Founder Al Kooper conceived Blood, Sweat and Tears as an experiment in expanding the size and scope of the rock band with touches of jazz , blues , classical , and folk music. When Kooper was forced out of the band soon after its eclectic debut, Child Is Father to the Man, BS&T became increasingly identified as a "jazz-rock" group, although its music was essentially easy-listening rhythm and blues or rock with the addition of brass.
Kooper formed BS&T after leaving the Blues Project in 1967. The nucleus of the original band was Steve Katz, also of the Blues Project; Jim Fielder, who had played with the Mothers of Invention and Buffalo Springfield; and Bobby Colomby, who had drummed behind folksingers Odetta and Eric Andersen. The horn players were recruited from New York jazz and studio bands. Child Is Father featured songs by Harry Nilsson, Tim Buckley, Randy Newman, Gerry Goffin, and Carole King, along with Kooper originals and arrangements by Fred Lipsius for brass, strings, and studio effects. The band nearly broke up when Kooper, Randy Brecker, and Jerry Weiss left (Brecker to join The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra). Regrouping under Katz and Colomby, and fronted by David Clayton-Thomas (who had sung with a Canadian blues band, The Bossmen), BS&T entered a period of immense popularity. Blood, Sweat & Tears featured arrangements of music by French composer Erik Satie and jazz singer Billie Holiday, as well as by Laura Nyro, Steve Winwood, and others. It was the #1 album for seven weeks in 1969, sold over 3 million copies, and spawned three gold singles: “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” “Spinning Wheel,” and “And When I Die,” each of which hit #2.
In 1970 the U.S. State Department sent the band on a goodwill tour of Yugoslavia, Romania, and Poland. Blood, Sweat & Tears 3 duplicated the Blood, Sweat & Tears mix of styles and was almost as popular. The album went to #1, and two singles, “Hi-De-Ho” and “Lucretia MacEvil,” hit the Top 30. But interest in the group began to wane, and 4, which contained almost all original material, barely made the Top 10. In 1971 “Go Down Gamblin’” was its last hit. By the time Clayton-Thomas left for a solo career in 1972, BS&T’s place on the charts had been filled by similarly styled bands such as Chicago, Chase, and Ides of March. Katz left the next year, first to join the short-lived American Flyer and then to an A&R position at Mercury Records.
BS&T became regulars in Las Vegas, with ever-changing personnel recruited largely from big bands like Maynard Ferguson’s, Woody Herman’s, and Doc Severinsen’s. Vocalist Jerry LaCroix appeared between his tenures with Edgar Winter’s White Trash and Rare Earth, while guitarist Mike Stern later played with Miles Davis’ early-’80s band. Clayton-Thomas’ return in 1974 briefly boosted BS&T’s popularity, but Columbia dropped the group, and Colomby, the last original member, left in 1976. He continued to influence BS&T as producer of Brand New Day and, with Clayton-Thomas, as co-owner of the band’s name and catalogue. He then moved on to a career in A&R for several labels, as well as TV reporting. Since 1975 the live act has been billed as Blood, Sweat and Tears Featuring David Clayton-Thomas. [from The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll (Simon & Schuster, 2001)
http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/bloodsweatandtears/biography
In late 2005, the band returned to touring. The year 2007 witnessed the band's first world tour in a decade. From 2008 through 2010, Steve Katz returned to appear at BS&T's shows as a special guest.
From 2013 till 2018, Blood Sweat and Tears was fronted by Bo Bice, who was the runner-up against Carrie Underwood in the fourth season of American Idol.
In 2018, the group decided to replace Bice with former Tower of Power singer Tom Bowes, who had previously done a brief stint with BS&T back in July through November 2012.
In 2019 Keith Paluso, from the reality TV show The Voice, was chosen as BS&T's new singer.
God Bless the Child
Blood Sweat & Tears Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Them that's not, shall lose
So the Bible said, and it still is news
Mama may have, and papa may have
God bless' the child,
That's got his own
That's got his own
While the weak ones fade
Empty pockets don't
Ever make the grade
As mama may have
And papa may have
God bless' the child
That's got his own
That's got his own.
And when you got money,
You got a lots of friends
Crowdin' 'round your door
When the money's gone
And all you're spendin' ends
They won't be 'round any more
No, no, no more
And rich relations
May give you
A crust of bread and such
You can help yourself
But don't take too much
Mama may have
And your papa may have
But God bless' the child
That's got his own
That's got his own
God bless' the child who can stand up and say
I've got my own
Ev'ry child's, got to have his own!
The lyrics of "God Bless the Child" by Blood Sweat & Tears is about the inherent inequality that exists in society. The opening lines suggest that those who are already wealthy will continue to prosper, while those who are not will continue to suffer. The line "So the Bible said, and it still is news" reinforces the idea that this is a timeless truth.
The chorus of the song, "God bless' the child who's got his own" celebrates the idea that those who are financially self-sufficient are the ones who are truly blessed. This is contrasted with the idea that having wealth or status can attract insincere friends who only stick around as long as there's something to gain.
The final lines, "Mama may have, and your papa may have, but God bless' the child that's got his own" reinforces the sentiment that it's important to be able to take care of yourself, regardless of your background or upbringing.
Overall, "God Bless the Child" is a powerful commentary on the way society functions and the ways in which wealth can impact relationships and social standing.
Line by Line Meaning
Them that's got, shall get
Those who have wealth and power, will continue to accumulate more of it.
Them that's not, shall lose
Those who lack wealth and power, will continue to lose what little they have.
So the Bible said, and it still is news
This has been a longstanding pattern throughout history and is still relevant today.
Mama may have, and papa may have
Parents may have wealth and power, but it does not guarantee success for their children.
God bless' the child,
That's got his own
That's got his own
The child who is able to achieve success on their own, without relying on the wealth or power of others, is truly blessed.
Yes the strong seem to get more
Those who are already in a position of wealth and power, gain even more of it over time.
While the weak ones fade
Those who lack wealth and power, continue to fall farther behind.
Empty pockets don't
Ever make the grade
As mama may have
And papa may have
Lack of wealth and power makes it difficult to succeed, even if parents had success in the past.
And when you got money,
You got a lots of friends
Crowdin' 'round your door
Wealth attracts friends and acquaintances who seek to benefit from it.
When the money's gone
And all you're spendin' ends
They won't be 'round any more
No, no, no more
Once wealth is gone, so are the friends who profited from it, leaving the person alone and struggling.
And rich relations
May give you
A crust of bread and such
You can help yourself
But don't take too much
Wealthy family members may provide some basic support, but don't expect more than the bare minimum, and never take advantage of their generosity.
Mama may have
And your papa may have
But God bless' the child
That's got his own
Parents' success does not guarantee success for their children, but those who are able to achieve success on their own are truly blessed.
God bless' the child
That's got his own
That's got his own.
The child who is able to achieve success on their own, without relying on the wealth or power of others, is truly blessed.
God bless' the child who can stand up and say
I've got my own
Ev'ry child's, got to have his own!
It is important for everyone to be able to achieve success on their own, without relying on the wealth or power of others, in order to truly feel blessed.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Spirit Music Group
Written by: Arthur Herzog, Billie Holiday
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@phillipcharlesashwood1850
Lyrical re-visio .
Thems that needs, shall fail,
Thems that want, shall take,
Like the blind man said,
Better eat the snail,
Papa may have,
Mama may have,
But Self bless the Self that takes/eats/do, its own,
That, takes its own.
@dbrinkm1
I will soon be 77 and first heard this album while a senior at Illinois State university in 1968. I learned to read music. play coronet, trumpet and baritone at age 11. This song present's a superb arrangement [with an epic intro ] with extraordinary musical artistry skills while covering the musical forms of jazz, pop, rock and blues, Vocals by David Clayton Thomas are superb and add a fine fabric of texture that holds it all together. This never grows old...as ordered sound enters the soul and elevates the consciousness of man. "God Bless the child that's got his own" ....db
@timothyoneal4006
I was 11 when this album came out, and it changed me forever. I'd like to think it changed me for the better.
@dbrinkm1
and I too...hope it did !!!
@sfsphil
Slight correction...David Clayton-Thomas
@3lonewolf3
My introduction to blues performed by r&r band...powerful...I was 15
@dbrinkm1
correct....must have been thinking of the lone ranger...lol !
@chrisarensdorf9656
God bless the Hammond B-3!!
@MrDallman
My God I’m so glad I’m old enough now to have been young enough back then…
@66impala71
Well said
@roscoearbuckle2
"...and when you've got money, you've got lots of friends crowding round your door..."❤