Artist: The Carpenters Originally written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, "Close To You" was one of the most beloved songs in the '70s. The lyrics depict unrequited love — a longing to be close ...

And what better way to do that than through music? From '70s soul to hip-hop, Black artists have created songs that not only depict their lives, but also inspire social change. Check out this list ...