Eddie Palmieri's supergroup Harlem River Drive was the first group to reall… Read Full Bio ↴Eddie Palmieri's supergroup Harlem River Drive was the first group to really merge black and Latin styles and musicians, resulting in a free-form brew of salsa, funk, soul, jazz, and fusion. Though it was led by pianist Palmieri, the group also included excellent players from both the Latin community (his brother Charlie, Victor Venegas, Andy Gonsalez) and the black world (Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Ronnie Cuber). Named as an ironic reference to the New York City street which allowed predominantly suburban drivers to bypass East Harlem entirely on their way to lower Manhattan, Harlem River Drive released their groundbreaking debut album in 1970 on Roulette, including Latin and underground club hits like the title track and "Seeds of Life." Unfortunately, Harlem River Drive was their only album, though the group did appear co-billed on Eddie Palmieri's two-part 1972 release, Live at Sing Sing, Vols. 1-2.

Idle Hands
Harlem River Drive Lyrics

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You all know the story -- how it all began
It took five days - and then came Man
Oh, the land was free; and so were we
No slavery - to lead the poverty

Idle hands...idle hands...idle hands

Then they rose up fast with their greatest schemes

Just killin' stealin' and taxin' using any means;
To disguise injustice - the so-called progress
And deny our people their right to happiness

Idle hands...idle hands...idle hands

Now things get worse with every year; you can't really live (no, no) when you live in fear
Whatever our efforts - always fail; while the whole world sleeps

Idle hands play

Idle hands...idle hands...idle hands

Now do you have the courage?
Do you have the will?
Do you have the guts, now - to see a dream fulfilled?
Do you wonder why - tell me do you give a damn?
Do you know what's meant by the rights of Man?

Idle hands

Idle hands
Idle hands...

Overall Meaning

The song 'Idle Hands' by Harlem River Drive is a reflection on the history of the world and modern day society. It starts with the story of how humans came into existence, and how they were once free without any oppression or slavery. But as time passed, people became greedy, violent, and unjust. They started stealing and killing without any remorse, leading to the progression of so-called civilization. In the process, they have denied people their right to happiness and their rights as human beings.

The chorus, 'Idle Hands' is a metaphor for how inactivity can lead to problems like poverty, fear, and injustice. The song suggests that we need to be constantly vigilant to fight against these issues. It asks the listeners whether they have the courage, will, and guts to see their dreams fulfilled. The lyrics encourage the audience to stand up and make a difference in the world, asking if we know what is meant by the rights of Man.

Overall, the song 'Idle Hands' is a powerful and intricately woven piece that tackles some of the most pressing issues of our time. The lyrics remind us of the importance of being proactive in the face of problems like poverty, injustice, and fear.

Line by Line Meaning

You all know the story -- how it all began
A reference to the creation story, acknowledging that everyone has a basic understanding of how things started.

It took five days - and then came Man
Acknowledging the creation of humanity and the beginning of civilization.

Oh, the land was free; and so were we
At the start, everything was equal and free, without the restrictions of societal norms.

No slavery - to lead the poverty
There was no forced labor to keep people in poverty, as is common in modern times.

Idle hands...idle hands...idle hands
Repeating the phrase "Idle hands" to emphasize its importance later in the song.

Then they rose up fast with their greatest schemes
As society advanced, certain people sought to gain power and control in illicit ways.

Just killin' stealin' and taxin' using any means;
This line describes the lengths some people will go to accumulate wealth and power, even if it means harming others.

To disguise injustice - the so-called progress
The supposed advancements of society are actually hiding the systemic injustices that continue to exist.

And deny our people their right to happiness
The inequality and injustice present in society prevents people from achieving genuine happiness and well-being.

Now things get worse with every year; you can't really live (no, no) when you live in fear
Society continues to spiral out of control and the people within it are forced to live in a constant state of fear and anxiety.

Whatever our efforts - always fail; while the whole world sleeps
Despite the best efforts of some individuals, the world at large seems uninterested in making true changes for the betterment of all.

Idle hands play
The repetition of "idle hands" from earlier in the song becomes important in this line, as it serves as a warning that those with idle hands may become a problem for society.

Now do you have the courage?
The song challenges listeners to take action and become part of the solution to solve societal problems.

Do you have the will?
Asks if people have the determination to follow through with their actions and continue fighting for change.

Do you have the guts, now - to see a dream fulfilled?
This line conveys a sense of urgency, asking if people are brave enough to take action and work towards a better future.

Do you wonder why - tell me do you give a damn?
Lamenting that so few people seem to care about the injustice and inequality present in society.

Do you know what's meant by the rights of Man?
Challenging the listener to consider what it means to truly uphold human rights and work towards a fairer society.

Idle hands
Finally, the song ends with a final warning against those with idle hands, highlighting the importance of taking action to create a better future for all.

Contributed by Adalyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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