It is regarded as a defining jazz protest anthem of the late 1960s.

"Compared to What" is a seminal jazz-soul protest song written by Eugene McDaniels in 1966. It serves as a caustic critique of social inequality, the Vietnam War, and moral hypocrisy in American society. While first recorded in 1966, its most famous rendition is the 1969 live performance by Les McCann and Eddie Harris. 1. Origin and Context Written by Eugene McDaniels in 1966.

The song has been covered by more than 270 artists by 2011, including famous versions by Ray Charles and Roberta Flack.

Addresses the gap between the myth of equality and the reality of poverty.

This report analyzes the seminal 1966 protest song , written by Eugene McDaniels and famously performed by Les McCann and Eddie Harris. Executive Summary: "Compared to What"