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People Say
The Meters Lyrics


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Powers of today so pretty darnn confused
Giving everybody in the world the blues
Food is getting high and the fuel is getting low
The rich are getting richer
And the poor are getting poor
People say, people say
Have I got a right to live
People say, people say
Have I got a right to live
People say, people say
(What the people say)
(What the people)
Have your share and my share
And your share is my share too
Your eyes are blind folded
And your mind controlled
What the powers do to you
Destruction is in the air, oh yeah
And when is it going to quit
Somebody end the madness
Gettin' sick and tired of it
People say, people say
Have I got a right to live
People say, people say
Have I got a right to live
People say, people say
(What the people say)
(What the people)
(What the people say)
(What the people say)
(What the people say)
(What the people say)
(What the people say)
You gotta listen to 'em (What the people say)
Robbing and they're stealing
And they're breaking in your home
It's getting a little dangerous
To walk the street alone
Somebody better get on the case
Real thing (Real Thing)
And you got no time to waste
People say, people say
Have I got a right to live
People say, people say
Have I got a right to live
People say, people say
(What the people say)
(What the people)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Meters' song "People Say" are a powerful commentary on the state of the world at the time the song was released in 1974, and remain relevant today. The song describes a world in which the powers that be are confused and causing harm to the people, with rising food prices and diminishing fuel supplies leading to widespread suffering. The rich are becoming more wealthy while the poor are becoming poorer, and people are questioning whether they even have a right to live in such a world.


The singer describes how people are blindfolded and their minds are controlled by the powers that be, who are causing destruction and chaos. There is a sense of desperation and urgency in the lyrics, as the singer calls for an end to the madness and for someone to get on the case and find a real solution to the problems facing the world. The song suggests that people need to listen to each other and come together to fight back against those who would rob, steal and break into their homes.


Line by Line Meaning

Powers of today so pretty darnn confused
The people in charge seem to be disorganized and unsure of what to do.


Giving everybody in the world the blues
Their actions are negatively impacting everyone around the globe.


Food is getting high and the fuel is getting low
Prices for basic needs like food and energy are increasing while the availability of the latter is shrinking.


The rich are getting richer
Those who already have much are acquiring even more wealth.


And the poor are getting poor
Meanwhile, those who are struggling financially are becoming even more impoverished.


People say, people say
This is a repeated phrase that suggests a lack of action being taken to address the issues being discussed.


Have I got a right to live
This question highlights a sense of desperation and ponders whether the basic right to life is being denied to some people.


(What the people say)
This is again a repeated line, emphasizing that the concerns being raised are shared by many individuals.


Your eyes are blind folded
People are seemingly unaware of what is happening around them.


And your mind controlled
This suggests a lack of individual agency; the people's thought processes and actions appear to be being dictated externally.


What the powers do to you
The people in charge are seen as being responsible for the current state of things.


Destruction is in the air, oh yeah
This line sounds a warning about potential future problems that may arise from the current state of things.


And when is it going to quit
The people are frustrated with the lack of progress being made towards addressing these problems.


Somebody end the madness
This line represents a plea for someone to take action and intervene to solve these issues.


Gettin' sick and tired of it
The people are weary of the current state of affairs and want things to change.


You gotta listen to 'em (What the people say)
This line essentially says that the concerns being raised are valuable and should be heard and taken into account.


Robbing and they're stealing
This line suggests that criminal activity is on the rise - perhaps as a result of economic hardship or desperation.


And they're breaking in your home
People's safety and security are being threatened as a result of this criminal activity.


It's getting a little dangerous
The situation is becoming increasingly perilous.


To walk the street alone
This line speaks to the fear people have of venturing out in public spaces without protection or company.


Somebody better get on the case
This line suggests that the people in charge need to take strong, swift action to combat criminal activity and protect their citizens.


Real thing (Real Thing)
This is repeated as an exclamation or encouragement to take real, concrete action to address the issues being discussed.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ART NEVILLE, GEORGE PORTER JR., JOSEPH MODELISTE, LEO NOCENTELLI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Rishab A. Sanjeev

Powers of today so pretty darn confused
Giving everybody in the world the blues
Food is getting high and the fuel is getting low
The rich are getting richer
And the poor are getting poor

Chorus
People say, people say
Have I got a right to live
People say, people say
Have I got a right to live
People say, people say
(What the people say)
(What the people)

Verse 2
Have your share and my share
And your share is my share too
Your eyes are blind folded
And your mind controlled
What the powers do to you
Destruction is in the air, oh yeah
And when is it going to quit
Somebody end the madness
Gettin' sick and tired of it

Verse 3
Robbing and they're stealing
And they're breaking in your home
It's getting a little dangerous
To walk the street alone
Somebody better get on the case
Real thing (Real Thing)



All comments from YouTube:

R Alvarez

45 YEARS LATER...NOTHIN HAS CHANGED APART FROM THIS SOUNDS BETTER THAN EVER!!!!!!

MG Massey

Yep

Matthew Mead

The rhythm guitarist and drummer are so locked in. Meters have impeccable timing

benoplustee

thx for pointing this out. uncanny.

Shane Clower

benoplustee Lol

TheHellovRiotDrak 71

Leo n Zig!✌

Ash Hodson

Agreed!! I’m a drummer and prefer to play along to the rhythm guitarist and have the bass player fill the gaps we leave or just stab along 🤙

Matthew Mead

@Ash Hodson I think it creates a really tight sound and works great with funk music. Usually the bass anchors the drums to the rest of the band by syncing up with the bass drum but when the rhythm guitar and drums sync up you get that awesome start-stop deep funk sound. The band phish incorporates a lot of meters inspired funk and the guitarist and drummer have great chemistry and get really locked in. They have even mentioned this in interviews. Whatever you feel about the greater catalog of music the band plays any funk fan would be remiss not to check out some of the bands funky offerings as they pull it off really well, and it's the drums and guitar and the chemistry between them that moves this sound along.

3 More Replies...

Randy Herrera

This song is even more relevant now than it was when it was written! I want this on vinyl

TokeMugaba

The meters is 100% magic...nothing less than complete magic

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