Sharp Notes Monday: ‘Black Day in July’

By Jandoli Institute on January 6, 2025 • ( 0 )

By Richard Lee

No, it’s not July, but Gordon Lightfoot’s “Black Day in July” fits the bill for the fourth anniversary of the 2021 insurrection.

Lightfoot wrote the song about the 1967 Detroit riots, which left 43 people dead, more than 1,000 injured, and an estimated $40 million in property damage.

Although the circumstances were much different from the events of Jan. 6, 2001, Lightfoot’s lyrics touch on topics and themes that Americans reflected on the in the aftermath of the insurrection with references to law and order, the media, the president and a plea for peace and calmness:

And you say, how did it happen?
And you say, how did it start?
Why can’t we all be brothers?
Why can’t we live in peace?

Today, as Congress certifies the electoral college votes from the 2024 presidential election, our choice for Sharp Notes Monday is a song about a dark day in America.

Richard Lee, executive director of the Jandoli Institute, is a former music journalist who often writes about the intersection of music and current events.

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As part of our “Sharp Notes, Sharp Thoughts” music and social media project, we share a song every Monday to start your week.

View previous Sharp Notes Monday selections.

Visit our “Sharp Notes, Sharp Thoughts” music and social justice page to learn more about the project and view videos of our presentations.