People Get Ready
"People Get Ready" was a 1965 single by The Impressions, and the title track from the album of the same name. The single is today the group's best-known hit, reaching number-three on the Billboard R&B Chart and number 14 on the Billboard Pop Chart. The gospel-influenced track was a Curtis Mayfield composition, and displayed the growing sense of social and political awareness in his writing.
Rolling Stone magazine named "People Get Ready" the 24th greatest song of all time. The song was included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
Cover versions
It has been covered by many musicians, including Bob Marley (as "One Love"), Vanilla Fudge, Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart (this version reached #45 in the US), Phil Collins, Jimmy Little, Eva Cassidy, (həd) pe, John Denver, Steve Perry, U2, Aretha Franklin, The Housemartins, Margaret Becker, The Chambers Brothers, John Oates, The Meters, Human Nature, Alicia Keys and Lyfe Jennings, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Taylor Hicks and Ed Motta. Christian band NewSong and the widely celebrated Soultones have also done their version of the song, with slightly modified lyrics. John Mayer's "Waiting on the World to Change" is set to the same chord progression and instrumental rhythm.
Bob Dylan also covered the song. His version was released in 1978 on a four song promotional record for his film Renaldo and Clara. His cover version was one of the 42 rarities on the iTunes anthology of Dylan's output.