Black Eyed Peas went to centenary state high school and got their start in 1988 when will.i.am (born 1975 William James Adams Jr.) and apl.de.ap (born 1974 Allan Pineda) began rapping and performing together around Los Angeles. The pair signed to Ruthless Records (run by Eazy-E) after catching the attention of the nephew of Jerry Heller (Eazy-E's manager). Along with Mookie Mook (Burning Star), Dante Santiago & DJ Motiv8, they called their group A.T.B.A.N. Klann. Their debut album, 'Grass Roots', was not released originally because Ruthless did not consider the social themes reflected in the group's music to be marketable to their audience. A single "Puddles of H2O" was released in 1994 but no album was released (until it leaked onto the Internet in the mid 2000s).
After Eazy-E died of an AIDS related illness in 1995, they changed their name to Black Eyed Peas; will.i.am explained on the front cover of the Monkey Business album that "Black Eyed Peas are food for the soul", hence the name. will.i.am has cited the Red Hot Chili Peppers as an influence and said he named his band after a food, like them. They replaced their original third member Mookie, with Dante Santiago the Peas original singer. Then Taboo (born Jaime Gomez) joined the group. Dante Santiago took on a role as a guest vocalist in the band and featured frequently on various tracks for their first four albums.
In 1996, they produced and appeared on a song entitled "That's Right" for Brian Austin Green's hip-hop album One Stop Carnival. Later, they began using Kim Hill as a steady background singer. Unlike many hip-hop acts, they chose to perform with a live band and adopted a musical and clothing style that differed wildly from the "gangsta rap" sounds of other Los Angeles-based hip-hop acts at the time. Through the mid-'90s, they performed in the local club circuit alongside fellow acts such as Ozomatli and Jurassic 5.
The group were signed to Interscope Records and released their debut, "Behind the Front", in 1998. The album won the group (and their accompanying live band, the Bucky Jonsons) critical acclaim. The album featured the single "Joints & Jams", which was included on the Bulworth soundtrack. Their second album, "Bridging the Gap", was released in 2000; it featured the single "Request + Line" featuring Macy Gray.
After replacing their female background singer with Fergie, the group released their breakout album, "Elephunk", and their 2005 album, "Monkey Business", which featured the hit singles "Pump It", "Don't Phunk With My Heart", "Don't Lie" and "My Humps".
"The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies)", their fifth album, was released worldwide in June 2009 and has managed to sell 5 million copies in 8 months (Elephunk: 7 million, Monkey Business: 10 million). It already spawned 2 of the most downloaded singles of all time: "Boom Boom Pow" and "I Gotta Feeling", both were downloaded 5 million times only in the USA. The 3rd single "Meet Me Halfway" was downloaded 2 million times and the 4th "Imma Be", which was just released, already sold 1 million. "Rock That Body" is the 5th single.
http://www.blackeyedpeas.com
They Don't Want Music
Black Eyed Peas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All they want is (a boom, boom, boom, boom)
Hey y'all, John Coltrane yeah he plays the sax
Me, myself I love to max
Up in the studio laying tracks
Burn it on the CD, melt the wax
And now I'm feeling fine
Coz daily music's on my mind
And I feel mellow
When I watch the girl play the cello
Hello to all my fellow peers in here for the quality
Music quality, yeah
That'll be the focus in the top pick of the day
So pass the peas like we used to say
Pass the beats like they used to say
Pass the phunk like they used to say
That's my joint like we used to say
Syncopation the true school way
I don't know what you came to do
I came to drop the funk on you
Depends on that sonic sound
But you know what?
They don't want music (x2)
They just want (a boom, boom, boom boom boom (x2))
They don't want music, they don't know how to use it
They don't want music (x2)
They don't want music, they don't know how to use it
The good back horn
They don't want music, they don't know how to use it
All they want is (a boom, boom, boom, boom, boom boom boom)
Ooh, la la aw wee wee
Nowadays music is all about fee
The soul is caged no bits now free
Unless the rhyme was rocked by me
I got the balls to bang (baw ba-ba-baw, ba-ba-baw, ba-baw bang)
Yeah, steady, just doing my thang (steady, just steady, just doing my own thang)
I just do it (ha!)
I just do it you know
My momma said to do what you know
So I'ma do what I know
James Brown gave me the fluid
That means a baby could do it
The Peas will do it so
Do it, do it, do it
Get up on the stage and release my fluid
Do my thing, do it through the music
Funkafied and therapeutic
I don't know what you came to do
I came to drop the funk on you
Depends on that sonic sound
But you know what?
They don't want music (x2)
They just want (a boom, boom, boom boom boom (x2))
They don't want music, they don't know how to use it
They don't want music (x2)
They don't want music, they don't know how to use it
The good back horn
They don't want music, they don't know how to use it
All they want is (a boom, boom, boom, boom, boom boom boom)
Wait a minute!
You got to rock with the funk (if you wanna have a good time) (x2)
You got to roll with the funk (if you wanna have a good time) (x2)
You got to roll with the funk (if you wanna be sweet and fine, hey! Hey! Hey!)
Rock with the punk (if you gonna have a good time)
You got to roll with the funk (if you wanna have a good time)
A woman that'll funk your horn now (gimme that funky horn!)
Play that funky horn now (gimme that funky horn)
Gimme that funky horn now (gimme that funky horn)
Hey! Hey! Hey!
You got to rock with the funk (if you wanna have a good time)
You've got to roll with the funk (if you wanna have a good time)
You got to dance with the funk (if you wanna be sweet and fine)
I said I like to dance with the funk (if you wanna be sweet and fine)
You've got to shake with the funk (if you wanna have a good time)
Shaking shaking shaking with the funk (if you wanna have a good time)
Gimme that funky horn (gimme that funky horn)
I need that funky horn (I need that funky horn)
Play that funky horn now (gimme that funky horn)
A break down, a break down, a break, get down
Dance everybody move your body through the music
Get it started, get into it
Come on everybody do it
You've got to dance through the music
People doing what you're doing
People grooving with the music
You've got to roll with the funk
Roll with your funk (if you're wanna have a good time)
R-O-double-L keep rolling with the funk (if you're wanna have a good time)
And roll! To a funky place
I'm rolling (where?)
To a to a to a funky funky place
I'm rolling! To a funky place
I'll be there, I'll be there, I'll be there, I'll be there...
It's funky, funk, funk, funk funky...
"They Don't Want Music" is a song by the Black Eyed Peas, released as a single from their fourth studio album, "Monkey Business." It was co-written by the band members and produced by will.i.am. The song is a commentary on the state of contemporary music, which they claim values beats over creativity and musicianship.
The opening line, "They don't want music, they don't know how to use it," is a criticism of the current popular music industry. The band believes that the industry focuses on creating catchy beats rather than original music with meaning. They highlight this point by repeating the phrase, "All they want is a boom, boom, boom, boom" throughout the song.
The lyrics also talk about the band's passion for music and their commitment to creating high-quality music that is worth listening to. The song highlights the use of instruments such as saxophone and cello, showcasing the band’s respectful nod to the jazz era.
Overall, "They Don't Want Music" is a call to musicians and listeners alike to value creativity and originality in music. The track's upbeat tempo and catchy lyrics make it an ideal party anthem.
Line by Line Meaning
They don't want music, they don't know how to use it
People don't appreciate the value of true music anymore and they don't know how to appreciate it either.
All they want is (a boom, boom, boom, boom)
All they want is something that has an instant and catchy beat that they can dance to.
Hey y'all, John Coltrane yeah he plays the sax
I appreciate and respect true, talented musicians like John Coltrane who play real music.
Me, myself I love to max
I enjoy expressing myself through creating music.
Up in the studio laying tracks
I am working hard in the recording studio creating music.
Burn it on the CD, melt the wax
Once we're done recording music in the studio, we create copies of it to distribute it so everyone can enjoy it on CDs or records.
And now I'm feeling fine
I feel great knowing that I am creating and sharing quality music.
Coz daily music's on my mind
I am constantly thinking about music every day because it is an important part of my life.
And I feel mellow
Listening to music helps to calm me down and put me in a relaxed state.
When I watch the girl play the cello
I appreciate and find it soothing to listen to music played by real instruments like the cello.
Hello to all my fellow peers in here for the quality
I greet and respect my fellow peers in the music industry who create and appreciate quality music.
Music quality, yeah
The most important thing for us as musicians is to create the best quality music possible.
That'll be the focus in the top pick of the day
We will always prioritize and focus on creating and promoting quality music.
So pass the peas like we used to say
Let's collaborate and share our music with each other like we used to share food.
Pass the beats like they used to say
Let's share and collaborate on creating music with each other like we used to share beats.
Pass the phunk like they used to say
Let's share and collaborate on creating funky music like we used to share food.
That's my joint like we used to say
That's my favorite song and this is something we used to say.
Syncopation the true school way
We create music in the traditional, authentic way with syncopation.
I don't know what you came to do
I am not sure what your intentions are.
I came to drop the funk on you
I am here to share and spread funky music with you.
Depends on that sonic sound
The success of our music depends on how the sound is received by the audience.
They don't want music (x2)
People nowadays don't appreciate or value good quality music.
They just want (a boom, boom, boom boom boom (x2))
All they want is something that has an instant and catchy beat that they can dance to.
The good back horn
The good old-fashioned use of a saxophone or a trumpet in music.
Ooh, la la aw wee wee
Expressing excitement and happiness for music and dancing.
Nowadays music is all about fee
Music nowadays is created for profit and money.
The soul is caged no bits now free
Music created today is not authentic or true to the soul.
Unless the rhyme was rocked by me
Unless I am involved in creating the music and lyrics, it will not be true to my soul.
I got the balls to bang (baw ba-ba-baw, ba-ba-baw, ba-baw bang)
I have the confidence and courage to create music that has a powerful impact.
Yeah, steady, just doing my thang (steady, just steady, just doing my own thang)
I am focused and consistent in creating music that is true to me.
I just do it (ha!)
I am able to create music easily and effortlessly.
My momma said to do what you know
My mother advised me to follow my passion and do what I love.
So I'ma do what I know
I am going to create music because that's what I know and what I love.
James Brown gave me the fluid
I am influenced and inspired by true, legendary music artists like James Brown.
That means a baby could do it
The music I create is so powerful and authentic that even a baby could create it.
The Peas will do it so
The Black Eyed Peas will create authentic and powerful music too.
Do it, do it, do it
Let's create and share great music together.
Get up on the stage and release my fluid
I feel the most alive and passionate when I am performing my music on stage for others to enjoy.
Do my thing, do it through the music
I am expressing myself and who I am through my music.
Funkafied and therapeutic
The music I create is a combination of the funky sound and is therapeutic for my soul.
Wait a minute!
Hold on, let me tell you something important.
You got to rock with the funk (if you wanna have a good time) (x2)
You need to get into and enjoy funky music if you want to have a good time.
You got to roll with the funk (if you wanna have a good time) (x2)
You need to enjoy and let loose with funky music if you want to have a good time.
You got to roll with the funk (if you wanna be sweet and fine, hey! Hey! Hey!)
If you want to feel confident and good about yourself, you need to enjoy and let loose with funky music.
Rock with the punk (if you gonna have a good time)
Enjoy and get into some funky punk music if you want to have a good time.
A woman that'll funk your horn now (gimme that funky horn!)
A woman who can play a powerful and funky piece on the saxophone or trumpet.
Play that funky horn now (gimme that funky horn)
Play a powerful and funky piece on the saxophone or trumpet, right now.
Gimme that funky horn now (gimme that funky horn)
Give me the opportunity to play a powerful and funky piece on the saxophone or trumpet.
Hey! Hey! Hey!
Expressing excitement and happiness.
You've got to dance through the music
Let loose and dance to the music.
People doing what you're doing
Other people are also enjoying and letting loose to the music like you are.
People grooving with the music
People are naturally moving and feeling the music.
You've got to roll with the funk
You need to enjoy and let loose with funky music to feel good about yourself.
Roll with your funk (if you're wanna have a good time)
Enjoy and let loose with the type of funky music that makes you happy and feel good.
R-O-double-L keep rolling with the funk (if you're wanna have a good time)
Keep enjoying and letting loose to funky music if you want to have a good time.
And roll! To a funky place
Let's keep rolling and enjoying funky music that will take us to a great, happy place.
I'm rolling (where?)
I am letting loose and enjoying funky music.
To a to a to a funky funky place
To a happy and exciting place because of the enjoyment of funky music.
I'll be there, I'll be there, I'll be there, I'll be there...
I will always be here creating and forging ahead with funky music.
It's funky, funk, funk, funk funky...
This is something that is super funky and enjoyable.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Cloud9
Written by: Will Adams, Stacy Ferguson, James Brown, Printz Board, Darryl Barnes, Greg Mays, Tim Orindgreff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind