Work It Out
Earth Wind & Fire Lyrics
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We gonn' turn this round
We gonn' show you how to make it
We gonn' work it out
Let me show you how
We gonn' work it out, yeah
And you should listen to me
Young brothas' never listen to what the grown folks say
But you know, better
Look around the streets
Ain't nothin' but liquor stores, funerals, and check cashing places
We gonn' work it out
(We gonn' work this out)
We gonn' turn this round
(We gonn' turn this round)
The pendulum is swingin' right above your head
We gonn' work it out
Let me show you how
Get on ya feet and stand up for where you lay
(Can't give) Can't give watcha never had
(Show them) Show them love, good or bad
They'll hate your better state
Try to keep you down from flyin'
Let's get, to a better bay
Love flows, how crazy
Conditions at the moment
Our mission set us straight (ooh, yeah)
We gonn' work it out
(We gonn' work it out)
We gonn' turn this round
(We gonn' turn this round)
The pendulum is swingin' right above your head
We gonn' work it out (work it out)
Let me show you how (show you how)
Gonn' live the life that life was meant to be
Get up off them corners right now yall
Let's slang a revolution
The system is a minority vault
You're as good as gold as long as you're an institution
We gonn' work it out
(We gonn' work it out)
We gonn' turn this round
(We gonn' turn this round)
The pendulum is swingin' right above your head
We gonn' work it out (work it out)
Let me show you how (show you how)
Gonn' live the life that life was meant to be
Get up off them corners right now yall
Let's slang some revolution
The system is a minority vault
You're as good as gold as long as you're an institution
Get up off them corners right now yall
Let's slang a revolution
The system is a minority vault
You're as good as gold as long as you're an institution
Work it out, let's work it out...
Let's work it out, let's work it out...
We gonn' work it out
We gonn' turn this round
Gonn' work it out...
The lyrics of Earth Wind and Fire's song "Work It Out" convey a message of hope and empowerment. The singer is addressing a younger generation, advising them to listen to him because he knows what he's talking about. He acknowledges that young people often ignore the advice of their elders. But he asks them to look around and see the difficult reality of their surroundings, with its lack of opportunities and abundance of liquor stores, funerals, and check cashing places. Despite this, he says, "we gonn' work it out," and invites them to join him in turning things around.
The song encourages taking action, standing up for oneself and one's community, and working towards a better future. The lyrics describe a society that may try to hold one down, but one must persevere and push for change. It emphasizes that projecting positivity and love can turn someone's fate around, and sings about how this can lead to a better life that we all deserve. The repetition of the chorus throughout the song reinforces the message of unity, resilience, and teamwork in achieving an ultimate goal, despite any existing adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
We gonn' work it out
We are going to work through our problems and find a solution
We gonn' turn this round
We are going to make positive changes to improve our situation
We gonn' show you how to make it
We will demonstrate our methods for success
Let me show you how
Allow me to teach and guide you
I know somethings
I have valuable knowledge and insight
And you should listen to me
You will benefit from taking my advice
Young brothas' never listen to what the grown folks say
Young people often disregard the advice of their elders
But you know, better
However, you should understand the wisdom of experience
Look around the streets
Observe the environment around you
Ain't nothin' but liquor stores, funerals, and check cashing places
The neighborhood is plagued with poverty, addiction, and death
The pendulum is swingin' right above your head
The situation is precarious and could easily tip in either direction
Get on ya feet and stand up for where you lay
Take action to improve your community and defend your home
Can't give watcha never had
You cannot offer what you do not possess
Show them love, good or bad
Demonstrate kindness and empathy, regardless of circumstances
They'll hate your better state
Some individuals will resent your success
Try to keep you down from flyin'
They will attempt to prevent you from achieving your goals
Let's get, to a better bay
Let's reach a more promising future
Love flows, how crazy
Love has a powerful effect on the world
Conditions at the moment
The current situation
Our mission set us straight (ooh, yeah)
Our goal will guide us and keep us on track
Get up off them corners right now yall
Stop loitering and take action to improve your surroundings
Let's slang a revolution
Let's provoke change and create a movement
The system is a minority vault
The power structure benefits a small group at the expense of the majority
You're as good as gold as long as you're an institution
You will be valued and respected as long as you are part of the established system
Work it out, let's work it out...
Let's collaborate to find a solution
Gonn' live the life that life was meant to be
We will pursue our dreams and fulfill our potential
Contributed by Joshua Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.