Rosa Parks

Album: Aquemini (1998)
Charted: 55
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Rosa Parks is a black civil rights activist from Alabama famous for refusing to give up her seat on a bus. In 1955, while riding the bus home from work, the driver ordered her to move to the back of the bus so a white man could have her seat. She refused and was arrested. This led to outrage in the black community, who boycotted public transportation in the city of Montgomery. It was a turning point in the US civil rights movement, as after a year of boycotts, segregation on busses was ruled unconstitutional. During the boycotts, Martin Luther King Jr. emerged as a leader in the black community, and was praised for his tactics of peaceful civil disobedience.
  • The song is about the entertainment industry. Parks is not actually mentioned in the lyrics and has nothing to do with the song, but she is referred to in the chorus of "Move to the back of the bus."
  • Parks sued Outkast over this, claiming it exploited her image. The case was settled in 2005, with Outkast and their record company agreeing "To enlighten today's youth about the significant role Rosa Parks played in making America a better place for all races." Parks was 92 when the case was settled.
  • The harmonica solo is by Pastor Robert Hodo, the stepfather of Outkast's Andre 3000.
  • This plays in the ESPN 10-part documentary The Last Dance in a scene where Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls play the Atlanta Hawks in 1998. The song is appropriate to the era, and Outkast is from Atlanta, giving it a strong connection to the scene.

Comments: 3

  • Tiaunna from Perris, Carosa parks didnt sue them...it was her publicist or something that did! she didnt have nothing against them
  • Nicole from Los Angeles, Carosa parks name is actually mentioned in the song!
  • Ryan from San Francisco, Carosa parks is sort of a punk. she came and spoke at my college once and all she was interested in talking about was her book that she was pushing. every question anyone had she was all, 'yeah, just read my book.' then, lo and behold after we walked out of the auditorium, there was a table set up with dudes selling her book. whatever. i mean, huh?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

80s Music Quiz 1

80s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

MTV, a popular TV theme song and Madonna all show up in this '80s music quiz.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Evolution Of The Prince Symbol

Evolution Of The Prince SymbolSong Writing

The evolution of the symbol that was Prince's name from 1993-2000.

Joe Jackson

Joe JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Joe talks about the challenges of of making a Duke Ellington tribute album, and tells the stories behind some of his hits.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.