THE WORLD
BRADLEY Charles Lyrics


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This world
Is going up in flames
And nobody
Wanna take the blame
Don't tell me
How to live my life
When you
Never felt the pain

Oh, oh, oh
Ooh (oh, oh, oh)
Come on, babe
Ooh (oh, oh, oh)
They don't hear me cry
Ooh (oh, oh, oh)
They don't hear me try
Ooh (oh, oh, oh)
They don't hear me cry
For what I'm gonna do
Yeah, baby

Oh, I
I can't turn my head away (oh, no no no)
Seeing all these things
The world
Is burning up in flames (burning up, burning up)
And nobody
Wanna take the blame (wanna take the blame)

Is it you? Or you? (oh no)
You (no, no)
Or you (oh no)
Me, oh me

Ooh (oh, oh, oh)
They don't hear me cry
Ooh (oh, oh, oh)
They don't hear me try
Ooh (oh, oh, oh)
Don't stomp on that light

Ooh (oh, oh, oh)
Oh, it's killing me
Oh babe (oh baby)
Come on babe, get it right (oh baby)
Gotta be
A better world (oh baby)
Gotta make it baby
Gotta make it right (oh baby)
Uh

(Oh, oh, oh, oh)
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)




Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah baby
Aha aha, oh baby

Overall Meaning

In "The World", Bradley Charles sings about the struggles of the world and the lack of accountability among those in power. The song's lyrics convey a sense of desperation and frustration, as the singer points out the world's problems and calls for change. In the first verse, Charles sings that the world is "going up in flames" and no one is willing to take the blame for it. He challenges those who try to tell him how to live his life, saying that they have never felt the pain he has experienced. The chorus repeats the lines "they don't hear me cry/they don't hear me try," suggesting that the singer's pleas for change are being ignored.


The second verse continues the theme of societal problems, with the lyrics "the world is burning up in flames" and again no one taking responsibility. The repeated question "Is it you? Or you?" could be interpreted as a challenge to those listening to take action and make a difference. The final lines of the song express a desire for a better world and a call to action to make it happen.


Overall, "The World" is a passionate plea for change in a troubled world. Charles's lyrics and vocal delivery convey deep feelings of frustration and a desire for accountability and progress.


Line by Line Meaning

This world
The current state of things in our society


Is going up in flames
Things are getting worse and out of control


And nobody
No one in particular


Wanna take the blame
No one wants to take responsibility for their actions


Don't tell me
I don't want to hear


How to live my life
Being told how to behave and live life by others


When you
The person addressing the song to


Never felt the pain
The person addressed does not have the same life experience as the artist


They don't hear me cry
No one is listening to me express my emotions


They don't hear me try
No one sees the effort I am putting in to try and improve things


For what I'm gonna do
The singer is planning something to improve things


I can't turn my head away
I cannot ignore the state of the world


Seeing all these things
Observing the current state of things


The world
The same as the first line


Is burning up in flames
The same as the second line


Is it you? Or you?
Who is responsible for the current state of things?


Me, oh me
Also questioning one's own contribution to the current state of things


Don't stomp on that light
Don't extinguish hope


Oh, it's killing me
The singer is emotionally burdened


Come on babe, get it right
Everyone needs to work together to achieve progress


Gotta be
There has to be


A better world
What the artist hopes to achieve


Gotta make it baby
We need to work hard to improve things


Gotta make it right
Things need to be set right




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Charles Bradley, David Guy, Homer Steinweiss, Leon Michels, Michael Deller, Thomas Brenneck

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

@brunospricigo9678

This world
Is going up in flames
And nobody
Wanna take the blame
Don't tell me
How to live my life
When you
Never felt the pain
Oh, oh, oh
Come on babe
They don't hear me cry
They don't hear me try
They don't hear me cry
For what I gonna do, yeah baby
I can't turn my head away
Seeing all these things
The world
Is burning up in flames
And nobody
Wanna take the blame
You oh you
You oh you
Me oh me
They don't hear me cry
They don't hear me try
Don't stomp on that light
It's killing me
Oh babe
Come on babe, get it right
Gotta be
A better world
Gotta make it baby
Gotta make it right
Ooh
Yeah, yeah, yeah baby, aha aha, oh baby



All comments from YouTube:

@larrythelobster1595

Charles Bradly deserved far more recognition then he got. It's so unfortunate that most people have only discovered him after his passing... RIP Charles Bradley.

Edit: This comment is two years old, and yet I still get replies from all of you expressing your love for Charles Bradley and his music. That's so cool. I really appreciate y'all 🙏🏾🙌🏾 ❤️

@threalismaradona9899

I was heartbroken to find him after his death this man deserved to be bigger and more famous so damn good

@artisticskillz01

Shut up. He passed away!? No way!!!!! Discovered him because of Suits in 2011 playing his song in an episode. Love ever since

@larrythelobster1595

@@artisticskillz01 Yeah, it's a shame. He's without a doubt one of my favorite soul singers of all time.

@mundabi

i think he rests peacefully and happily knowing his heart and soul lives on in his music and continues to soften hearts and brighten days long after his mortal veil was lifted :)

@williamsmith8041

I am 1 of the people of which you speak,never heard of him until yesterday

21 More Replies...

@luisleal8472

Charles Bradley deserves so much more respect than he recieved

@threalismaradona9899

That is an understatement

@ontarth2618

true

@biguzi4217

Yes sir he does

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