Submitted by MitchTobol on

Has anything really changed?

Categories
Music

Following are the lyrics to a great song by the Temptations. I was singing this to myself this morning and realized how appropriate the message is today. What's amazing is that this was written and released 46 years ago...

 

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.

 

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.

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.

Evolution, revolution, gun control, sound of soul.
Shooting rockets to the moon, kids growing up too soon.
Politicians say more taxes will solve everything.

And the band played on.
So, round and around and around we go.
Where the world's headed, nobody knows.

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.

Fear in the air, tension everywhere.
Unemployment rising fast, the Beatles new record's a gas.

And the only safe place to live is on an Indian reservation.

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.'

And the band played on.

Comments

Corey Bearak

here's the YouTue: https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=temptations+ball+of+confusion&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

The music and vocals overpower the lyrics.
Janet Sullivan

As a music therapist, I can only emphasize how music and lyrics usually combine to make a powerful and in this case, apt statement.

Janet Sullivan
David Abeshouse

Great song; memories of a time we think of as "simpler," yet many of the same issues persist today.
Rona Gura

People have been also posting a Twilight Zone episode from the 60's where a town is immersed in darkness due to all the hatred among its people. How sad that the message is still applicable today.
Cayce Crown

There is so much inspiration happening every day in this great city, country, world and universe, I can't keep up with it all. There have ALWAYS been problems. Music is a great enlightener, healer and unifier. Take a deep breath, y'all.

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