<… Read Full Bio ↴What can you say about Everette Harp, smooth, real smooth sax playing!
Everette Harp started playing piano at two and began practicing saxophone at the age of four. The youngest of the eight children of a minister, gospel music was one of Harp's earliest influences. Harp started playing jazz in high school, and graduated from North Texas State University with a music major in the early 1980s. While there he joined Phi Beta Sigma. Working as an accountant for a short time, Harp played in local bands before moving to Los Angeles in 1988. He immediately toured briefly with Teena Marie, and then internationally with Anita Baker. In 1992, Harp released his self-titled solo debut.
Soon after Harp played at the Montreux Jazz Festival, and began weekly appearances on The Arsenio Hall Show. He continued to play & tour with notables, including Chaka Khan, George Duke, Chante Moore, Anita Baker, Kenny Loggins, Brenda Russell, Marcus Miller, Dianne Reeves, and many more. Harp is also known for his performances with Marcus Miller along with David Sanborn and Wayne Shorter. In the past few years Harp has reduced his side gigs to focus on his solo career. Harp has also performed at the Omaha Blues, Jazz, & Gospel Festival held annually in North Omaha, Nebraska in August. He also performed "Soul Train '93" (You Know You Want to Dance)" with the rap group Naughty by Nature in 1993.
What's Going On
Everette Harp Lyrics
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There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today, yea
Father, father
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on
In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on
Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby
The lyrics of Everette Harp's "What's Going On" is a call for peace, love, and unity in a world riddled with racial tensions, violence, and war. The opening lines address the mothers who are crying and brothers who are dying, a reference to the disproportionate number of black Americans killed by police brutality and violence during this time. He insists that we must find a way to bring love into the world.
The song speaks about the senseless violence and war that do nothing but increase hate and suffering. Harp urges the fathers to understand that wars and conflict are not the solution but love can conquer hate. He also addresses the people protesting in picket lines and carrying picket signs, insisting that we should talk to each other and find ways to understand each other. The song is a plea for unity in a country where there is still a lot of work to be done to achieve equality and respect for all.
Line by Line Meaning
Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
There are too many mothers who are crying because of the injustices happening in the world.
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
There are too many brothers who are dying because of things like war and hatred.
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today, yea
It is important for us to find a way to show love and compassion to others in order to prevent further sadness and tragedy.
Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today
Fathers, we need to come together and recognize that war and hate do not solve problems, only love and understanding can.
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on
Protests are important, but violent brutality should never be a consequence. Let's have a conversation instead, and see what's really going on in the world.
In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on
In the meantime, let's strive for love and compassion.
Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh
Fathers, people may criticize us for who we are, but we must strive for understanding and acceptance in a world that can be harsh and judgmental.
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby
Let's talk about what's going on in the world, and strive for love and compassion in everything we do.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alfred W Cleveland, Marvin P Gaye, Renaldo Benson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind