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Message in the Music

southernhybrid

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The O'Jays used the term "message in the music" as a way of stating political or social concepts in some of the hit songs, so considering what's going on in the world and the country, as well as being nostalgic for the music of my youth and young adulthood, I'm going to try and post some lyrics with links to songs that fit this idea. While most of mine will be from the genre of Soul, please add your favorites, while explaining a bit about them.

I'll start with "A Change is gonna come", originally done by Sam Cooke. I read it was controversial as Cooke was trying to express how hard it was being a poor Black man, but I also remember it was a huge hit in NJ, when I was a teenager. I made a copy of it on CD for a friend's father who is a Black preacher. He said it was his favorite song. But, I do wonder when if change is ever going to come.

https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/163708/Sam+Cooke/A+Change+Is+Gonna+Come#google_vignette

I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh and just like the river I've been running ev'r since
It's been a long time, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die
'Cause I don't know what's up there, beyond the sky
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

I go to the movie and I go downtown
Somebody keep tellin' me don't hang around
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

Then I go to my brother
And I say brother help me please
But he winds up knockin' me
Back down on my knees, oh

There have been times that I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will

I'm going to try and use lyrics.com as there is a video of each song if anyone wants to listen to them.
 
Next up is Stevie Wonder's. "Living for the City" It was from the early 70s, again about the struggles of poor Black folks. It was a big hit in NYC among other places.

A boy is born in hard time Mississippi
Surrounded by four walls that ain't so pretty
His parents give him love and affection
To keep him strong, moving in the right direction
Living just enough, just enough for the city

His father works some days for fourteen hours
And you can bet, he barely makes a dollar
His mother goes to scrub the floors for many
And you'd best believe, she hardly gets a penny
Living just enough, just enough for the city (Yeah)

His sister's black, but she is sure 'nough pretty
Her skirt is short, but Lord her legs are sturdy
To walk to school, she's got to get up early
Her clothes are old, but never are they dirty
Living just enough, just enough for the city (Mm)

Her brother's smart, he's got more sense than many
His patience's long, but soon he won't have any
To find a job is like a haystack needle
'Cause where he lives they don't use colored people
Living just enough, just enough for the city (Yeah)

(Living just enough for the city)
Living for the city, yeah
(Oh, living just enough for the city)
Ain't nothing but a city
(Oh, living just enough for the city)
Living for the city, yeah yeah
(Oh, living just enough for the city)
Nothing but a city
(Oh, living just enough for the city)
Live for the city, yeah yeah

https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/35337783/Stevie+Wonder/Living+for+the+City#google_vignette
 
https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/4301940/The+O'Jays/For+the+Love+of+Money

From 1974, the hit, For the Love of Money by the O'jays. This one needs no explanation

Some people got to have it
Some people really need it
Listen to me y'all, do things, do things, do bad things with it
You want to do things, do things, do things, good things with it
Talk about cash money, money
Talk about cash money, dollar bills, y'all

For the love of money
People will steal from their mother
For the love of money
People will rob their own brother
For the love of money
People can't even walk the street
Because they never know who in the world they're gonna beat
For that lean, mean, mean green
Almighty dollar, money

For the love of money
People will lie, Lord, they will cheat
For the love of money
People don't care who they hurt or beat
For the love of money
A woman will sell her precious body
For a small piece of paper it carries a lot of weight
Call it lean, mean, mean green
 
https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/920147/War/The+World+Is+a+Ghetto

Right now, it looks like the world is becoming a ghetto in a lot of places. This one is from 1976 by War.

Walkin' down the street, smoggy-eyed
Looking at the sky, starry-eyed
Searchin' for the place, weary-eyed
Crying in the night, teary-eyed

Don't you know that it's true
That for me and for you
The world is a ghetto

Don't you know that it's true
That for me and for you
The world is a ghetto

Wonder when I'll find paradise
Somewhere there's a home, sweet and nice
Wonder if I'll find happiness
Never give it up now I guess

Don't you know that it's true
That for me and for you
The world is a ghetto

Don't you know that it's true
That for me and for you
The world is a ghetto

Don't you know that it's true
That for me and for you
The world is a ghetto
 
https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/174226/War

Speaking of war, this was a big hit during the Viet Nam War, by The Temptations in 1969. Still true today, sadly.

War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again, why'all

War, huh, good god
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing, listen to me

Oh, war, I despise
'Cause it means destruction of innocent lives

War means tears to thousands of mothers eyes
When their sons go to fight
And lose their lives

I said, war, huh good god, why'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing say it again
 
Seems as appropriate today as back in the 60s.....

The Merry Minuet



They're rioting in Africa. They're starving in Spain.
There's hurricanes in Florida and Texas needs rain.
The whole world is festering with unhappy souls.
The French hate the Germans. The Germans hate the Poles.
Italians hate Yugoslavs. South Africans hate the Dutch.
And I don't like anybody very much!
But we can be tranquil and thankful and proud
For man's been endowed with a mushroom shaped cloud.
And we know for certain that some lovely day
Someone will set the spark off and we will all be blown away.
They're rioting in Africa. There's strife in Iran.
What nature doesn't do to us will be done by our fellow man.
 
Seems as appropriate today as back in the 60s.....

The Merry Minuet



They're rioting in Africa. They're starving in Spain.
There's hurricanes in Florida and Texas needs rain.
The whole world is festering with unhappy souls.
The French hate the Germans. The Germans hate the Poles.
Italians hate Yugoslavs. South Africans hate the Dutch.
And I don't like anybody very much!
But we can be tranquil and thankful and proud
For man's been endowed with a mushroom shaped cloud.
And we know for certain that some lovely day
Someone will set the spark off and we will all be blown away.
They're rioting in Africa. There's strife in Iran.
What nature doesn't do to us will be done by our fellow man.
Yeah. That's my point. All those songs gave us hope that "a change is gonna come" but we're still waiting for that change. Now, it's looking worse than ever. :cry:
 
Another one from back in the day. It's a great song from Curtis Mayfield about drugs and life in the ghetto, and sadly it still rings true these days.

https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/7239273/Curtis+Mayfield/Pusher+Man

I'm your mama, I'm your daddy
I'm that nigga in the alley
I'm your doctor, when in need
Want some coke, have some weed
You know me, I'm your friend
Your main boy, thick and thin
I'm your pusherman
I'm your pusherman

Ain't I clean, bad machine
Super cool, super mean
Feelin' good, for the man
Superfly, here I stand
Secret stash, heavy bread
Baddest bitches, in the bed

I'm your pusherman
I'm your pusherman
I'm your pusherman

Solid life, of crime
A man of odd circumstance
A victim of ghetto demands
Feed me money for style
And I'll let you trip for a while
Insecure from the past
How long can a good thing last
Woohoo, no
Got to be mellow, y'all
Gotta get mellow now
Pusherman gettin' mellow y'all

Heavy mind, every sign
Makin' money all the time
My LD, and just me
For all junkies to see
Ghetto prince is my thing
Makin' love's how I swing
I'm your pusherman
I'm your pusherman
 
https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2598828/Bob Dylan/Masters of War

Switching genres over to Bob Dylan. Here's another anti war song from the 60s that I once listened to often.

Come you masters of war
You that build the big guns
You that build the death planes
You that build all the bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain

You fasten all the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you sit back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
While the young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud
 
Pete Seeger wrote this. Melanie sang a shorter version, and that's the version I know.

My Rainbow Race

One blue sky above us
One ocean lapping all our shores
One earth, so green and round
Who could ask for more?

And because I love you
I'll give it one more try
To show my rainbow race
It's too soon to die

Some folks want to be like an ostrich
Bury their heads in the sand.
Some hope for plastic dreams
To unclench all those greedy hands.
Some want to take the easy way,
Poisons and bombs, they think we need 'em
But don't they know
You can't kill all the unbelievers
There's no shortcut to freedom.

(Repeat first 2 verses.)
 
Sadly, this one done by Rick James around 1981 still rings true these days.


https://www.elyrics.net/read/r/rick-james-lyrics/mr.-policeman-lyrics.html

Hey Mr. Policeman
I've seen you in my neighborhood
You look to me up to no good
I've seen you with your gun in your hand
Hey Mr. Policeman
I saw you shoot my good friend down
He was just havin' fun
Checkin' out a one & one
It's a shame and disgrace
Everytime you show your face
Somebody dies man
La la la la la la la la la
Hey Mr. Policeman
Why don't you leave the boys alone
Why don't you just roll your own
And call me on the telephone
Hey Mr. Policeman
I see you walkin' on your beat
Searchin' strangers on the street
Especially the whores you meet
It's a shame such a disgrace
 
Sadly, this one done by Rick James around 1981 still rings true these days.


https://www.elyrics.net/read/r/rick-james-lyrics/mr.-policeman-lyrics.html

Hey Mr. Policeman
I've seen you in my neighborhood
You look to me up to no good
I've seen you with your gun in your hand
Hey Mr. Policeman
I saw you shoot my good friend down
He was just havin' fun
Checkin' out a one & one
It's a shame and disgrace
Everytime you show your face
Somebody dies man
La la la la la la la la la
Hey Mr. Policeman
Why don't you leave the boys alone
Why don't you just roll your own
And call me on the telephone
Hey Mr. Policeman
I see you walkin' on your beat
Searchin' strangers on the street
Especially the whores you meet
It's a shame such a disgrace
Rick James pointing out bad behavior by others is a little rich. The dude was a good example of how NOT to live your life. Read his Wikipedia bio if you have the stomach for the details.

Rolling Stones had a song with a similar theme that I think is one of their best, very underrated songs. I'll link to the video, rather than just the words:

 
Last edited:
Seems as appropriate today as back in the 60s.....

The Merry Minuet



They're rioting in Africa. They're starving in Spain.
There's hurricanes in Florida and Texas needs rain.
The whole world is festering with unhappy souls.
The French hate the Germans. The Germans hate the Poles.
Italians hate Yugoslavs. South Africans hate the Dutch.
And I don't like anybody very much!
But we can be tranquil and thankful and proud
For man's been endowed with a mushroom shaped cloud.
And we know for certain that some lovely day
Someone will set the spark off and we will all be blown away.
They're rioting in Africa. There's strife in Iran.
What nature doesn't do to us will be done by our fellow man.
Yeah. That's my point. All those songs gave us hope that "a change is gonna come" but we're still waiting for that change. Now, it's looking worse than ever. :cry:
I see it as prognoses being made. NATO and the EU are new concepts as is western liberal democracy. That there has been no large scale war in Europe since WWII is historically amazing. The peace is being threatened by Putin and China.

The battle for western democracy did not end with WWII and the Cold War.

There was the commercialization of protest and commentary lie Dylan, and here were those like Pete Seeger.

Wait Deep In The Big Muddy, the Big Muddy being the Mekong River in Vietnam. The Big Fool beng LBJ.



It was back in nineteen forty-two,
I was a member of a good platoon.
We were on maneuvers in-a Louisiana,
One night by the light of the moon.
The captain told us to ford a river,
That's how it all begun.
We were -- knee deep in the Big Muddy,
But the big fool said to push on.
The Sergeant said, "Sir, are you sure,
This is the best way back to the base?"
"Sergeant, go on! I forded this river
'Bout a mile above this place.
It'll be a little soggy but just keep slogging.
We'll soon be on dry ground."
We were, waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool said to push on.
The Sergeant said, "Sir, with all this equipment
No man will be able to swim."
"Sergeant, don't be a Nervous Nellie, "
The Captain said to him.
"All we need is a little determination;
Men, follow me, I'll lead on."
We were, neck deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool said to push on.
All at once, the moon clouded over,
We heard a gurgling cry.
A few seconds later, the captain's helmet
Was all that floated by.
The Sergeant said, "Turn around men!
I'm in charge from now on."
And we just made it out of the Big Muddy
With the captain dead and gone.
We stripped and dived and found his body
Stuck in the old quicksand.
I guess he didn't know that the water was deeper
Than the place he'd once before been.
Another stream had joined the Big Muddy
'Bout a half mile from where we'd gone.
We were lucky to escape from the Big Muddy
When the big fool said to push on.
Well, I'm not going to point any moral,
I'll leave that for yourself
Maybe you're still walking, you're still talking
You'd like to keep your health.
But every time I read the papers
That old feeling comes on;
We're, waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on.
Waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on.
Waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on.
Waist deep! Neck deep! Soon even a
Tall man'll be over his head, we're
Waist deep in the Big Muddy!
And the big fool says to push on!

And Eve Of Destruction

The Eastern world, it is explodin'
Violence flarin', bullets loadin'
You're old enough to kill but not for votin'
You don't believe in war, but what's that gun you're totin'?
And even the Jordan river has bodies floatin'
But you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
How you don't believe
We're on the eve of destruction
Don't you understand what I'm trying to say
Can't you feel the fears I'm feeling today?
If the button is pushed, there's no runnin' away
There'll be no one to save with the world in a grave
Take a look around you boy, it's bound to scare you, boy
And you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
How you don't believe
We're on the eve of destruction
Yeah, my blood's so mad, feels like coagulatin'
I'm sittin' here just contemplatin'
I can't twist the truth, it knows no regulation
Handful of senators don't pass legislation
And marches alone can't bring integration
When human respect is disintegratin'
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin'
And you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
How you don't believe
We're on the eve of destruction
And think of all the hate there is in Red China
Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama
Ah, you may leave here for four days in space
But when you return, it's the same old place
The poundin' of the drums, the pride and disgrace
You can bury your dead, but don't leave a trace
Hate your next door neighbor but don't forget to say grace
And you tell me
Over and over and over and over again, my friend
You don't believe we're on the eve of destruction
 
I always like this one. Not the conspiracy theories parts but you get the general message.

 
Btw, all all of my links include a small video if anyone wants to listen to the song.

https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2490005

Curtis Mayfield
Keep on Keeping On

Everybody gather round and listen to my song
I've only got one

We who are young, should now take a stand
Don't run from the burdens of women and men
Continue to give, continue to live
For what you know is right

Most of your life can be out of sight
Withdraw from the darkness and look to the light
Where everyone's free
At least that's the way it's supposed to be

We just keep on keeping on
We just keep on keeping on

Many think that we have blown it
But they too will soon admit
That there's still a lot of love among us

And there's still a lot of faith and warmth and trust
When we keep on keeping on

Before we dismiss, one thing I insist
When you have your young, remember this song
And our world surroundings, its leaps and bounds
Ups and downs, is reality

Teach them to be strong, and when they are grown
They can proudly imply that we were an alright guy
For all the wrong now is right
This nation's people are now united as one

And we just keep on keeping on
We just keep on keeping on

Many think that we have blown it
But they too will soon admit
That there's still a lot of love among us

And there's still a lot of faith, warmth, and trust
When we keep on keeping on

Keep on keeping on, y'all
Keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on
Keep on, keeping on
We sure need that one these days.
 
Sadly, this one done by Rick James around 1981 still rings true these days.


https://www.elyrics.net/read/r/rick-james-lyrics/mr.-policeman-lyrics.html

Hey Mr. Policeman
I've seen you in my neighborhood
You look to me up to no good
I've seen you with your gun in your hand
Hey Mr. Policeman
I saw you shoot my good friend down
He was just havin' fun
Checkin' out a one & one
It's a shame and disgrace
Everytime you show your face
Somebody dies man
La la la la la la la la la
Hey Mr. Policeman
Why don't you leave the boys alone
Why don't you just roll your own
And call me on the telephone
Hey Mr. Policeman
I see you walkin' on your beat
Searchin' strangers on the street
Especially the whores you meet
It's a shame such a disgrace
Rick James pointing out bad behavior by others is a little rich. The dude was a good example of how NOT to live your life. Read his Wikipedia bio if you have the stomach for the details.

Rolling Stones had a song with a similar theme that I think is one of their best, very underrated songs. I'll link to the video, rather than just the words:


Yes. Rick James was a real asshole and so was James Brown and quite a few other creative people, but this thread is about their music, not their personality traits. In fact, I watched the documentary about Rick James, so I am very well aware of what kind of man his was, but he still created some great funk.
 
https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/27582191/Caravan+of+Love#google_vignette

Caravan of Love by The Isley Brtothers is of my favorite songs. Yes. It's extremely idealistic, but it always soothes me in difficult times to imagine such a world. Lovely harmony, soothing melody and beautiful lyrics.

Are you ready for the time of your life
It's time to stand up and fight(It's alright) It's alright (It's alright, it's alright)
Hand in hand we'll take a caravan
To the motherland

One by one we're gonna stand with the pride
One that can't be denied
(Stand up, stand up, stand up, stand up)
From the highest mountain, and valley low
We'll join together, with hearts of gold

Now the children of the world can see
There's a better way for us to be
The place where mankind was born
Is so neglected and torn, torn apart

Every woman, every man
Join the caravan of love (Stand up, stand up, stand up)
Everybody take a stand
Join the caravan of love

I'm your brother
I'm your brother, don't you know
I'm your brother
I'm your brother, don't you know

We'll be living in a world of peace
In a day when everyone is free
We'll bring the young and the old
Won't you let your love flow from your heart

Every woman, every man
Join the caravan of love (Stand up, stand up, stand up)
Everybody take a stand
Join the caravan of love

I'm your brother
I'm your brother, don't you know
I'm your brother
I'm your brother, don't you know

Now the children of the world can see
There's a better for us to be
The place where mankind was born
Is so neglected and torn, torn apart

Every woman, every man
Join the caravan of love (Stand up, stand up, stand up)
Everybody take a stand
Join the caravan of love

Are you ready for the time of your life
 
"What Made America Famous?"

It was the town that made America famous.
The churches full and the kids all gone to hell.
Six traffic lights and seven cops and all the streets kept clean.
The supermarket and the drug store and the bars all doing well.

They were the folks that made America famous.
The local fire department stocked with shorthaired volunteers.
And on Saturday night while America boozes
The fire department showed dirty movies,
The lawyer and the grocer seeing their dreams
Come to life on the movie screens
While the plumber hopes that he won't be seen
As he tries to hide his fears and he wipes away his tears.
But something's burning somewhere. Does anybody care?

We were the kids that made America famous.
The kind of kids that long since drove our parents to despair.
We were lazy long hairs dropping out, lost confused, and copping out.
Convinced our futures were in doubt and trying not to care.

We lived in the house that made America famous.
It was a rundown slum, the shame of all the decent folks in town.
We hippies and some welfare cases,
Crowded families with coal black faces,
Cramped inside some cracked old boards,
The best that we all could afford
But still too nice for the rich landlord
To tear it down, and we could hear the sound
Of something burning somewhere. Is anybody there?

We all lived the life that made America famous.
The cops would make a point to shadow us around our town.
And we "love children" put a swastika on the bright red firehouse door.
America, the beautiful, it makes a body proud.

And then came the night that made America famous.
Was it carelessness or someone's sick idea of a joke?
In the tinderbox trap that we hippies lived in, someone struck a spark.
At first I thought I was dreaming,
Then I saw the first flames gleaming
And heard the sound of children screaming
Coming through the smoke. That's when the horror broke.

Something's burning somewhere. Does anybody care?

It was the fire that made America famous.
The sirens wailed and the firemen stumbled sleepy from their homes.
And the plumber yelled: "Come on let's go!"
But they saw what was burning and said: "Take it slow,
Let 'em sweat a little, they'll never know
And besides, we just cleaned the chrome."
Said the plumber: "Then I'm going alone."

He rolled on up in the fire truck
And raised the ladder to the ledge
Where me and my girl and a couple of kids
Were clinging like bats to the edge.
We staggered to salvation,
Collapsed on the street.
And I never thought that a fat man's face
Would ever look so sweet.

I shook his hand in the scene that made America famous
And a smile from the heart that made America great
We spent the rest of that night in the home of a man I'd never known before.
It's funny when you get that close, it's kind of hard to hate.

I went to sleep with the hope that made America famous.
I had the kind of a dream that maybe they're still trying to teach in school.
Of the America that made America famous... and
Of the people who just might understand
That how together, yes we can
Create a country better than
The one we have made of this land,
We have a choice to make each man
who dares to dream, reaching out his hand
A prophet or just a crazy God damn
Dreamer of a fool - yes a crazy fool

There's something burning somewhere.
Does anybody care?
Is anybody there?
Is anybody there?
One of the greatest story tellers of all time. Harry Chapin.
 
Right now I'm listening to Ray Charles sing "None of us Free", another great song with a strong message.

https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/999026/Ray+Charles/None+of+Us+Are+Free#google_vignette

Well you better listen my sisters and brothers
'Cause if you do you can hear
There are voices still calling across the years

And they're all crying across the ocean
And they're crying across the land
And they will till we all come to understand

None of us are free
None of us are free
None of us are free, one of us are chained
None of us are free

And there are people still in darkness
And they just can't see the light
If you don't say it's wrong then that says it right

We got try to feel for each other
Let our brothers know that we care
Got to get the message, send it out loud and clear

None of us are free
None of us are free
None of us are free, one of us are chained
None of us are free

It's a simple truth we all need, just to hear and to see
None of us are free, one of us is chained
None of us are free, now I swear your salvation isn't too hard too find

None of us can find it on our own
We've got to join together in spirit, heart and mind
So that every soul who's suffering will know they're not alone

None of us are free
None of us are free
None of us are free, one of us are chained
None of us are free

If you just look around you
You're gonna see what I say
'Cause the world is getting smaller each passing day

Now it's time to start making changes
And it's time for us all to realize
That the truth is shining real bright right before our eyes

None of us are free
None of us are free
None of us are free, one of us are chained
None of us are free
 
https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/9890243/The+Isley+Brothers/Fight+the+Power

Are we gonna fight the power or give up?

Time is truly wastin'
There's no guarantee
Smile's in the makin'
You gotta fight the powers that be
Got so many forces
Stayin' on the scene
Givin' up all around me
Faces full a' pain
I can't play my music
They say my music's too loud
I kept talkin about it
I got the big run around
When I rolled with the punches
I got knocked on the ground
With all this bullshit going down

Time is truly wastin'
There's no guarantee
Smile's in the makin'
You gotta fight the powers that be
I don't understand it
People wanna see, ya
Those that got the answers
Red tape in the way
I could take you in easy
That's just half the fun, oh boy
Seeking satisfaction
Keeps me on the run
I can't play my music
They say my music's too loud
I kept talkin about it
I got the big run around
When I rolled with the punches
I got knocked on the ground
With all this bullshit going down
Time is truly wastin'
There's no guarantee
Smile's in the makin'
You gotta fight the powers that be
 
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