Martin Luther King, Jr. described “People Get Ready” as the unofficial anthem of the Civil Rights Movement. Written and recorded in 1965 by Curtis Mayfield, at the time a member of The Impressions, the song ranks  #24 on Rolling Stone magazine’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

Tomorrow kicks off the 50th anniversary of Black History Month, so it’s fitting to re-listen to the song and its message, especially amidst our politically tumultuous time.