50 years since James Brown’s gave the people an anthem… Say It Louder: I’m Black and I’m Proud
50 years since James Brown’s gave the people an anthem… Say It Louder: I’m Black and I’m Proud (via @NYTimes ) https://t.co/VgjCQdS0ou — Aaron L. Morrison (@aaronlmorrison) July 20, 2018
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Lyrics[edit]
In the song, Brown addresses the prejudice towards blacks in America, and the need for black empowerment. He proclaims that "we demands a chance to do things for ourself/we're tired of beating our head against the wall/and workin' for someone else". The song's call-and-response chorus is performed by a group of young children, who respond to Brown's command of "Say it loud" with "I'm black and I'm proud!"[3] The song was recorded in a Los Angelesarea suburb with about 30 young people from the Watts and Compton areas.[4]
The lyrics "We've been 'buked and we've been scorned/We've been treated bad, talked about as sure as you're born" in the first verse of the song paraphrase the spiritual "I've Been 'Buked".
Several other Brown singles from the same era as "Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud", notably "I Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing (Open Up the Door, I'll Get It Myself)", explored similar themes of black empowerment and self-reliance.
The song's opening exhortation, "With your bad self", is an example of linguistic reappropriation, and added a new entry to Brown's long list of nicknames: "His Bad Self."
Recognitions[edit]
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included "Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud" in their 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. In 2004 it was ranked number 305 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. It inspired the title of a VH1 television special and box set, Say It Loud! A Celebration of Black Music in America.
"'Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud' was a record that really convinced me to say I was black instead of anegro," remarked Public Enemy's Chuck D. "Back then black folks were called negroes, but James said you can say it loud: that being black is a great thing instead of something you have to apologise for."[5]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Say_It_Loud_%E2%80%93_I%27m_Black_and_I%27m_Proud
Personally, I preferred Black Pearl
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Ooh-ooh
Hey, hey, my-my-my-my
Black pearl, precious little girl
Let me put you up where you belong
Black pearl, pretty little girl
You've been in the background much too long
You've been workin' so hard your whole life through
Tending other peoples houses, raising up their children too
Hey, how bout something for me and you?
Here in my arms you're gonna reign supreme
No more serving, baby, they're gonna serve my queen
It's our turn for happiness and our day has come
Living for each other and answering to no one
Black pearl, precious little girl
Let me put you up where you belong because I love you
Black pearl, pretty little girl
You've been in the background much too long
Together we'll stand so straight and so tall
Created by love to love one and all, hey
Heart-to-heart, soul-to-soul
No other one could ever take your place
My world is built around the very smile that's on your face
You'll never win a beauty show, no, they won't pick you
But you're my Miss America and I love you
Black pearl, precious little girl
Let me put you up where you belong, I will lead you
Black pearl, pretty little girl
You've been in the background much too long
Ooh-ooh, yeah-yeah-yeah, my-my-my-my-my baby
You know I need you, you know I want you, want you for myself
I don't want nobody else, oh babe I love you, you know I need you
You know I got to-got to-got to have you
Come on baby, come on, come on and be my baby
You know I love you, ooh-ooh
Be mine, nobody else have you, come on baby love
Ah, I love you, and I need you and I want you, want you for myself
Come on baby, I love you, hey-hey-hey
I really need you baby love and I want you
Writer: IRWIN LEVINE, TONI WINE, PHILLIP SPECTOR
source:
Ooh, good choice, one of my favorites as well.
I've got two songs that had strong, positive impacts on my social development back in the late 60's early 70's.
Of course these two songs come from white men giving voice to black plight not black singers staking out their rightful place in America but hey, whatever gets the message out. Right?
.
Elvis Presley - In The Ghetto (Music Video) (1969)
Bummer by Harry Chapin
Both excellent AH.
What? No white songs?
Hmmm.
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He was nuts but a great entertainer. I like his music. PCP can really screw up guys life.