Glory cover

Glory

Common · 2014

4 min · 1 track · contemporary R&B

A poignant blend of soulful melodies and stirring lyrics that evoke the struggle for justice and equality.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Glory (From the Motion Picture "Selma") — This track encapsulates the emotional gravity of the civil rights movement, marrying Common's reflective lyricism with John Legend's soaring vocals to create a timeless anthem for change.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The single blends orchestral and hip-hop elements, showcasing strong writing and production but limited impact.

What we noticed

  • The track features a gradual build-up with layered instrumentation that crescendos towards the end.
  • Common's vocal delivery alternates between spoken word and melodic phrasing, creating a dynamic flow throughout the piece.
  • The arrangement incorporates orchestral elements alongside hip-hop beats, blending genres effectively.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — Achieved wide recognition, winning an Academy Award and resonating culturally.
Career context
By the time Common released 'Glory' in December 2014, he was an established artist with a career spanning over two decades. This song marked a significant moment as it was written for the film 'Selma,' intertwining his musical artistry with powerful social commentary during his artistic renaissance following albums like 'Nobody's Smiling' and 'Black America Again.'
Stylistic neighbors
Q-Tip· Anderson .Paak· Erykah Badu

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Glory (From the Motion Picture "Selma") 4:32

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata