Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were one of the first hip-hop groups… Read Full Bio ↴Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were one of the first hip-hop groups to come out of NYC in the late 70s early 80s. Backed primarily by the Sugar Hill house band early on, the group wrote party-friendly anthems. At the same time, they gained noteriety thanks to socially conscious singles like "The Message" or "White Lines (Don't Do It)". Broke up after Melle Mel decided he was the real Grandmaster.

It's A Shame
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey teacher!
-What?
Talk to me !
-About what?
Peace!
-There is no peace !
Why ?
-Who wants to know ?

We do !
-Cause men love money !
Why?
-Greed !
Why not share ?
-I know.
Why ?
-Why not ?
Cause to share shows that you care for ev'rybody !

["Refrain"]
It's a shame that all people won't stick together, don't they know that deep inside we need each other ? There are places in our world, where kids are starving, don't you know they should not starve, cause they're the future !

[Verse2]
Hey, preacher !
-What ?
Talk to me !
-About what ?
Hope !
-There is no hope !
Why ?
-Who wants to know ?
We do !
-Cause men are greedy !
Why ?
-Money !
Why not share ?
-I know.
Why ?
-Why not ?
Cause to share shows that you care for evr'ybodey !

["Refrain2]
It's a shame that men at war won't stop the fighting, don't you know they should not fight, cause thy are dying ! There are places in our world, where bombs are dropping, even though they know it's wrong, they'll never stop it !

It's a shame. It's a shame.

It's a shame. It's a shame.
It's a dirty, dirty world !

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's song, "It's a Shame," speak of the need for people to stick together and care for each other. The first verse opens with a plea for peace, to which the response is that there is no peace because men love money and have greed. The second verse follows a similar pattern with a plea for hope, to which the response is that there is no hope because men are greedy and love money. The refrain states that it is a shame that people will not stick together and recognize the need for each other, pointing to the fact that there are places in the world where children are starving and that men are dying in war, all due to the greed and selfishness of others. The song ends with the repeated statement that "it's a dirty, dirty world."

The lyrics of "It's a Shame" are powerful and speak to the need for compassion and empathy in the world, particularly when faced with the injustices of war and poverty that are often brought about by greed and a lack of concern for others. The repetition of the refrain throughout the song emphasizes this message and highlights the themes of unity and mutual support that run throughout the lyrics. The song is a call to action, reminding listeners that they have the power to make a difference and encouraging them to take a stand against the injustices of the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey teacher!
Initiating a conversation with the teacher.

-What?
Teacher responds asking what the conversation is about.

Talk to me !
Requesting to discuss a topic.

-About what?
Teacher asks for the topic of discussion.

Peace!
Requesting to discuss peace.

-There is no peace !
Teacher responds stating that there is no peace.

Why ?
Asking why there is no peace.

-Who wants to know ?
Teacher asks who is asking the question.

We do !
Responding that the asker is the group.

-Cause men love money !
Teacher explains that love of money is the reason for no peace.

Why?
Asking for further explanation.

-Greed !
Teacher explains that greed is why men love money.

Why not share ?
Asking why men don't share.

-I know.
Teacher acknowledges the question.

Why ?
Asking for further explanation.

-Why not ?
Teacher suggests that there is no reason not to share.

Cause to share shows that you care for ev'rybody !
Explaining that sharing is a sign of care for everyone.

It's a shame that all people won't stick together, don't they know that deep inside we need each other ? There are places in our world, where kids are starving, don't you know they should not starve, cause they're the future !
Expressing the disappointment of people not being united, and the need to take care of young children who represent the future.

Hey, preacher !
Initiating a conversation with the preacher.

-What ?
Preacher responds asking what the conversation is about.

Talk to me !
Requesting to discuss a topic.

-About what?
Preacher asks for the topic of discussion.

Hope !
Requesting to discuss hope.

-There is no hope !
Preacher responds stating that there is no hope.

Why ?
Asking why there is no hope.

-Who wants to know ?
Preacher asks who is asking the question.

We do !
Responding that the asker is the group.

-Cause men are greedy !
Preacher explains that greed is why there is no hope.

Why?
Asking for further explanation.

-Money !
Preacher explains that greed is motivated by money.

Why not share ?
Asking why men don't share.

-I know.
Preacher acknowledges the question.

Why ?
Asking for further explanation.

-Why not ?
Preacher suggests that there is no reason not to share.

Cause to share shows that you care for evr'ybodey !
Explaining that sharing is a sign of care for everyone.

It's a shame that men at war won't stop the fighting, don't you know they should not fight, cause thy are dying ! There are places in our world, where bombs are dropping, even though they know it's wrong, they'll never stop it !
Expressing the regret and sadness that people at war don't stop fighting, despite knowing that they are causing harm and suffering.

It's a shame. It's a shame.
Repeating that it is a shame.

It's a dirty, dirty world !
Describing the world as dirty due to the actions of humans.

Contributed by William Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@alexszz

3y↑10

Yo Flash! This time cut it mellow!

Hey teacher!
-What?
-Talk to me!
-About what?
-Peace!
-There is no peace!
-Why?
-Who wants to know?
-We do!
-Cause men love money!
-Why?
-Greed!
-Why not share?
-Hell no!
-Why?
-Why not?
-Cause to share shows that you care for ev'rybody !

[Hook]
It's a shame that all people won't stick together
Don't they know that deep inside we need each other?
There are places in our world, where kids are starving
Don't you know they should not starve, cause they're the future!

[Verse2]
-Hey, preacher!
-What?
-Talk to me!
-About what?
-Hope!
-There is no hope!
-Why?
-Who wants to know?
-We do!
-Cause men are greedy!
-Why?
-Money !
-Why not share?
-I know
-Why?
-Why not?
-Cause to share shows that you care for evr'ybodey!

[Hook]
It's a shame that men at war won't stop the fighting
Don't you know they should not fight, cause they are dying!
There are places in our world, where bombs are dropping
Even though they know it's wrong, they'll never stop it!

It's a shame. It's a shame
It's a shame. It's a shame
It's a dirty, dirty world!
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