Bad Brains are a punk rock band formed in Washington, D.C., USA in 1977. Th… Read Full Bio ↴Bad Brains are a punk rock band formed in Washington, D.C., USA in 1977. They are regarded as one of the pioneers of hardcore punk, though band members have objected to the term to describe their music. They are also an adept reggae band, while later recordings featured elements of other genres like funk, heavy metal, hip-hop and soul. Bad Brains are followers of the Rastafari movement.

Originally formed as a jazz fusion ensemble under the name Mind Power, Bad Brains developed a very fast and intense punk rock sound which came to be labeled "hardcore", and was often played faster and more emphatically than many of their peers. The unique factor of the band's music was the fact that they played more complex rhythms than other hardcore punk bands, also adapting diverse guitar styles into their songs.

Bad Brains have released nine studio albums (one of which is entirely composed of instrumental versions of their early material). The band broke up and reformed several times over the years, sometimes with different singers or drummers. Since 1994, the "classic" lineup of singer H.R. (Human Rights), guitarist Dr. Know, bassist Darryl Jenifer, and drummer Earl Hudson has reunited, albeit performing sporadically.

Discography:
• Bad Brains (1982)
• Rock for Light (1983)
• I Against I (1986)
• Quickness (1989)
• Rise (1993)
• God of Love (1995)
• I & I Survived (2002)
• Build a Nation (2007)
• Into the Future (2012)
• Mind Power (TBA)

Secret 77
Bad Brains Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Secret. Secret 77, another lesson in life secret 77.
To their surprise with time to thrive Mr. Rhythm cut the jive.
And to their belief under your wheel brother vibe dare not steal.
He that oppress reproach his maker.
He that honor him have mercy on the poor.
Secret 77, another blessing to share.
Secret 77. Invisible to you and me.
No you just cannot see.

For now it's time you've got to nab it,
one-hundred in one, like inspector gadget.
You will always find at sunrise on the way to meet your boss.
He that oppress reproach his maker.
He that honor him have mercy on the poor.

Secret 77. Doesn't have but one true friend to share his life unto the end.
And now a big surprise we can thrive and stay alive. Secret 77.

Overall Meaning

Bad Brains's song "Secret 77" can be seen as a lesson in life, referring to the invisible and unknown secrets that exist around us. The lyrics seemingly suggest that the song's protagonist, Mr. Rhythm, has overcome obstacles and barriers to reach a stage of thriving. He has cut through the jive, implying that he has successfully eliminated the distractions and temptations of life. The people around him need not try to steal from him as they are benefited in their own way by Mr. Rhythm's success. The lyrics focus on the moral values that one should follow in life. Those who oppress others are reproached by their Maker, while those who have mercy on the poor shall find honor in life. Secret 77, therefore, is a metaphor for a way of living which helps one to lead an honest and successful life.

Line by Line Meaning

Secret. Secret 77, another lesson in life secret 77.
The song speaks of Secret 77, which is a secret lesson of life.

To their surprise with time to thrive Mr. Rhythm cut the jive.
Mr. Rhythm has surprised everyone by thriving despite the odds.

And to their belief under your wheel brother vibe dare not steal.
It is believed that one should not steal from their own community.

He that oppress reproach his maker.
Those who oppress others are reproaching their own creator.

He that honor him have mercy on the poor.
Those who honor their creator will show mercy to the poor.

Secret 77, another blessing to share.
Secret 77 is also a blessing that can be shared with others.

Secret 77. Invisible to you and me.
Secret 77 is something that is not visible to everyone.

No you just cannot see.
It is not possible for everyone to see this secret.

For now it's time you've got to nab it, one-hundred in one, like inspector gadget.
The secret is now available to be obtained, just like Inspector Gadget who always gets what he wants.

You will always find at sunrise on the way to meet your boss.
The secret can be discovered at sunrise on the way to meet one's boss.

He that oppress reproach his maker.
Those who oppress others are reproaching their own creator.

He that honor him have mercy on the poor.
Those who honor their creator will show mercy to the poor.

Secret 77. Doesn't have but one true friend to share his life unto the end.
Secret 77 only has one true friend to share his life with till the end.

And now a big surprise we can thrive and stay alive. Secret 77.
The secret reveals a big surprise that can help us thrive and survive.

Contributed by Ellie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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