If you saw my post “Music Speaks” yesterday, you know that I have a thing for songs with messages for the moment. Although, unlike yesterday, today’s workout playlist (randomized) was not a bonanza of meaningful songs strung in a great little row, it did bring me three more, all oldies, I’d like to share.
I. “Wake Up Everybody” by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, featuring Teddy Pendergrass (1975):
…The world won’t get no better
If we just let it be, na, na, na, na, na, na
The world won’t get no better
We gotta change it, yeah
Just you and me…
As covered by John Legend and the Roots, featuring Common and Melanie Fiona:
II. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel (1970), as covered by Alison Jiear and Cynthia Erivo:
I’m sailing right behind…
III. Talkin’ Bout a Revolution by Tracy Chapman (1988)
...And finally the tables are starting to turnTalkin’ ’bout a revolutionYes, finally the tables are starting to turnTalkin’ ’bout a revolution, oh, noTalkin’ ’bout a revolution, oh, noTalkin’ ’bout a revolution, oh, no…
SPECIAL BONUS: “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman (1988), as covered by Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs
Messages for the moment have to include this one. You know you loved it when they performed it at the Grammys, partly because it was the return of Chapman to the public eye and partly because it represented a melding of different worlds and dare-we-say hope for increased national unity. I’ve watched this multiple times since it originally aired.
P.S. It still makes me cry.
Clap! clap! clap!