A Change Is Gonna Come

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**A Change Is Gonna Come** is a 1964 song originally by American singer Sam Cooke, and is the fourth track on Greta Van Fleet's double EP, *From the Fires*.

## Background

The song is one of the newest on the band's second studio EP, *From the Fires*, along with other cover song, *Meet on the Ledge*. Was originally written and recorded in 1964 by Sam Cooke, who was an American singer, songwriter, civil-rights activist and entrepreneur. On an interview to Go Venue Magazine, Jake Kiszka said him and Josh always wanted to do a cover of the song, and it was an appropriate time to record and release a song with that type of gravity due reflection of the times. Danny Wagner added, "it was a song that not only provides a nostalgic listening experience for us, but also displays a message that we felt was very pertinent to society and to us as human beings."

About the choir in the song, Jake said having the full chorus would honor the song's meaning and showcase the band's soul influences. To achieve the choir effects, the group got assistance of producer Herschel Boone and his wife, Danny stated, "[...] We all knew what we wanted as the end result of the song, but we didn’t rush any parts. We actually are very good friends with backing vocalist for Kid Rock Herschel Boone. Herschel and his wife came in to the studio and tracked multiple parts to create that full choir/chorus sound. It was very incredible to experience!"

## About the song

The song has soul and blues rock influences. Danny explained the song "also reflects a lot of the soul aspect in our musical influences."

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1]**
I was born by the river
In a little tent
And just like the river, baby
I've been running ever since

**[Chorus]**
It's been a long,
Long time coming
And I know
Change is gonna come

**[Verse 2]**
It's been too hard living
But I'm afraid to die
Cause I don't know what's up there, baby
Beyond the sky

**[Chorus]**
It's been a long,
Long time coming
And I know
Change is gonna come

**[Bridge]**
Well, I go down to my brother
And I say
Brother, help me breathe (brother, help me breathe)
But he winds up
Knocking me back down
On my knees, yeah
Yeah!

**[Verse 3]**
There'd been times where I thought I
Couldn't last for long
Now I think I'm able
To carry on

**[Chorus]**
It's been a long, (it's been a long)
Long time coming
And I know
Change is gonna come
Oh yes it will

It's been a long,
Long time coming
And I know
Change is gonna come
Oh yes it will

Well, it's been a long,
long time coming
And I know
Change is gonna come, change
I know it, I know it, I know, I know, I know
Change, change is gonna come
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

## Critical Reception

*Spill Magazine* praised the song, saying, "Greta Van Fleet’s performance of the iconic track, however, is anything but unfortunate as the band channel a strong gospel inspiration to deliver one of the strongest ballads I have heard from an up– and coming- rock band."

## References

1. ↑ https://www.govenuemagazine.com/interview-jake-kiszka-and-danny-wagner-of-greta-van-fleet/
2. ↑ https://www.govenuemagazine.com/interview-jake-kiszka-and-danny-wagner-of-greta-van-fleet/
3. ↑ https://www.govenuemagazine.com/interview-jake-kiszka-and-danny-wagner-of-greta-van-fleet/
4. ↑ http://spillmagazine.com/spill-album-review-greta-van-fleet-fires/