Story Behind The Song
I loved The Maytals ska period (1963- 66) and have always thought their gospel inspired call and return had the energy that matched the mania of the ska beat. I had been listening to them a lot when I got this tune in my head and frantically went through my record collection trying to find which song it was. I couldn't - it was original.
The song tries to capture everything I love about ska: the beat, the brass line, great guitar work and of course the gospel backing vocals.
Lyrically, the words we inspired by a TV debate between Tony Benn, Labour MP and Richard Dawkins, athiest. Suprisingly, Tony Been was promoting religion and said religion took the powers from the kings and gave it to the people. I really liked the idea of that therefore it is sad when you see it getting used by political or religious leaders to subjugate wither their own or others. I saw a programme on the Middle East Palestine/Israel issue and when an ordinary man was asked if he had any sympathy for the other side he said 'Yes'. When asked why he was defending and taking part in inflicting misery upon them he said 'It is God's way'.
Song Description
Beautiful gospel style female backing vocals. Thumping brass riff, great guitar work.
| Song Length |
4:22 |
Genre |
Pop - Alternative, Rock - Ska |
| Tempo |
Medium Fast (131 - 150) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Joyful |
Subject |
Freedom, Civil Rights |
| Language |
English |
Era |
1980 - 1989 |
Lyrics
Freedom
Freedom, freedom, freedom
Freedom, freedom, freedom
Hear what I say yeah
Hear what I say in the name of justice
Hear what I say yeah
Hear what I say in the name of love
Hear what I say yeah
Hear what I say in the name of freedom
Hear what I say yeah
Hear what I say in the name of love
So don't you look at me that way
I'm your brother, I'm your sister
And very soon there'll come that day
When we all rise up
And send you to your justice day
Chorus
Hear what you say yeah
Hear what you say when you quote the prophets
Hear what you say yeah
Hear what you say when you pass the blame
Hear what you say yeah
Hear what you say when you point the finger
Hear what you say yeah
Hear what you say when hide your shame
So don't you look at me and say
'We got to pray yeah we got to pray yeah'
You can't hide the truth that way
We see your crime
I think it's Armageddon Time
Chorus
So don't you look at me that way
I'm your brother, I'm your sister
And very soon there'll come that day
When we all rise up
And send you to your justice day
Chorus