Mayfield is probably best known for his anthemic music with The Impressions and for the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Superfly.
Perhaps because he didn't cross over to the pop audience as heavily as Motown's stars, it may be that the scope of Curtis Mayfield's talents and contributions have yet to be fully recognized. Judged merely by his records alone, the man's legacy is enormous. As the leader of the Impressions, he recorded some of the finest soul vocal group music of the 1960s. As a solo artist in the 1970s, he helped pioneer funk and helped introduce hard-hitting urban commentary into soul music. "Gypsy Woman," "It's All Right," "People Get Ready," "Freddie's Dead," and "Superfly" are merely the most famous of his many hit records.
But Curtis Mayfield wasn't just a singer. Born in in Chicago, IL, he wrote most of his material at a time when that was not the norm for soul performers. He was among the first -- if not the very first -- to speak openly about African-American pride and community struggle in his compositions. As a songwriter and a producer, he was a key architect of Chicago Soul, penning material and working on sessions by notable Windy City soulsters like Gene Chandler, Jerry Butler, Major Lance, and Billy Butler. In this sense, he can be compared to Smokey Robinson, who also managed to find time to write and produce many classics for other soul stars. Mayfield was also an excellent guitarist, and his rolling, Latin-influenced lines were highlights of the Impressions' recordings in the '60s. During the next decade, he would toughen up his guitar work and production, incorporating some of the best features of psychedelic rock and funk.
Mayfield began his career as an associate of Jerry Butler, with whom he formed the Impressions in the late '50s. After the Impressions had a big hit in 1958 with "For Your Precious Love," Butler, who had sung lead on the record, split to start a solo career. Mayfield, while keeping the Impressions together, continued to write for and tour with Butler before the Impressions got their first Top 20 hit in 1961, "Gypsy Woman."
Mayfield was heavily steeped in gospel music before he entered the pop arena, and gospel, as well as doo wop, influences would figure prominently in most of his '60s work. Mayfield wasn't a staunch traditionalist, however. He and the Impressions may have often worked the call-and-response gospel style, but his songs (romantic and otherwise) were often veiled or unveiled messages of black pride, reflecting the increased confidence and self-determination of the African-American community. Musically he was an innovator as well, using arrangements that employed the punchy, blaring horns and Latin-influenced rhythms that came to be trademark flourishes of Chicago soul. As the staff producer for the OKeh label, Mayfield was also instrumental in lending his talents to the work of other Chi-town soul singers who went on to national success. With Mayfield singing lead and playing guitar, the Impressions had 14 Top 40 hits in the 1960s (five made the Top 20 in 1964 alone), and released some above-average albums during that period as well.
Given Mayfield's prodigious talents, it was perhaps inevitable that he would eventually leave the Impressions to begin a solo career, as he did in 1970. His first few singles boasted a harder, more funk-driven sound; singles like "(Don't Worry) If There's a Hell Below, We're All Gonna Go" found him confronting ghetto life with a realism that had rarely been heard on record. He really didn't hit his artistic or commercial stride as a solo artist, though, until Superfly, his soundtrack to a 1972 blaxploitation film. Drug deals, ghetto shootings, the death of young black men before their time: all were described in penetrating detail. Yet Mayfield's irrepressible falsetto vocals, uplifting melodies, and fabulous funk pop arrangements gave the oft-moralizing material a graceful strength that few others could have achieved. For all the glory of his past work, Superfly stands as his crowning achievement, not to mention a much-needed counterpoint to the sensationalistic portrayals of the film itself.
At this point Mayfield, along with Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, was the foremost exponent of a new level of compelling auteurism in soul. His failure to maintain the standards of Superfly qualifies as one of the great disappointments in the history of black popular music. Perhaps he'd simply reached his peak after a long climb, but the rest of his '70s work didn't match the musical brilliance and lyrical subtleties of Superfly, although he had a few large R&B hits in a much more conventional vein, such as "Kung Fu," "So in Love," and "Only You Babe."
Mayfield had a couple of hits in the early '80s, but the decade generally found his commercial fortunes in a steady downward spiral, despite some intermittent albums.
On August 14, 1990, he became paralyzed from the neck down when a lighting rig fell on top of him at a concert in Brooklyn, NY. In 1993, three years after the accident which caused Mayfield's paralysis, Shanachie records released the album People Get Ready: A Tribute to Curtis Mayfield featuring a.o. Jerry Butler, Don Covay and Steve Cropper.
Mayfield received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995.
Curtis Mayfield died December 26, 1999 at the North Fulton Regional Hospital in Roswell, Georgia.
Keep On Pushing
Curtis Mayfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep on pushing
I've got to keep on pushing (mmm-hmm)
I can't stop now
Move up a little higher
Some way, somehow
And it don't make sense
Not to keep on pushing
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Keep on pushing
Now maybe some day (mmm-hmm)
I'll reach that higher goal
I know I can make it
With just a little bit of soul
'Cause I've got my strength
And it don't make sense
Not to keep on pushing
Now look-a look (look-a look)
A-look-a yonder
What's that I see
A great big stone wall
Stands there ahead of me
But I've got my pride
And I'll move on aside
And keep on pushing
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Keep on pushing
Keep on pushing, what'd I say
Keep on pushing, well it's all right
Keep on pushing
The lyrics of the song "Keep on Pushing" by Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions are about perseverance and determination. The singer acknowledges that while the struggle may be difficult, they have to keep pushing forward, no matter what obstacles may appear in their path.
The first verse speaks of the singer's commitment to their goals, indicating that they cannot afford to slow down or lose momentum. The second verse gives hope that the struggle will eventually yield positive results if they continue to remain steadfast. The line "with just a little bit of soul" suggests that the singer believes that their inner spirit will ultimately carry them through to success.
The third verse acknowledges that obstacles will often appear, as symbolized by the "great big stone wall." Yet despite this, the singer refuses to be deterred. They are determined to keep moving, fueled by their pride and unshakable belief in themselves. The repetition of the refrain "keep on pushing" reinforces the message of perseverance throughout the song.
Overall, the lyrics of "Keep on Pushing" are a call to action for anyone facing adversity. The song encourages listeners to stay focused on their goals and never give up, no matter how hard the road may be.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep on pushing
Don't stop making progress towards your goals
I've got to keep on pushing (mmm-hmm)
I have a responsibility to continue striving
I can't stop now
Giving up is not an option
Move up a little higher
Strive to achieve more
Some way, somehow
Find a way to make progress
'Cause I've got my strength
I have personal power that can help me succeed
And it don't make sense
It would be illogical to quit or give up
Not to keep on pushing
I must continue making progress
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Expressing joy or relief at the thought of continuing to push towards my goals
Now maybe some day (mmm-hmm)
At some point in the future
I'll reach that higher goal
I can achieve more than I thought possible
I know I can make it
I believe in my ability to succeed
With just a little bit of soul
By embracing my passion for success and working hard
Now look-a look (look-a look)
Observe
A-look-a yonder
Look in the distance
What's that I see
I notice a problem or obstacle
A great big stone wall
A metaphor for a major obstacle
Stands there ahead of me
There is a significant challenge blocking my progress
But I've got my pride
I have a sense of self-respect and integrity
And I'll move on aside
I'll find a way to bypass the obstacle
And keep on pushing
I won't let the obstacle derail my progress
Keep on pushing, what'd I say
I am reinforcing the message of the song to myself and others
Keep on pushing, well it's all right
It's okay and necessary to work hard and persevere
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CURTIS L MAYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ian Toney
Keep on pushing
Keep on pushing
I've got to keep on pushing (mmm-hmm)
I can't stop now
Move up a little higher
Some way, somehow
'Cause I've got my strength
And it don't make sense
Not to keep on pushing
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Keep on pushing
Now maybe some day (mmm-hmm)
I'll reach that higher goal
I know I can make it
With just a little bit of soul
'Cause I've got my strength
And it don't make sense
Not to keep on pushing
Now look-a look (look-a look)
A-look-a yonder
What's that I see
A great big stone wall
Stands there ahead of me
But I've got my pride
And I'll move on aside
And keep on pushing
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Keep on pushing
Keep on pushing, what'd I say
Keep on pushing, well it's all right
Keep on pushing
Source: LyricFind
Kris Dukes
This was Dr. M. L. King's favorite song! This is one of my all-time favorites as well. Keep on pushin' people!!!
Spider Reed
Whos that? Was he a junkie?
Teena Phelps
Curtis Mayfield was a musical genius and great humanitarian. He was a gift to the World, and one of Chicago's very own. 😀😀😀💞
dfreeman120
100%
PrettyWise Star
My dad always told me to listen to this song when things get hard, he passed away 2 years ago well here I am 💜
Elaine Pridgen
My father used to sing this all the time: That’s exactly why searched for this song.
Ernest Eggleston
Wise advice, l remember this song has always been in my spirit even to this day 35 years later still has that same power, your dad was right, we were raised on these very songs, they still ring true to help us get through.. So keep on pushing! You're not alone, many are gone, but many are still right here with us!! Be Encouraged! Keep Pushing!
Wanda Crawford
Condolences & Prayers
My2much4u
I dedicate this song to all my brothers and sisters. I know things can get hard sometimes but we have to keep on pushing.💕💙💙😊
Wanda Crawford
We have no CHOICE