Song by Song: "People Get Ready" Quiz

Answer: Curtis Mayfield

Born in 1942 in Chicago, Illinois, Curtis Mayfield was a songwriter, singer, and record producer. His albums include the self-titled "Curtis," "Roots," the "Super Fly" soundtrack, "Back to the World," and numerous others.

Rolling Stone magazine quotes Curtis Mayfield on the authoring of the song, saying he wrote it "in a deep mood, a spiritual state of mind."

Answer: The Impressions

The group was originally founded by Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks, and Arthur Brooks as the Roosters in Chattanooga, Tennessee. When they moved to Chicago, they added Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Bulter and became Jerry Butler & the Impressions. By the time the "People Get Ready" single was released, in January of 1965 by ABC-Paramount, the group consisted of Curtis Mayfield, Sam Gooden, and Fred Cash.

Answer: Martin Luther King, Jr.

The song was penned shortly before Martin Luther King, Jr.'s march on Chicago. Chicago was the hometown of the Impressions. According to Brad Erickson, writing for the Library of Congress, Martin Luther King, Jr. named the song "the unofficial anthem of the Civil Rights Movement and often used the song to get people marching or to calm and comfort them.

The racial subtext was obvious to African Americans and this encouraged Mayfield to write songs with explicit social messages."

Answer: Bob Marley

"One Love" was recorded by Bob Marley in 1965 in the ska-reggae style with The Wailers. It used some of the melody and lyrics of "People Get Ready." It was later retitled "One Love/People Get Ready" and co-writing credit was extended to Curtis Mayfield when it was included in later compilations and albums.

The single version released from Marley's 1977 studio album "Exodus" peaked at number 5 on the UK Singles chart and at number 2 on the Dutch Top 40. The Neville Brothers later did a cover of the Bob Marley's version.

Answer: Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart

This rock version of the song also reached number 48 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. In its 2004 list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time," Rolling Stone magazine ranked "People Get Ready" number 24. It also included the song on its list of the "100 Greatest Guitar Tracks," where it came in at number 20.

Answer: Flashback

The "Flashback" soundtrack included songs by Dylan, Steppenwolf, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, and others. Bob Dylan also recorded a version of the song with the Band. That version is included in "The Basement Tapes Complete," which was released as "Bootleg Series Volume 11" in 2014. Another live version of the song appeared in Bob Dylan's 1978 film "Renaldo and Clara".

Answer: baggage

The songwriter encourages people to leaver their "baggage" (troubles, worries, and past) behind as they board this train to change.

The Impressions single "People Get Ready," released from the album of the same name, was produced by Johnny Pate and spent eight weeks on the U.S. singles chart, peaking at the number three spot on the Billboard R&B Chart and number 14 on the Billboard Pop Chart. The B-side contained the song "I've Been Trying."

Answer: faith

"All you need is faith, to hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord."

This song, with its gospel roots, soon came to be included in songbooks in churches in Chicago. Rolling Stone magazine quotes civil rights activist Gordon Sellers describing the song thus: "It was warrior music. It was music you listened to while you were preparing to go into battle."

Answer: Jordan

"Jordan" features prominently in gospel music because the Israelites crossed the River Jordan to enter the Promised Land. When these songs mention Jordan, they are invoking an image of peace and paradise, of a land not yet realized but idealized.

The song continues:
"Faith is the key, open the doors and board 'em
There's hope for all, among those loved the most."

The Australian band Human Nature released a version of the song on their 1997 album "Telling Everybody."

Answer: throne

"There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Whom would hurt all mankind, just to save his own, believe me now
Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner
For there is no hiding place, against the kingdom's throne."

"People Get Ready" has been included on numerous lists and received several accolades. It was included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll." The song was selected for inclusion in the National Recording Registry in 2015 and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. The popular music magazine Mojo ranked "People Get Ready" number nine on its list of the "100 Greatest Songs of All Time" in August of 2000.