Amen Break listening guide

A sampler of the most-sampled recording in history

In Advanced Pop Transcription class, we are entering the part of the semester where we turn our focus away from notes and rhythms and toward sound. One of the most important sounds in the past five decades of dance and hip-hop is the Amen break. In this post, I give context for the break and highlight some noteworthy usages over the past four decades.

Wings Over Jordan Choir - “Amen Amen Amen” (1953)

The story begins with a traditional hymn that’s familiar to choral singers as a vocal warmup. I have seen it credited to Jester Hairston, but it’s unclear whether it’s his original composition, or whether he arranged it from a folkloric source.

The Impressions - “Amen” (1964)

The song got a boost in popularity when The Impressions recorded it for the soundtrack to the Sidney Poitier film Lilies of the Field.

The Winstons - “Amen Brother” (1969)

The Winstons included an instrumental arrangement of “Amen” on the B-side of their single release, “Color Him Father.” They may have been inspired to do the song when they played as a backing band for the Impressions. The famous drum break comes at 1:26. The band broke up the following year.