Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning jazz singer Samara Joy shows her versatility on her latest record “Why I’m Here.” The song is taken from Netflix’s forthcoming biopic Shirley, which chronicles Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm’s historic 1972 presidential bid and stars Regina King in the title role.
The battle hymn co-written by Samara and fellow SoulBounce fave PJ Morton celebrates the indomitable spirit of Chisholm, the first Black Congresswoman and a woman dead-set on changing the world. It fittingly opens with one word that sets the tone: “Fight!”
“Why I’m Here” is an impassioned ode to Chisholm’s resolve to fight for equality and freedom, no matter what it takes. “An easy road was never promised / And so much has been taken from us / But I won’t stop no matter how much I have to go through / I won’t shed one tear / I know why I’m here,” Samara sings, confident and defiant on the first verse.
As the song builds, a choir joins her on background vocals. Joy deftly navigates high and low notes while singing, “The future is in our hands / Now’s the time to stand / Together we’ll pave the way / Those who walk by faith / With their heads held high / Have the power to change the world,” accompanied by the choir’s harmonious voices.
Samara Joy’s pristine vocals and the song’s instrumentation are both powerful and compelling. The track evokes an image of the iconic politician standing on the shoulders of those who came before her as she marches on for those who will come after her. While the piano, strings and horns set the cadence for the march, signaling that the journey may be long, but it will be worth it.
“Bending but never broken / Knocked down but I keep going / I’ve decided to stand my ground / I will not be moved / And I have no fear / I know why I’m here,” Joy sings on the chorus, echoing Chisholm’s dogged determination as even now we press on.
If you don’t have chills listening to this track and aren’t inspired by it, we don’t know what to tell you! We can’t wait to see Black Girl Magic unfold as the amazing Regina King and director John Ridley bring the story of Shirley Chisholm’s audacious presidential bid to life in Shirley when it premieres on Netflix on Friday, March 22nd.
Listen to Samara Joy’s stunning turn on “Why I’m Here” below. After giving the song a spin, watch the Shirley trailer with its talented supporting cast including Lance Reddick, Dorian Crossmond Missick, Amirah Vann and Terrence Howard, among others.
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