This is a mini-but-mighty In The Groove, because we lost some of the show to special coverage of President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

And the only real way I knew how to follow that was with songs of protest, songs of civil rights and songs of resistance. You’ll find those below, starting off with Willie Dunn’s arresting “I Pity The Country” (from this excellent compilation of overlooked indigenous music) to Pops Staples (one of the most prolific gospel artists, patriarch of the Staple Singers, who also served as MLK’s warm-up band) and wrapping up with Nina Simone’s “Why? (The King of Love Is Dead),” written and performed just three days after the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for Jan. 20, 2025

• “I Pity The Country” – Willie Dunn
• “No News Is Good News” – Pops Staples
• “You Haven’t Done Nothin’” – Stevie Wonder
• “Whitey on the Moon” – Gil Scott Heron
• “Ohio / Machine Gun” – Isley Brothers
• “War Pigs” – Black Sabbath
• “Young, Gifted, Black, In Leather” – Special Interest
• “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today) [Alternate Mix]” – Temptations
• “Mississippi Goddam” – Nina Simone
• “Hard Times” – Baby Huey & The Baby Sitters
• “Politicians In My Eyes” – Death
• “(Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going To Go” – Curtis Mayfield
• “Why? (The King of Love Is Dead) [Live]” – Nina Simone

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.