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.
No Thing On Me
Curtis Mayfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And in my opinion I have found that
People are the same everywhere
They have the same fears
Shed similar tears
Die in so many years
The oppressed seem to have suffered the most
In every continent - coast to coast
We break it all down
In hopes that you might understand
Don't make no profit for The Man
I'm so glad I've got my own
So glad that I can see
My life's a natural high
The man can't put no thing on me
I'm so glad I've got my own
So glad that I can see
My life's a natural high
The man can't put no thing on me
There's somethin' kinda funny
How The Man take your money
He's shrewd as he can be
In such a way you'll never see
It's a terrible thing inside
When your natural high has died
The weaker turn to dope
And put all aside their hope
I'm so glad I've got my own
So glad that I can see
My life's a natural high
The man can't put no thing on me
I'm so glad I've got my own
So glad that I can see
My life's a natural high
The man can't put no thing on me
Twinkling twinkling grains
They do all sorts of things
While your inner mind is pleased
Your conscience is only teased
More and more you feed
Until you grow another need
Playing fantasy
You have no reality
I'm so glad I've got my own
So glad that I can see
My life's a natural high
The man can't put no thing on me
I'm so glad I've got my own
So glad that I can see
My life's a natural high
The man can't put no thing on me
Sit down and take a listen
This may be something that you're missin'
I know your mind,
You want it funky
But you don't have to be no junkie
Just be glad you've got your own
So glad that I can see
My life's a natural high
The Man can't put no thing on me
I'm so glad I've got my own
So glad that I can see
My life's a natural high
The man can't put no thing on me
Sure is funky
Sure is funky
I ain't no junkie
I ain't no junkie
Sure is funky
Sure is funky
I ain't no junkie
I ain't no junkie
I'm so glad I've got my own
So glad that I can see
Curtis Mayfield's "No Thing On Me" is a social commentary on the oppression of people around the world, particularly those who have suffered the most. Mayfield describes how people everywhere have the same fears and shed similar tears. The oppressed have suffered the most and it doesn't matter what continent they're on. In the song, Mayfield puts the blame for these social problems on "The Man" or "The Pusherman." They're the ones who take your money in such a sly way that you'll never see it. It's a terrible thing when your natural high dies and people turn to drugs to deal with their pain. Mayfield believes that the only way to avoid this problem is to be independent and self-sufficient. If you're glad you've got your own, the man can't put no thing on you.
Mayfield uses metaphorical language throughout the song to illustrate his point. He calls "The Man" the pusherman, suggesting that he's pushing people down and pushing drugs on them. He talks about "twinkling twinkling grains" which are likely a reference to drugs like cocaine, that can give you a temporary high but ultimately leave you disappointed. Curtis Mayfield's goal is to empower people and encourage them to take control of their own lives. He wants them to recognize their own value and refuse to be oppressed or controlled by others.
Line by Line Meaning
I've met many people over the years
Throughout my life, I have encountered countless individuals
And in my opinion I have found that
Based on my experiences, I believe that
People are the same everywhere
Regardless of where they come from, people share common traits
They have the same fears
Everyone experiences fear at some point in their life
Shed similar tears
People cry for comparable reasons
Die in so many years
Humans have a limited lifespan
The oppressed seem to have suffered the most
Those who are mistreated or marginalized tend to endure the most pain
In every continent - coast to coast
This kind of suffering is universal and occurs everywhere
Now our lives are in the hands of The Pusherman
Our futures are being controlled by those who seek profit and power
We break it all down
Let me explain it all in detail
In hopes that you might understand
My aim is that you will comprehend the message
Don't make no profit for The Man
Don't contribute to the people who are controlling and exploiting us
I'm so glad I've got my own
I am thankful to have my individuality and independence
So glad that I can see
I am grateful to have the ability to understand and appreciate life
My life's a natural high
I am content and fulfilled without the need for external substances or experiences
The man can't put no thing on me
I won't allow society or authority figures to control or manipulate me
There's somethin' kinda funny
There is something strange or peculiar going on
How The Man take your money
Those in power take advantage of people by exploiting them for their money
He's shrewd as he can be
They are clever and deceptive in their tactics
In such a way you'll never see
They are so cunning that you won't even realize what they're doing
It's a terrible thing inside
It brings about negative emotions and feelings within oneself
When your natural high has died
When you lose your ability to be content and fulfilled without external substances or experiences
The weaker turn to dope
Those who are vulnerable or struggling may turn to drugs to cope
And put all aside their hope
They abandon their aspirations and dreams
Twinkling twinkling grains
The allure of drugs or substances
They do all sorts of things
They have various effects on the body and mind
While your inner mind is pleased
While it may bring temporary pleasure or satisfaction
Your conscience is only teased
It goes against one's morals and values
More and more you feed
The more you use drugs or substances, the more you'll crave them
Until you grow another need
It becomes an addiction that requires more and more to satisfy
Playing fantasy
Escaping reality
You have no reality
You lose touch with reality
Sit down and take a listen
Listen carefully to what I have to say
This may be something that you're missin'
This could be the missing piece you've been searching for
I know your mind
I understand how you think and feel
You want it funky
You want things to be cool and exciting
But you don't have to be no junkie
You do not have to turn to drugs or substances to experience pleasure or satisfaction
Just be glad you've got your own
Find joy and fulfillment in your own individuality and independence
Sure is funky
It's really cool and exciting
I ain't no junkie
I do not use drugs or substances to find happiness or fulfillment
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CURTIS MAYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DOMONIQUE T. AYERS
THE LATE AND GREAT CURTIS MAYFIELD WAS A GREAT SINGER, WITH TRULY AMAZING STORIES
TO TELL THROUGH HIS CREATIVITY AS A SONGWRITER, AND AS A
MUSICIAN, LIVING OUT HIS
LIFE TO THE MAX
AND CURTIS MAYFIELD HAS LEFT HIS AMAZING
LEGACY FOR HIS FAMILY FRIENDS AND FANS TO ENJOY AND HE WILL BE
HIGHLY MISSED MORE THEN HE EVER KNOW, CURTIS MAYFIELD R. I. P.........
John Jones
I've met many people over the years
And in my opinion I have found that
People are the same everywhere
They have the same fears
Shed similar tears
Die in so many years
The oppressed seem to have suffered the most
In every continent - coast to coast
Now our lives are in the hands of The Pusherman
We break it all down
In hopes that you might understand
Don't make no profit for The Man
I'm so glad I've got my own
So glad that I can see
My life's a natural high
The man can't put no thing on me
I'm so glad I've got my own
So glad that I can see
My life's a natural high
The man can't put no thing on me
There's somethin' kinda funny
How The Man take your money
He's shrewd as he can be
In such a way you'll never see
It's a terrible thing inside
When your natural high has died
The weaker turn to dope
And put all aside their hope
I'm so glad I've got my own
So glad that I can see
My life's a natural high
The man can't put no thing on me
I'm so glad I've got my own
So glad that I can see
My life's a natural high
The man can't put no thing on me
Twinkling twinkling grains
They do all sorts of things
While your inner mind is pleased
Your conscience is only teased
More and more you feed
Until you grow another need
Playing fantasy
You have no reality
I'm so glad I've got my own
So glad that I can see
My life's a natural high
The man can't put no thing on me
I'm so glad I've got my own
So glad that I can see
My life's a natural high
The man can't put no thing on me
Sit down and take a listen
This may be something that you're missin'
I know your mind,
You want it funky
But you don't have to be no junkie
Just be glad you've got your own
So glad that I can see
My life's a natural high
The Man can't put no thing on me
I'm so glad I've got my own
So glad that I can see
My life's a natural high
The man can't put no thing on me
Sure is funky
Sure is funky
I ain't no junkie
I ain't no junkie
Sure is funky
Sure is funky
I ain't no junkie
I ain't no junkie
I'm so glad I've got my own
So glad that I can see
Mia Johnson
Curtis Mayfield....A TRUE Genius!!! He's one of the best singer, songwriter, producer, etc. of all time!! You are truely missed.🙏🏽❤️
Msann Taylor
At the Top..At The Top/ God Sanctioned.
Shelley Ross-Chaderton
Absolutely right. Gone too soon.
James the days of old. Carter
So true.
Tamia Bishir
@Msann Taylor d
Andre Thompson
My aunt bought me this album for Christmas when I was about 11 years old and I still have it and I still play it. Takes me back to a time when my grandparents were still living, I'm 60 now. Great album by a great singer and song writer.
Guy Vizard
Easily one of the best soundtracks of all time.
He Guards My Heart And Soul
"I'm so glad I've got my own. So glad that I can see. My life's a natural high. The man can't put no thing on me . . . It's a terrible thing inside when your natural high has died. Sho is funky . . . But I ain't no junkie." This song's lyrics resonates one's triumph over substance abuse and into a spiritually self-reliant and responsible state of CONSCIOUS. I loved it then and now.
Corey Sheppard
I love the way this song makes me feel. Love how the horns perfectly respond to Curtis's terrific lyrics.
Claudette Mitchell
💃🏾 YES! YES! YES!