Posted by
Sgt.Stryker on Monday, March 30, 2009 4:59:37 AM
Even though I was only 7 years old when this song came out,
"Ball Of Confusion" ranks as one of my favorite songs ("Papa Was A Rolling Stone" was first on my list) from
The Temptations. The interplay of the bass and the high tenor vocals was fascinating to my young, potentially attention-deficited mind, and I'm still kind of surprised that my dad didn't turn the station when it came on, given the racial tension that was prevalent back in the day.
To my larger point, I've wondered whether or not the underlying theme of the song was to blame Nixon and the GOP for many of the issues mentioned, but, it may have just been a purely anti-government rant. That would certainly have been more accurate, given the previous 2 administrations were democratic...and we all know the Democrats have made a living under-serving minorities.
Here's the lyrics (although most of you know them well enough to sing along)...I thought it would be interesting to plug the complaints listed in the song into present day US of A and see just how relevant the themes still are. "Vote for me and I'll set you free". Once again, it seems past is prologue. Not sure who the great googalooga is...any guesses?
BALL OF CONFUSION (THAT'S WHAT THE WORLD IS TODAY
WRITERS NORMAN WHITFIELD, BARRETT STRONG
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.