There are other threads about songs of the civil rights movement as such. In this thread, I hope to collect songs that treat the problem on a more personal, less political level.

You can hear this song at YouTube.


YOU CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE AFTER DARK
Maceo Pinkard
As sung by Alberta Hunter on "Alberta Hunter Vol. 4 (1927-c.1946)" - Document Records.

Look what the sun has done to me
It seems there's no more fun due me.
Why must all the boys act so shy?
I have guessed the reason why.

I may be as brown as a berry,
But that's only secondary,
And you can't tell the difference after dark.

I may not be so appealin',
But I've got that certain feelin',
And you can't tell the difference after dark.

They say that gentlemen prefer the blonde-haired ladies.
Tell me: am I out of style just because I'm slightly shady?

Wait until I've won ya,
And my love drops down upon ya.
You can't tell the difference after dark.

*
There are more recent recordings by—
Sure Thing on "Uptown & Down Home" (2006)
Joyce Cobb on "Beale Street Saturday Night" (2013)
Nina Van Horn on "Hell of a Woman" (2009)
Topsy Chapman and Magnolia Jazzband on "Fine and Mellow" (2000)