7.1/1014 votes#1 - The Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 4/20/2017
Explore the music that kept the spirit of the civil rights movement alive following King’s death–from James Brown’s black power anthem, “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)” to Kendrick Lamar’s searing protest song, “Alright,” inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.5/1014 votes#2 - September 11th
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 4/27/2017
Explore songs associated with 9/11, including Billy Joel's “New York State of Mind,” which took on a new and heightened meaning. Also a look at how politically charged country music took center stage.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.2/1015 votes#3 - Kent State & The Vietnam War
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 5/4/2017
Following the killings of four Kent State University students during anti-Vietnam War protests, politically driven songs from Neil Young, Buffalo Springfield and others became popular.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.1/1014 votes#4 - Hurricane Katrina
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 5/11/2017
Following Hurricane Katrina, international artists from U2 to Kanye West joined New Orleans musicians in benefit concerts to help ensure the city’s rich traditions survived.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.1/1015 votes#5 - The Fall of the Berlin Wall
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 5/18/2017
The episode charts the course of the Cold War in Berlin through music revealing how it helped to sow the seeds of rebellion.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.2/1014 votes#6 - The Moon Landing
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 5/25/2017
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s moonwalk inspired musicians from David Bowie and the Byrds to Parliament-Funkadelic and Sun Ra to imagine a cosmic future for mankind.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.6/1013 votes#7 - Battle of the Sexes
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 6/1/2017
Billie Jean King’s win against Bobby Riggs in their famous tennis match was a galvanizing moment for the women’s movement and ushered in music that delivered messages of female empowerment.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.8/1017 votes#8 - The Stonewall Riots
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 6/8/2017
The episode tracks the beginning of the gay rights movement in America following the riots at Stonewall Inn and how music has played a vital role in celebrating and preaching tolerance of the LGBT community.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History Season 1
Every episode of Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History Season 1!
Explore the music tied to iconic moments in history, from the March on Washington to the riots at Stonewall, to the moon landing to Hurricane...
Genre:Documentary
Network:CNN
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"The Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr." is the best rated episode of "Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History" season 1. It scored 7.1/10 based on 14 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 4/20/2017. This episode is rated 0.6 points higher than the second-best, "September 11th".