THE WORLD
Charles Bradley Feat. Menahan Street Band Lyrics
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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
The lyrics of Charles Bradley's song The World talks about the chaos, destruction and hopelessness that is rampant in the world today. The first verse talks about how the world is burning in flames, but nobody wants to take responsibility for it. The lines “Don't tell me how to live my life when you never felt the pain” portray the helplessness and frustration of someone who is not ready to listen to the advice of others who are not feeling the pain. The chorus “They don’t hear me cry, they don’t hear me try” shows how the voices of certain people around us are not heard or listened to, and all they can do is keep trying and crying for a better future while the world burns down.
The second stanza highlights the irony of people looking who to blame for the situation without considering the role that they themselves might be playing in it. The lines “Is it you? Or you? Me, oh me” emphasize the fact that everyone is responsible for the world they live in, and that change can only begin when each individual starts taking responsibility for their actions. The last verse then calls for a better world and a better future, urging everyone to take part in creating a better world.
Overall, Charles Bradley's The World highlights the plight of people trying to survive in a world that is burning down. It is a call for action and for everyone to take responsibility for their actions in order to make a positive impact on the world we live in.
Line by Line Meaning
This world
The current state of society
Is going up in flames
The world is in crisis and despair is taking hold
And nobody
No one wants to take responsibility
Wanna take the blame
No one is willing to admit to their mistakes
Don't tell me
Do not preach to me
How to live my life
I am an individual in control of my own destiny
When you
You who
Never felt the pain
Have not gone through the same painful experiences as me
Come on babe
Come on, let's work together
They don't hear me cry
No one is listening to my pain
They don't hear me try
No one is recognizing my efforts
For what I'm gonna do
For what I still have to offer
I can't turn my head away
I cannot ignore the troubles around me
The world
Society
Is burning up in flames
Society is self-destructing
Is it you? Or you? You Or you? Me, oh me
Everyone, including myself, must question their own role in society
Don't stomp on that light
Don't shatter the remaining hope
Oh, it's killing me
The trauma of the world's problems is hard to bear
Gotta be A better world
We must strive for a better society
Gotta make it baby
We must work towards building a better future for all
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
@jroscoe1980
RIP Mr. Bradley. Thank you for the music you've given us.
@nathanbooth8708
Damn, the voice.
its almost like you can year years of pain and struggle through it.
@DJRCole
PURE!!! you don't get music like this anymore! his CD's are FIRE!!
@nathanpieper6385
This man is so talented. I love his voice. He literally must have had a time machine because you just don't hear soul like that.
@kirkgreen7973
Fuq yeah! U right
@ctt544
Rip Charles Bradley. Saw him perform in Burlington, VT back in 2013 or maybe 2014. Incredible performer. The man had soul, and style. See ya in the next one, Charles.
@BeatVisions
He had a life machine. Real soul to go with his life.
@Plmxns
amazing....at 54 to release 1st single, it took 54 years to understand whats your mission in this world! Never too late guys! Long time coming, but damn, this man is amazing. Respect from Russia.
@RiC_David
Found this man by chance, searching for something completely unrelated (a wrestler called MVP) on Google image search and thought he had an awesome purple suit. After I downloaded his 2011 album I was *certain* he must be a legend of soul. It's ridiculous that he's just now getting his break! Damn right I bought his album after - it's instantly one of my favourite discs of all time. Live long and stay strong, Mr. Bradley, I want to hear a lot more out of you.
@0Imtheslime0
Sad and mad by reading he has passed. Rest in POWER Charles Bradley...