To start the day …. “Ball of Confusion”!!

~~January 20, 2015~~

I woke up with this song on my mind. I remembered the time when it came out. I was in the midst of it all. The time was ripe for expression against the state of the world then. Much as it is now. 

This is a timeless, immemorial song … applied then and applies perfectly now. 

Who would think that in so many years, there would be so little change? Each section ends with: “And the band plays on”.

This has many meanings for me but the ones that stick in my head are “all is business as usual, there’s no change, it doesn’t matter, and so it is.

“It Is What It Is” …. when will there be a change?

“This song was a huge part of my adolescence. Music was political then in a way that young people today can hardly imagine.”

“Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today)” is a 1970 hit single for The Temptations. It was released on the Gordy (Motown) label, and written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong.

Like “Psychedelic Shack” before it, “Ball of Confusion” delves head-on into psychedelia, this time with a strong political message. The lyrics list a multitude of problems that were tearing apart the United States in 1970: the Vietnam War, segregation, white flight, drug abuse, crooked politicians, and more. “Round and around and around we go”, the Temptations sing, “where the world’s headed/nobody knows.”

The end of each section of the Temptations’ lists of woes is punctuated by bass singer Melvin Franklin’s line, “And the band played on.”

“As it appears in … “

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_of_Confusion_%28That%27s_What_the_World_Is_Today%29

~~GALLERY~~

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

~~LYRICS~~

“Ball Of Confusion (That’s What The World Is Today)”

1, 2 … 1, 2, 3, 4, Ow!
[Eddie]
People moving out, people moving in. Why, because of the color of their skin.
Run, run, run but you sure can’t hide. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Vote for me and I’ll set you free. Rap on, brother, rap on.
Dennis: Well, the only person talking about love thy brother is the … (preacher.)
And it seems nobody’s interested in learning but the … (teacher.)
Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration, Aggravation, humiliation, obligation to our nation.
Ball of confusion. Oh yeah, that’s what the world is today. Woo, hey, hey.
[Paul]
The sale of pills are at an all time high.
Young folks walking round with their heads in the sky.
The cities ablaze in the summer time.
And oh, the beat goes on.
[Dennis]
Evolution, revolution, gun control, sound of soul.
Shooting rockets to the moon, kids growing up too soon.
Politicians say more taxes will solve everything.
[Melvin]
And the band played on.
So, round and around and around we go.
Where the world’s headed, nobody knows.
[Instrumental]
Oh, great googalooga, can’t you hear me talking to you.
Just a ball of confusion.
Oh yeah, that’s what the world is today.
Woo, hey, hey.
[Eddie]
Fear in the air, tension everywhere.
Unemployment rising fast, the Beatles new record’s a gas.
[Dennis]
And the only safe place to live is on an Indian reservation.
[Melvin]
And the band played on.
Eve of destruction, tax deduction, city inspectors, bill collectors,
Mod clothes in demand, population out of hand, suicide, too many bills,
Hippies moving to the hills. People all over the world are shouting, ‘End the war.’
[Melvin]
And the band played on.
[Instrumental]
Great googalooga, can’t you hear me talking to you.
Sayin’… ball of confusion.
That’s what the world is today, hey, hey.
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya.
Sayin’… ball of confusion.
That’s what the world is today, hey, hey.
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya.
Sayin’… ball of confusion.

#ToStartTheDay #BallOfConfusion #ThatsWhatTheWorldIsToday #TheTemptations #1970Hit #TimelessImmemorialSong #HugePartAdolescence #StrongPoliticalMessage #BusinessAsUsual #NoChange #DoesntMatter #GordyMotownLabel #NormanWhitfield #BarrettStrong #VietnamWar #Segregation #WhiteFlight #DrugAbuse #CrookedPoliticians #WhereTheWorldsHeaded #NobodyKnows #AndTheBandPlayedOn

#WeAllAreOne #ItIsWhatItIs #DrRex #hrexachwordpress

~~Ball of Confusion~~

~~Uploaded on Feb 10, 2010~~

The Temptations Ball of Confusion 

We ALL are ONE!!

At the end of the day …. “Two Days till Christmas”!!

~~December 23, 21014~~ 

Christmas is fast approaching. There are four days left before the holiday is upon us. This has been quite the year. As it comes to an end, we hope that this new coming year be better in many aspects.

“It Is What It Is” will feature a special song every night as the countdown approaches.

This some is one of my many favorites and it’s a very special one.

“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” is a song written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, released in 1971 as a single by John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir. It was the seventh single release by Lennon outside of his work with the Beatles. The song reached number 4 in the UK, where its release was delayed until November 1972, and has periodically reemerged on the UK Singles Chart, most notably after Lennon’s death in 1980, at which point it peaked at number 2.

Also a protest song against the Vietnam War, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” has since become a Christmas standard, frequently covered by other artists, appearing on compilation albums of seasonal music, and named in polls as a holiday favorite.

These are times of turmoil and conflict. It’s felt all over the world. At the same time the holidays are upon us.

This song is timeless and immemorial. Still applies to the current world events.

” …… And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
Yellow and red ones
Let’s stop all the fight

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
What have we done?
Another year over
A new one just begun ….. “

~~GALLERY~~

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

~~Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2015~~

Song “Happy Christmas (War Is Over)” by Celine Dion

~~Published on Dec 19, 2012~~

Catherine Laplace-Builhe

Merry Christmas everyone! Warmest wishes. Thank you for your support throughout the entire year. Happy holidays!  Hallmark’s Christmas Movies and Animations.

#AtTheEndOfTheDay ##LightAndLife #ChristmasSpirit #TwoDaysTillChristmas #JohnLennonYokoOno #CelineDion #PlasticOnoBand #HarlemCommunityChoir #Timeless #Immemorial #CurrentWorldEvents #HallmarksChristmasMoviesAnimations

#WeAllAreOne #ItIsWhatItIs #DrRex #hrexachwordpress

We ALL are ONE!!

To start the day ….

~~March 26, 2014~~

Another day has started. Another new beginning. Another opportunity to try again.

What would you do if you knew that you could not fail?

Great question. Thought provoking.

Think about it!! 

~~If I Were Brave~~

Jana Stanfield/Jimmy Scott

What would I do if I knew that I could not fail
If I believed would the wind always fill up my sail
How far would I go, what could I achieve /Trusting the hero in me

(Chorus) If I were brave I’d walk the razor’s edge
Where fools and dreamers dare to tread
Never lose faith, even when losing my way
What step would I take today if I were brave

(Channel) What would I do today if I were brave (4 times)

What if we’re all meant to do what we secretly dream
What would you ask if you knew you could have anything
Like the mighty oak sleeps in the heart of a seed
Are there miracles in you and me

(Repeat Chorus and Channel)

(Bridge) If I refuse to listen to the voice of fear
Would the voice of courage whisper in my ear

(Repeat Chorus and Channel out)

~~If I Were Brave~~

~~Uploaded on Oct 12, 2006~~

Video/Slideshow of the song “If I Were Brave”, written by Jimmy Scott and Jana Stanfield and sung by Jana Stanfield.
http://www.jimmyscottsongwriter.com http://www.jana stanfield.com

~~STILL A TIMELESS, INSPIRING SONG~~ 

We ALL are united through DREAMS!! 

We ALL are ONE!!