Burdon left also this band and run back to stardome in the mid-70s with The Eric Burdon Band producing heavy rocking songs. He went on forming short-living groups such as Eric Burdon's Fire Dept. in 1980, another Eric Burdon Band in 1981, especially for a motion picture-starring role in Comeback for which he made the soundtrack and a reunion band with The Animals in 1983 to get back to the Mainstream Charts. The 1980s saw Burdon in genres such as heavy metal, new wave, pop, reggae, disco, blues, rock and roll, punk, funk and rap. He also published his album "I Used To Be An Animal" as well as his autobiography with the same title. He went on touring in stadiums as well as in small clubs around the world.
In 1990 he formed the Eric Burdon & Robby Krieger Band who toured mainly in America. They recorded some demo tapes, but never released them. In 1991 he toured the world again as Eric Burdon & Brian Auger Band. They released a double-live album, "Access All Areas" in 1993, showing versions of Burdon's old hits in new musical outfits, once again as a blues, metal, reggae and fusion performer.
In 1994 they got disbanded, Burdon got introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where he performed 1995 with Bon Jovi and created a new group of high-professional musicians, Eric Burdon's i Band. They disbanded in 1998 and he formed Eric Burdon & The New Animals. In 2003 they changed their name in Eric Burdon & The Animals, after some band changes. In 2004 the long awaited studio-album "My Secret Life" was released and brought him back into the mainstream charts and in late 2005 the live album "Athens Traffic Live" was released.
Burdon formed a new band-line-up, also touring as Eric Burdon & The Animals. In January 2006 he released "Soul of a Man", with good critics worldwide. He wanted to create an album who is dedicated to the blues and rnb. Since then he toured the world without a break, always looking for new material, performing with other famous musicians.
Recently, Burdon wrote a screenplay called "Twisted Oliver" and is working on a new studio album. He turned down tours with War and Linkin Park in the last year, but it seems that the new year is bringing many surprises.
Many of his bands also used elements of speed metal, thrash metal, grindcore and death metal.
He's definitely one of the most important people in music history, while recording the first #1 hit with a length more than four minutes, "House of the Rising Sun", the most popular anti-vietnam song "We Gotta Get out of this Place", the first song recorded in stereo, "Sky Pilot" and the first latin rap in pop music, "Spill the Wine". His self-written rock song "Year of the Guru" (1968) proves that he created the first rap rock-song. His political environment can be seen in his multi-racial project with the band War from late 1969 to early 1971. In 2008 he reunited with the band at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Without his experimental vocals, hip hop, rap, heavy metal, rock, pop and rnb would have a completely different face.
His singing style and music also influenced artists such as Joe Cocker, The Doors, Deep Purple, The Brute Chorus, Ted Nugent, Janis Joplin, The Sonics, Steppenwolf, Chester Bennington, Bruce Springsteen, The Black Crowes, Tom Petty, The White Stripes, Ryan Adams, John Mellencamp, The Compulsive Gamblers, The Vines, Julian Thome, The Hives, MC5 and many more.
In November 2008 the magazine Rolling Stone ranked him #57 on their list of the Best Singers of all Times.
Formations:
The Animals & Sonny Boy Williamson (December 30, 1963)
The Animals (1964 - September 1966, 1976, 1983/84)
Eric Burdon & The Animals (1967 - 1968)
Eric Burdon & War (1969 - 1971)
Eric Burdon & Jimmy Witherspoon (1971)
The Eric Burdon Band (1973 - 1975)
Eric Burdon's Fire Department (1980)
Eric Burdon, Robbie Krieger & Friends (1990)
Eric Burdon & Brian Auger Band (1991 - 1993)
Eric Burdon's I Band (1995 - 1998)
Eric Burdon & The New Animals (1999 - 2002)
Eric Burdon (1976 - ...)
They Can't Take Away Our Music
Eric Burdon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It?s so proud and it?s so pure.
And it comes from deep within,
It?s got no hair it?s got no skin.
As we travel far and near,
We bring the world for you to hear.
And the message that we bring,
Is the light in the words we sing.
And no matter how bad you feel,
We got something, they can?t steal.
No they can?t, no they can?t, no they can?t,
Take away our music, no.
No they can?t, no they can?t, no they can?t,
Take away our music.
In the ghetto, it gets cold,
But we got something to warm our souls.
Like the blanket of our faith,
Keeps us covered when we shake.
Though they take my brother?s life,
And deny his given rights.
Yes, the message will be heard,
As the four winds spread the word.
And our spirit, they can?t break,
?Cause we got power to communicate, yea.
No they can?t, no they can?t, no they can?t,
Take away our music, Lord.
No they can?t, no they can?t,
I say, they can?t take our music, music, little baby (unintelligible)
But his message is my book, my book, is your book, is everybody?s book. Come on.
Music is fine, music is alright, alright with me, yea.
Come on, come on, sing it mom, sing it pop, sing it brother, sing it sister.
Everybody, come on. Get up on your feet, now, and stomp your feet, clap your hands, come on. Oh.
Sing it to your man, sing it to your woman, sing it to your baby, sing it to the sky,
Sing to ev?, sing it to the ground, sing it to the earth, my, my, my, my, come on.
They can?t take it away, they can?t take it away. Oooo. Come on, come on, come on.
Eric Burdon & WAR's "They Can't Take Away Our Music" is a song about the empowering and unifying nature of music. The opening lines, "Oh, there's one thing that I'm sure, it's so proud and it's so pure," suggest that the thing being referred to is something integral and essential, and it is revealed to be music. The second line, "It's got no hair, it's got no skin," perhaps suggests that music is universal, something that doesn't discriminate and can be appreciated by all, regardless of race or appearance.
The song continues with lyrics about how, as they travel and perform, they bring their music to people all over the world. The message they bring is one of hope and light, something that cannot be taken from them. The lyrics also allude to the struggles of those living in the ghetto, but that their music provides warmth and solace for their souls. The song ends with an invitation for everyone to join in and sing, emphasizing the power of music to bring people together.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, there?s one thing that I?m sure,
There is one thing I am certain of,
It?s so proud and it?s so pure.
It is both proud and pure.
And it comes from deep within,
It comes from within the soul,
It?s got no hair it?s got no skin.
It has no physical form,
As we travel far and near,
As we journey both near and far,
We bring the world for you to hear.
We bring the world's sounds to your ears.
And the message that we bring,
And the message that we convey,
Is the light in the words we sing.
Is the illuminating essence of our lyrics.
And no matter how bad you feel,
Regardless of one's emotional state,
We got something, they can?t steal.
We possess something that cannot be taken away.
No they can?t, no they can?t, no they can?t,
No, they cannot take it away,
Take away our music, no.
They cannot take away our music.
In the ghetto, it gets cold,
The ghetto can be quite harsh and bitter,
But we got something to warm our souls.
Yet we have something to soothe our spirits.
Like the blanket of our faith,
Similar to a comforting blanket made of faith,
Keeps us covered when we shake.
It provides a protective cover when we are vulnerable.
Though they take my brother?s life,
Even if they take my brother's life,
And deny his given rights.
And deny his inherent rights,
Yes, the message will be heard,
The message will still be shared,
As the four winds spread the word.
As the winds carry it to every corner.
And our spirit, they can?t break,
Our spirit cannot be crushed by them,
?Cause we got power to communicate, yea.
Because we have the power to communicate.
No they can?t, no they can?t, no they can?t,
No, they cannot strip it away,
Take away our music, Lord.
Take away our music, Lord.
No they can?t, no they can?t,
No, they cannot take our music,
I say, they can?t take our music, music, little baby (unintelligible)
I am saying they cannot take our music, dear little one.
But his message is my book, my book, is your book, is everybody?s book. Come on.
However, the message belongs to everyone, not just me. Come on.
Music is fine, music is alright, alright with me, yea.
Music is good, music is fine, I like it, yes.
Come on, come on, sing it mom, sing it pop, sing it brother, sing it sister.
Come on, everyone, sing it - mom, dad, brother, sister.
Everybody, come on. Get up on your feet, now, and stomp your feet, clap your hands, come on. Oh.
Everyone, come on. Rise up on your feet, start moving, come on
Sing it to your man, sing it to your woman, sing it to your baby, sing it to the sky,
Sing it to your loved ones - your partner, your child, your heavens.
Sing to ev?, sing it to the ground, sing it to the earth, my, my, my, my, come on.
Sing to everything - ground, earth, and more. Come on.
They can?t take it away, they can?t take it away. Oooo. Come on, come on, come on.
They cannot take it away. Come on, come on.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHARLES MILLER, HAROLD RAY I. BROWN, HOWARD E. SCOTT, JERRY GOLDSTEIN, LE ROY L. JORDAN, LEE OSKAR, MORRIS DEWAYNE DICKERSON, SYLVESTER ALLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@88Jako
They Can't Take Away Our Music
Eric Burdon and War
· There's a feeling shared today
· By the people whose freedom
· Has been taken away
· And as in the past
· When times were wrong
· The common folks
· Come together in song
· How will we win
· With what will we fight
· We hope with this song
· Our world we will unite
Oh, there's one thing... that I'm sure
It's so proud... and it's so pure
And it comes from... deep within
It's got no hair... it's got no skin
As we travel... far and near
We bring the world... for you to hear
And the message... that we bring
Is alive... in the word we sing
And no matter... how it make you feel
We got something... they can't steal
· (chorus)
No, they can't... no, they can't
No, they can't... take away our music
No, they can't... no, they can't
No, they can't... take away our music
In the ghetto... it gets cold
But we've got something... To warm our souls
Like the blanket... of our fate
Keeps us covered... when we shake
Though they take... our brother's live
And deny... his given right
Yes, the message... will be heard
As the four winds... spread the word
And our spirit... they can't break
Cause we got power... to communicate, yeah
· (chorus)
No, they can't... no, they can't
No, they can't... take away our music
No, they can't... no, they can't
Say they can't... take away our music
Lord, no, they can't... no, they can't
Aaah! they... they can't take our music
Music, music, sing it momma
Sing it brother, sing it sister
Come on, come on
Music is yours... and music is mine
Is mine, is mine, is mine
There was a lady one day
I bet you don't know her name
A long long time ago
Do you remember Billie Holliday
Billie Holliday sang the blues
She may be dead... but she's alive today
yeahh, Do you remember charlie parker
Sing the blues, sing the blues
Sing the blues
Jimi Hendrix, Sammy Cooke
Elmore james play the blues for you
For you... they played
It's all for you, yeah
Music is yours, it's mine
It's yours, sing it momma, sing it papa
It made me laugh and it made me cry
Crying, crying, little baby Janis
Cried for you, yeah
Remember Jimi Hendrix too, lord
Sam Cooke now... put his message in
My book, my book, it's your book
It's everybody's book come on
Music is fine... music is all right
All right with me, yeah
Come on, come on
Sing it momma, sing it papa,
Sing it brother, sing it sister
Everybody, come on
Get up on your feet now
And stomp your feet... clap your hands, come on
Sing it to your man... sing it to your woman
Sing it to your baby... sing it to the sky
Sing it to air... sing it to the ground
Sing it to the earth... my, my, my, my
Come on
They can't take it away
They can't take it away
@KenBoorman
There's a feeling shared today
By the people whose freedom
Has been taken away
And as in the past
When times were wrong
The common folks
Come together in song
How will we win
With what will we fight
We hope with this song
Our world we will unite
Oh, there's one thing that I'm sure
It's so proud and it's so pure
And it comes from deep within
It's got no hair, it's got no skin
As we travel far and near
We bring the world for you to hear
And the message that we bring
Is alive in the word we sing
And no matter how it make you feel
We got something they can't steal
[Chorus:]
No, they can't, no, they can't
No, they can't take away our music
No, they can't, no, they can't
No, they can't take away our music
In the ghetto, it gets cold
But we've got something
To warm our souls
Like the blanket of our fate
Keeps us covered when we shake
Though they take our brother's live
And deny his given right
Yes, the message will be heard
As the four winds spread the word
And our spirit, they can't break
Cause we got power to communicate, yeah
No, they can't, no, they can't
No, they can't take away our music
No, they can't, no, they can't
Say they can't take away our music
Lord, no, they can't, no, they can't
Hey, they can't take our music
Music, music, sing it for me
Sing it for me, sing it with me
(They can take away our lives)
Come on, come on
(But they can't take our music)
Music is yours and music is mine
Is mine, is mine, is mine
(They can take away our lives)
There was a lady one day
I bet you don't know her name
(But they can't take our music)
Do you remember Billie Holliday
Billie Holliday sang the blues
(They can take away our lives)
She may be dead but she's alive today
(But they can't take our music)
Do you remember Charlie Parker
Sing the blues, sing the blues
Sing the blues
(They can take away our lives)
Jimi Hendrix, Sammy Cooke
Elmore James play the blues
For you, they played
It's all for you, yeah
(But they can't take our music)
Music is yours, it's mine
It's yours, sing it now
(They can take away our lives)
It made me laugh and it made me cry
(But they can't take our music)
Crying, crying, little baby Janis
Cried for you, yeah
(They can take away our lives)
Remember Jimi Hendrix too, Lord
(But they can't take our music)
Sam Cooke now put his message in
My book, my book, it's your book
It's everybody's book
(They can take away our lives)
Music is fine, music is all right
(But they can't take our music)
All right with me, yeah
Come on, come on
Sing it for me, sing it for me
(They can take away our lives)
Sing it for me, sing it just
Everybody, come on
(But they can't take our music)
Get up on your feet now and
Stomp your feet, clap your hands
(They can take away our lives)
Sing it to your man, sing it to your woman
Sing it to your baby, sing it to the sky
(But they can't take our music)
Sing it to the air, sing it to the ground
Sing it to the Earth, my, my, my, my
Come on (they can take away our lives)
They can't take it away
They can't take it away
(But they can't take our music)
@elisabethaxelsson4736
This song is a masterpice
@arturoramirez7296
THIS IS A ONE NICE SONG IT GIVES ME GOOSEBUMPS
@faithparent1139
You are an inspiration to all of us Eric
@elisabethaxelsson4736
True
@johnveitch7410
We need this now!! ☮️
@88Jako
They Can't Take Away Our Music
Eric Burdon and War
· There's a feeling shared today
· By the people whose freedom
· Has been taken away
· And as in the past
· When times were wrong
· The common folks
· Come together in song
· How will we win
· With what will we fight
· We hope with this song
· Our world we will unite
Oh, there's one thing... that I'm sure
It's so proud... and it's so pure
And it comes from... deep within
It's got no hair... it's got no skin
As we travel... far and near
We bring the world... for you to hear
And the message... that we bring
Is alive... in the word we sing
And no matter... how it make you feel
We got something... they can't steal
· (chorus)
No, they can't... no, they can't
No, they can't... take away our music
No, they can't... no, they can't
No, they can't... take away our music
In the ghetto... it gets cold
But we've got something... To warm our souls
Like the blanket... of our fate
Keeps us covered... when we shake
Though they take... our brother's live
And deny... his given right
Yes, the message... will be heard
As the four winds... spread the word
And our spirit... they can't break
Cause we got power... to communicate, yeah
· (chorus)
No, they can't... no, they can't
No, they can't... take away our music
No, they can't... no, they can't
Say they can't... take away our music
Lord, no, they can't... no, they can't
Aaah! they... they can't take our music
Music, music, sing it momma
Sing it brother, sing it sister
Come on, come on
Music is yours... and music is mine
Is mine, is mine, is mine
There was a lady one day
I bet you don't know her name
A long long time ago
Do you remember Billie Holliday
Billie Holliday sang the blues
She may be dead... but she's alive today
yeahh, Do you remember charlie parker
Sing the blues, sing the blues
Sing the blues
Jimi Hendrix, Sammy Cooke
Elmore james play the blues for you
For you... they played
It's all for you, yeah
Music is yours, it's mine
It's yours, sing it momma, sing it papa
It made me laugh and it made me cry
Crying, crying, little baby Janis
Cried for you, yeah
Remember Jimi Hendrix too, lord
Sam Cooke now... put his message in
My book, my book, it's your book
It's everybody's book come on
Music is fine... music is all right
All right with me, yeah
Come on, come on
Sing it momma, sing it papa,
Sing it brother, sing it sister
Everybody, come on
Get up on your feet now
And stomp your feet... clap your hands, come on
Sing it to your man... sing it to your woman
Sing it to your baby... sing it to the sky
Sing it to air... sing it to the ground
Sing it to the earth... my, my, my, my
Come on
They can't take it away
They can't take it away
@jeffsnowden5119
Powerful version which I had always attributed to Donna Summer/Goldsstein. Eric Burdon has always been a giant both on and behind the throne of so many aspects of rock/soul/ pop music over the decades and on both sides of the pond. Still love the best of the animals though from HotRS through Bright Lights, Bring it on home, ....get out of this place, etc and ad infinitum. Live well Eric and thanks.
@elisabethaxelsson4736
So True
@douglaskostiuk1
reminder of my military service, great peace song, rock on !!!!
@andrewmair7371
Classic track from a classic (double) album - 👊😆