After a near shutout, the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots at Super Bowl LX to become the NFL Champions. The Super Bowl, of course, has become about much more than just football. Many viewers tune in just for the spectacular advertisements, and many more are there for the star-studded musical performances.
The halftime show featured Bad Bunny, who brought out special guest Lady Gaga, while the pre-show included Green Day, Brandi Carlile, and Charlie Puth. While every artist brought a special energy to the show, Coco Jones stunned the audience with a magnanimous rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Clearly, Jones poured her heart and soul into the song, which has historical significance. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is often referred to as “The Black National Anthem.” It was a hymn written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1900. His brother, John Rosamond Johnson, then composed music for the lyrics, and it received its first performance by a choir of 500 schoolchildren at the segregated Stanton School.
“At the turn of the 20th century, Johnson’s lyrics eloquently captured the solemn yet hopeful appeal for the liberty of Black Americans,” the NAACP website explains. “Set against the religious invocation of God and the promise of freedom, the song was later adopted by NAACP and prominently used as a rallying cry during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.”
The song became a staple of Super Bowl performances starting in 2021 with Alicia Keys. Jones consulted Keys about singing it before the big night.
“She just told me, ‘Don’t be nervous — be in the moment,’” Jones said. “That meant a lot coming from her.” Jones took heed by preparing by pure repetition, letting muscle memory take over when the pressure was on. “I try to overly practice,” she told WJTV. “When everything is second nature … I’m just a vessel.”
Her Super Bowl performance reflects the majesty and pride of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The “ICU” singer was clad in a white gown trimmed with red, black, and green sequins, the colors of the Pan-African flag. Behind her was a small string ensemble of violins, violas, and cellos.
The song’s arrangement opens with stirring strings that build anticipation, then drops in dynamics as Jones enters, creating a reverent feeling. Wind chimes add sparkle to the soundscape, while a deep, synth bass adds a modern R&B element.
As powerful as the arrangement is, it’s Jones’ full, resonant vocal delivery that steals the show. Her range is on full display, and her control is evident during the “Sing A Song” section. It’s normally sung in unison in choral arrangements, but Jones seems to cover a whole choir by herself. She then modulates up, adding dramatic effect to an already poignant song.
Discover the beauty of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” for yourself. Get the sheet music and play a piece of history.