In the 1970s, he moved away from his previous hard-bop jazz base and began to record jazz fusion and rhythm and blues. Teaming up with the Mizell Brothers, he produced Black Byrd, which was enormously successful and became Blue Note Records' highest-ever selling album. The follow-up albums, Places and Spaces, Stepping Into Tomorrow, and Street Lady, were also big sellers, and have subsequently provided a rich source of samples for hip-hop artists such as Us3.
He has taught music at Rutgers University, the Hampton Institute, New York University, Howard University, and Oberlin College. In 1974 he created The Blackbyrds, a fusion group consisting of his best students. They scored several major hits, including "Walking In Rhythm" and "Blackbyrds Theme".
Street Lady
Donald Byrd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Liberated Lady of today
Remember all our childhood days
Boy and girl we used to play
Free now
Emancipation is what you've found
Legislation put me down
Woman of the world
Now that your eyes meet mine
You're where you want to be
You've come along way baby
Hey woman
Chauvinism's day is done
Now there isn't anyone
For you to look up to
Hey lady
If independence is your thing
You've got the world on a string
Go out and take your turn
Woman of the world
Where would you prefer me now
after all we've done together?
You want to pull away now.
You've come a long way baby
The lyrics of Donald Byrd's "Street Lady" are a message to women who have achieved liberation and independence in their lives. The song starts with the address, "Hey woman," directed towards the titular "Street Lady" who has found freedom and reign over her life. Byrd reminds the liberated lady that they have come a long way from their childhood, where they used to play as boys and girls. The song takes a nostalgic turn as Byrd wonders what happened to yesterday, implying that society has changed somehow, and women are now able to enjoy and thrive in a sense of freedom and independence.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the point of the song with the repeated refrain of "woman of the world," a phrase that captures this newfound liberation that women have found in modern society. Byrd acknowledges the fact that chauvinism is done and that women no longer need to look up to anyone, they have cleared the path themselves, and the world is theirs for the taking. A hint of sadness creeps into the song towards the end; Byrd wonders where the liberated women want him to be now. Still, he's happy that they have come a long way.
There's a degree of subtlety to the lyrics of "Street Lady," as Byrd manages to highlight the message of the song without beating anyone over the head with it. The song reminds women of their journey towards equality while recognizing and acknowledging the strides they have achieved. It is an insightful commentary on feminism, delivered as a soulful, funky song that has stood the test of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Woman,
Addressing a woman directly
Liberated Lady of today
Acknowledging the freedom women have achieved
Remember all our childhood days
Reflecting on past memories
Boy and girl we used to play
Recalling a time of innocence and equality
Free now
Living without constraints
Emancipation is what you've found
Acknowledging the historical struggle for gender equality
Legislation put me down
Referencing the societal limitations placed on men
What happened to yesterday?
Questioning a time when things were simpler
Woman of the world
Praising a woman's global perspective
Now that your eyes meet mine
Making a connection
You're where you want to be
Recognizing a personal sense of success
You've come along way baby
Celebrating the progress achieved
Hey woman
Addressing a woman directly
Chauvinism's day is done
Declaring a shift in societal attitudes
Now there isn't anyone
No longer needing to rely on men
For you to look up to
No longer idolizing men
Hey lady
Addressing a woman directly
If independence is your thing
Recognizing independence as a valuable goal
You've got the world on a string
Having the power to achieve anything
Go out and take your turn
Encouraging a woman to seize opportunities
Woman of the world
Praising a woman's global perspective
Where would you prefer me now
Questioning a potential shift in the relationship dynamic
after all we've done together?
Reflecting on the shared history between two people
You want to pull away now.
Recognizing a desire for independence
You've come a long way baby
Celebrating the progress achieved
Writer(s): Larry Mizell Copyright: Alruby Music Inc.
Contributed by Riley R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
T D
Donald Byrd - trumpet. (1973)
Roger Glenn - flute
Jerry Peters - piano, electric piano
Fonce Mizell - clavinet, trumpet, vocals
Fred Perren - synthesizer, vocals
David T. Walker - guitar
Chuck Rainey - electric bass
Harvey Mason - drums
King Errisson - congas and bongos
Stephanie Spruill - percussion
Larry Mizell - vocals, arranger, conductor
T D
Donald Byrd - trumpet. (1973)
Roger Glenn - flute
Jerry Peters - piano, electric piano
Fonce Mizell - clavinet, trumpet, vocals
Fred Perren - synthesizer, vocals
David T. Walker - guitar
Chuck Rainey - electric bass
Harvey Mason - drums
King Errisson - congas and bongos
Stephanie Spruill - percussion
Larry Mizell - vocals, arranger, conductor
Tyu Gnomo #Marilenes #Jujuba
TK- Steering wheel.
Blk Butterfly
Classy song about a lady of the evening.
DAVID WILKERSON
Only got a minute for love! it don't pay to stay too long, go on! And I know thats right. Thanks Donald Byrd.
gene thedancinmachine
whats the rest of the lyrics if you please
ViceRocker11
Driver Parallel Lines!! Old times!
Tiripsroirraw
Yes !!!
Ruis Leipä
Indeed. Always played on 78 era and listened to this :D
StooGP
Some of the main melody was repurposed as the equally great track "High Speed Chase" on Miles Davis' Doo Bop record.
Michael J
Awesome