishment. I most certainly can relate to the heaviness of the weight of depression and how that weight might seem to immobilize a person. But even when I feel my worse, I press on to fly! I often have to challenge myself to not only press forward but to also press upward. Each day I strive to go higher and higher. What do I mean by that? By going higher, I elevate my mind above whatever impasse might be before me. I attempt to rise above the simple, petty small matters that often serve as distractions. I even say it all the time, “I’m so high”. But, it’s not just me who has caught on to the R. Kelly mantra. So many musical artists have done the same. Jay-Z is always asking for “some place to land”, and John Legend has several songs where he takes love up high and gets us lifted. There are even a few oldies but goodies that fit into a “flying high” category.
I find myself being drawn to songs that mirror the theme of I Believe I Can Fly. They are encouraging. One cannot help but feel better after listening to inspiring words of hope and freedom. For this post, I would like to share a few of my favorite I Believe I Can Fly themed songs from gospel, hip hop as well as pop and R&B (current and old school). This message translates across every genre. Look at the list below. Choose a song; listen and allow it to take you higher! I also want to encourage you to share your favorite(s) to our Facebook page, and feel free to mention songs that are not on my list. Let’s continue to look up and press on together!
Gospel
Get Up by Mary Mary
I Win by Marvin Sapp
Moving Forward (Unplugged) by Israel Houghton
No Matter How High I Get by Luther Barnes & the Red Budd Gospel Choir
Hip Hop
Blessings by Big Sean ft. Drake & Kanye West
Dark Sky (Skyscrapers) (Explicit) by Big Sean
Lift Off by Jay-Z & Kanye West ft. Beyonce
Pop/ R&B
Love Lifts Us Up Where We Belong by Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes
Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler
So High (With Lyrics) by John Legend