These are troubled times for our country and the world. It’s not the first time and won’t be the last. But it’s the first time since World War II the mess can be blamed on one man, the Kaiser Of Chaos. He’s lashing out because he finally understands how unpopular he is. Instead of dialing his excesses back, he’s doubled down on them. That makes this week’s tune more relevant and important than ever.

Sam Cooke wrote A Change Is Gonna Come in 1963. It quickly became one of the Civil Rights movement’s anthems.  The Insult Comedian hates the Civil Rights movement and has downgraded the MLK day holiday. It all comes down to racism for Donald Trump. He’s a small man in a big job.

Enough politics. We begin with the songwriter:

Aretha Franklin. Say no more.

Richard Manuel sang many wistful songs with The Band. This is one of them:

Billy Bragg puts a British working class spin on this week’s tune:

Tina Turner with Robert Cray: It doesn’t get better than this, y’all.

The Neville Brothers never shied away from politics, which gives their version of the Cooke classic added weight:

Next, New Orleans’ own Jon Boutte:

Finally, Bettye LaVette:

What would the Friday Cocktail Hour be without instrumental versions of the week’s tune? This time, David Fathead Newman followed by Bill Frisell:

That’s it for this week. Let’s toast the people of Minnesota who are non-violently fighting the good fight for the rest of us. It’s what Martin and Andrew would want. Never argue with them.