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DNC 2020: John Legend and Common pay tribute to John Lewis with 'Glory', all interesting facts about 'Selma' track

The duo performed the Oscar-winning song 'Glory' from the 2014 movie 'Selma' at the DNC 2020. The song was in honor of the late Georgia Rep. John Lewis who died on July 17

John Legend and Common brought some 'Glory' to the Democratic National Convention 2020 on August 20 night, following an inspirational tribute to John Lewis.

Common donned a sharp navy blue suit and kicked off the performance, with Legend who was wearing a matching blue suit sitting and flexed his fingers at the piano. A gospel choir joined the two artists in the theater. The song was in honor of the late Georgia Rep. John Lewis who died on July 17 after a battle with pancreatic cancer and this was Legend's second performance of this year's DNC after he sang his song "Never Break" on August 18. The late Rep. Elijah Cummings, was heard in a pre-recorded video speaking about Lewis' life and legacy. Ambassador Andrew Young, Reverend James Lawson, Nancy Pelosi, Stacey Abrams, and Reverend Raphael Warnock were also heard in the video.

Soon people started sharing video clips of the duo performing 'Glory' on social media and reactions started pouring in as one user commented, "John Legend and Common. Glory. Truly Oscar Worthy. Great Performance," and another one said, "@johnlegend and @common knock it out of the park with the song "Glory." So beautiful, so powerful...it sings and speaks to the moment. Outstanding guys! Voices for our times!" While another 'Glory' fan commented, saying, "Absolutely gorgeous, John and Common. Thank you both so much. And please thank the choir. GLORY!"

In 2015 Oscars, Legend and Common's 'Glory' won the Best Song Oscar. The song won over 'Everything Is Awesome' from 'The Lego Movie'; 'Grateful' from 'Beyond the Lights'; 'I’m Not Gonna Miss You' from 'Glen Campbell … I’ll Be Me'; and 'Lost Stars' from 'Begin Again.' This song was the only nomination for the movie 'Selma' besides Best Picture as the Academy snubbed lead actor David Oyelowo and director Ava DuVernay. “Glory” played during the end credits of the film. 'Glory' was written by Legend, Common and Che “Rhymefest” Smith and produced by Legend. The song portrays the 1964 marches from Selma to Montgomery. Common also stars as civil rights leader James Bevel. Oyelowo, who played Martin Luther King Jr. in the film, was brought to tears following the performance.

According to an article by Variety, Common, in his acceptance speech referred to the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma the site of the 1965 attack by law enforcement on civil rights marchers — as “a symbol for change.” He added that the structure now “transcends race, religion, sexual orientation and social status.” "‘Selma’ is now because the struggle for justice is right now,” Legend said.

Legend also explained the song and the background to the listeners during his 2015 acceptance speech and said, "We wrote this song for a film that was based on events that were 50 years ago, but we say that Selma is now because the struggle for justice is right now,” Legend said in his acceptance speech. “We live in the most incarcerated country in the world. There are more black men under correctional control today than were under slavery in 1850. When people are marching with our song, we want to tell you, ‘We are with you. We see you. We love you. And march on.'