AN UNBIASED VIEW OF GREATEST SONG EVER

On October 8th, 1963, although on tour, Cooke and associates of his entourage have been arrested in Shreveport, Louisiana, for disturbing the peace after they made an effort to sign up in a white motel — an incident reflected inside the song’s 3rd verse. And Cooke’s mourning for his 18-month-aged son, Vincent, who drowned that June, resonates