I wanted to do something different on the day before Independence Day. This song has fewer versions than the typical Friday Cocktail Hour tune but it packs a punch. It would make a helluva campaign theme song for 2026.

Everybody Oughta Make A Change was written in 1938 by Sleepy John Estes, a Tennessee bluesman. Presumably, he wrote it while wide awake.

This week’s songs are NOT in chronological order. Why? The second version is the only reason I know it, that’s why. Thanks, EC.

We begin with the songwriter.

This week’s song kicked off Eric Clapton’s 1983 album Money and Cigarettes:

Taj Mahal tweaked the title when he recorded this week’s tune:

Here’s a live solo acoustic version from Corey Harris with Taj’s tweaked title:

Finally, a 21st Century version by Sam Jefferson, not to be confused with Thomas:

That’s it for this week. Let’s toast change. It’s what my favorite candidate in the 2026 cycle would want. Never argue with Georgia Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff: