FYI: Originally Alexander O'Neal was supposed to be the lead singer for The Time. For whatever reason Morris Day was used instead.
The 1985 self-titled release was filled with streamlined grooves, including the funk jam "Innocent". The song was a funky Jam/Lewis groove, featuring "The Secret"- (Monte Moir, Cherrelle, Jellybean Johnson, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis). The song lasts for nearly 10 minutes, which consists of some exceptional guitar and keyboard solos, which also features the funk intermission of "Alex 9000". Alex's 1987 release, titled "Hearsay", includes the smash hit "Fake". "Fake" is arguably one of the best songs ever made to feature the "Minneapolis Funk" sound, the song was also nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for Single of the Year (Male). In late 1990, he had a minor hit with "All True Man."
His 1988 album "My Gift to You" was a successful holiday release, with the track "Our First Christmas" still popular during the holidays.
He has recently appeared in the celebrity duet show Just the Two of Us with BBC newsreader Fiona Bruce.
Alexander O'Neal's popularity and support in the UK has been immeasurable throughout his Career and still remains so today. Based in Minneapolis, he frequently commutes to Britain, which he sees as his 'Second Home'. All of his six albums have charted both in the UK and the US and he has enjoyed numerous sell-out tours. In 2005, he recorded his first live album "Alexander O'neal Live at Hammersmith Apollo". It's a collection of his Favorites and Biggest Hits from his career. With his personal love of performing on stage and constant tour support from his fans it was a clear progression for him to deliver the live experience in the form of an album. He has handpicked tracks that traverse the success of his career singing alongside a 12 piece band.
Alexander O'Neal releases his first Live DVD, taken from a performance at London's Hammersmith Apollo in March 2006 in January 2007.. It includes a duet with Uk Singer JC Bentley on Saturday Love.
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Yoke
Alexander O'Neal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Anything you're looking for you'll find
I'm just out here searching for respect
Keep reaching for the top I'll be the best
Chorus:
Let the yoke off my back, gonna use my Intellect
To get the yoke off my back
Get the yoke off my back
Gotta get upon the rhythm, get up
Gotta get upon the rhythm, get this yoke off my back
It's not whips and chains that make a slave
It's the power of the rhythm in the brain
Can't live everyday locked in a trance
Gotta break this bondage to have a chance
Don't like oppression, don't like rejection, I like perfection
A clear perception
Chorus:
Gotta get this yoke off my back, gonna give myself a chance
To get this yoke off my back
Gotta get this yoke off my back, gonna use my intellect
To get this yoke off my back
I gotta getup on the rhythm, getup
I gotta get upon the rhythm, get this yoke off my back
I gotta get upon the rhythm, get up I gotta get upon the rhythm, get this yoke off my back
I gotta get upon the rhythm getup I gotta get upon the rhythm, get this yoke off my back
I gotta get upon the rhythm, get up I gotta get upon the rhythm, get this yoke off my back
I feel a lot hotter when the yoke is off my back
(1st rap):
Get up on the rhythm, the only key to freedom
Mental state of being, all seeing
You've been holding me back for too long
The time is now, to sing my song
How long will the years of oppression
Stop progression that is the question
I refuse to lose or housed by the yoke no joke
(2nd rap):
Now tell me do you see what I see
Who says we're free, in this society
Things have changed but I still feel chained down
It's all the same, rearranged, my skin's still brown
Tight as a rope now cut me some slack
What is this thing that's been placed on my back?
Why does the yoke want to leave me for dead?
Think for a second it's all in your head.
Chorus:
It you want me to pull ya, I'm not a mule
I'm not a beast at burden
I'm not your average fool and it you ever need to know, what's going on
Let me open up your eye's before the view is gone
Chorus:
In Alexander O'Neal's song "The Yoke," the lyrics express a message of searching for respect and breaking free from the mental and societal restraints that hold us back. The artist acknowledges that if we seek with an open mind, we will find what we're looking for. He is determined to reach the top and be the best, all while expressing his dislike for oppression, rejection, and his pursuit of perfection. The chorus repeats a call to "get the yoke off my back," using his intellect and getting upon the rhythm of life to break free from the bondage that holds us down. He believes that it's not whips and chains that make a slave, but rather the power of the rhythm in our brains that keeps us in a trance. The lyrics convey a message of resilience and a call to break free from the mental chains that prevent us from reaching our full potential.
Line by Line Meaning
If you seek with open eyes and mind
If you search with an open mind, you'll find what you are looking for.
Anything you're looking for you'll find
Whatever you are searching for, you will find it.
I'm just out here searching for respect
I'm trying to find respect for myself and my work.
Keep reaching for the top I'll be the best
I will continue to strive to be the best at what I do.
Chorus:
Refrain
Let the yoke off my back, gonna use my Intellect
I want to remove the burden that is holding me down and use my intelligence to succeed.
To get the yoke off my back
I want to remove the burden that is holding me down.
Gotta get the yoke off my back, give myself a chance
I need to remove the burden and give myself a chance to succeed.
Gotta get upon the rhythm, get up
I need to get into the groove and start moving forward.
It's not whips and chains that make a slave
It's not always the physical oppression that holds a person back, but also the psychological oppression.
It's the power of the rhythm in the brain
It is the power of the mind that can hold a person back or push them forward.
Can't live everyday locked in a trance
I can't continue living my life every day in a mindless state.
Gotta break this bondage to have a chance
I need to break free from the mental and emotional bondage in order to succeed.
Don't like oppression, don't like rejection, I like perfection
I don't like being held back or rejected, I strive for perfection in my work.
A clear perception
I need to have a clear understanding of reality in order to succeed.
Chorus:
Refrain
I feel a lot hotter when the yoke is off my back
I feel more confident and energized when I am not held back by a burden.
(1st rap):
First rap verse
Get up on the rhythm, the only key to freedom
Getting into the groove and moving forward is the only way to achieve freedom.
Mental state of being, all seeing
My state of mind affects how I perceive the world around me.
You've been holding me back for too long
I have been held back for too long by a burden.
The time is now, to sing my song
It is time for me to express myself and pursue my goals.
How long will the years of oppression
How long will I be held back by this oppression?
Stop progression that is the question
Is this oppression holding me back from progressing in life?
I refuse to lose or housed by the yoke no joke
I will not be held back or oppressed anymore.
(2nd rap):
Second rap verse
Now tell me do you see what I see
Do you understand the reality of this situation as I do?
Who says we're free, in this society
Are we really free in this society, or are we still held back by oppression?
Things have changed but I still feel chained down
Despite some progress, I still feel oppressed and held back.
It's all the same, rearranged, my skin's still brown
The oppressive structures may have changed, but the effects are still the same for me as a person of color.
Tight as a rope now cut me some slack
I feel constricted and need some more freedom to pursue my goals.
What is this thing that's been placed on my back?
What is the burden or oppression that is holding me back from succeeding?
Why does the yoke want to leave me for dead?
Why is this burden or oppression trying to destroy me?
Think for a second it's all in your head.
The burden or oppression may not be physical, but rather a mental construct that I need to overcome.
Chorus:
Refrain
It you want me to pull ya, I'm not a mule
I will not be used as a tool for someone else's benefit.
I'm not a beast at burden
I am not an animal to be burdened with a heavy load.
I'm not your average fool and it you ever need to know, what's going on
I am not a naive person and I will always be aware of what is happening around me.
Let me open up your eye's before the view is gone
Let me show you what is really happening before it's too late.
Contributed by Elijah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.