[2] By 1969, Johnson had achieved several modest chart successes with songs on traditional themes of romance and relationships, but his marriage had ended, his established backing band had split up, and he was increasingly motivated by the social and economic challenges of American society.

Together with horn players Michael Davis and alto saxist Jerry Wilson, the musicians adopted the group name The Pieces of Peace, and toured with Johnson.

Journalist Lanre Bakare wrote: "The main lyric from this song has taken on a life of its own and is a phrase that means so much in the American context.

"[5] Robert Pruter described the song as "superbly arranged and produced...[in which] Johnson's plaintive vocals evoked the moodiness of this lamentation over the struggle of being black.

[3] The song "Is It Because I'm Black" was later recorded by singers Ken Boothe and Delroy Wilson in Jamaica, and Johnson's recording has been sampled by musicians including the Wu-Tang Clan,[4] and the singer's daughter Syleena Johnson for her song "Color Of My Tears" from her ninth studio album Legacy (2024).