~~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~~
~~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.
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#WeAllAreOne #ItIsWhatItIs #DrRex #hrexachwordpress
~~Ball of Confusion~~
~~Uploaded on Feb 10, 2010~~
The Temptations Ball of Confusion
We ALL are ONE!!