Music
James Leela Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Somebody play on the guitar strings
Makes me think of my favorite songs
Reminds me of when I heard Aretha sing
Gladys, Steven, and Chaka Khan
Can't go back to yesterday
Can we just put the thongs away

And fall back in love with music
Nothin' but the music
Oh

Everybody knows that Marvin's gone
Still I gotta tell you what's going on
Said the music's gone

Where did all the soul go?
It's all about the video
We don't sang no mo' (no mo)
Where's the music gone? (no no)

Where'd the music go?
It's all just for the dough
It ain't songs no mo'
Where's the music gone?

Still hear Donny playin' them keys
Singin' one day we'll all be free
Can't even turn on my radio
Somebody hollerin' bout a bitch or a hoe

Right now I'm missing music
Black folks count on music

Where did all the soul go?
It's all about the video




We don't sing no mo'
Where's the music gone?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of James Leela’s song “Music” express a deep emotional connection with music, and the way it’s changed and lost its soul over time. The opening lines evoke nostalgia for favorite songs and performances, and the reference to Aretha, Gladys, Steven, and Chaka Khan alludes to a bygone era of soulful, heartfelt music. The chorus expresses a yearning for music to return to a purer form, disconnected from commercialization and the pursuit of money, and a desire to experience the beauty of music without any distractions or external factors. The verse about Marvin Gaye’s death highlights the fact that so many legends of music are no longer with us, and the following lines express concern about the current state of music, which often prioritizes flashy videos and derogatory lyrics over substance and heart.


Throughout the song, James Leela emphasizes the importance of music to the Black community, saying that they “count on music” as a means of expression and connection. The lines about Donny playing the keys and singing about freedom evoke the history of soul music as a form of protest and a way of articulating the Black experience in America. The final verse expresses frustration with the current state of radio, which often lacks culture and substance, and the lack of soul in modern music. Through these lyrics, James Leela creates a powerful appeal for music to return to its roots, where it can provide a means of solace, expression, and connection for audiences all over the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Somebody play on the guitar strings
The sound of a guitar being played reminds me of my favorite songs and artists such as Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Steven Wonder, and Chaka Khan.


Reminds me of when I heard Aretha sing
The guitar sound makes me reflect on a time when I listened to Aretha Franklin singing.


Can't go back to yesterday
We can't change the past or go back in time.


Can we just put the thongs away
Can we stop focusing on materialistic objects and instead focus on the music?


And fall back in love with music
Let's rediscover our love and appreciation for music.


Nothin' but the music
The only thing that matters is the music itself.


Everybody knows that Marvin's gone
Marvin Gaye, a renowned musician, has passed away and this is common knowledge.


Still I gotta tell you what's going on
However, I still need to express the current state of music.


Said the music's gone
Many people claim that the quality and soul of music has disappeared.


Where did all the soul go?
People wonder what happened to the emotional and soulful elements of music.


It's all about the video
Nowadays, music seems to be more about appearance and music videos than the actual music itself.


We don't sang no mo' (no mo)
We don't sing as much as we used to.


Where's the music gone? (no no)
People are searching for the meaningful and soulful music that seems to have disappeared.


Where'd the music go?
Once again, people are trying to understand where the true essence of music has gone.


It's all just for the dough
Many musicians seem to be focused only on making money.


It ain't songs no mo'
There seems to be a lack of authenticity and meaningfulness in modern music.


Still hear Donny playin' them keys
Donny Hathaway, another famous musician, still inspires people with his piano playing.


Singin' one day we'll all be free
Donny Hathaway's song 'Someday We'll All Be Free' still resonates with people as it speaks of hope and liberation.


Can't even turn on my radio
The current state of radio and mainstream media doesn't satisfy my love for true and authentic music.


Somebody hollerin' bout a bitch or a hoe
Instead of soulful music, the contemporary industry seems to focus more on derogatory terms and disrespect towards women.


Right now I'm missing music
I yearn for the kind of music that speaks to my soul and makes me feel truly alive.


Black folks count on music
Music is an important part of black culture and has always been used as a source of inspiration and hope.




Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: DAMIAN RHODEN, JAMMY JAMES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@MOI-gc4ey

Somebody play on the guitar strings
Makes me think of my favorite songs
Reminds me of when I heard Aretha sing
Gladys, Steven, and Chaka Khan
Can't go back to yesterday
Can we just put the thongs away

And fall back in love with music
Nothin' but the music
Oh

Everybody knows that Marvin's gone
Still I gotta tell you what's going on
Said the music's gone

Where did all the soul go?
It's all about the video
We don't sang no mo' (no mo)
Where's the music gone? (no no)

Where'd the music go?
It's all just for the dough
It ain't songs no mo'
Where's the music gone?

Still hear Donny playin' them keys
Singin' one day we'll all be free
Can't even turn on my radio
Somebody hollerin' bout a bitch or a hoe

Right now I'm missing music
Black folks count on music

Where did all the soul go?
It's all about the video
We don't sing no mo'
Where's the music gone?



@dakotarivero7

Somebody play on the guitar strings
Makes me think of my favorite songs
Reminds me of when I heard Aretha sing
Gladys, Steven, and Chaka Khan
Can't go back to yesterday
Can we just put the thongs away
And fall back in love with music
Nothin' but the music
Oh
Everybody knows that Marvin's gone
Still I gotta tell you what's going on
Said the music's gone
Where did all the soul go?
It's all about the video
We don't sang no mo' (no mo)
Where's the music gone? (no no)
Where'd the music go?
It's all just for the dough
It ain't songs no mo'
Where's the music gone?
Still hear Donny playin' them keys
Singin' one day we'll all be free
Can't even turn on my radio
Somebody hollerin' 'bout a bitch or a hoe
Right now I'm missing music
Black folks count on music
Where did all the soul go?
It's all about the video
We don't sing no mo'
Where's the music gone?



All comments from YouTube:

@xyzabc3492

Y‘all have no idea how hard it was looking for a song called Music without knowing the lyrics at all...but after 10 years it was like finding gold

@coraturnertate2974

I just heard it for the first time completely today. I kept typing in "real soul music" and still came up with nothing. Finally I got it

@MOI-gc4ey

@@coraturnertate2974 can you please make the lyrics?

@coraturnertate2974

@@MOI-gc4ey no. Search online

@MOI-gc4ey

Okey-dokey, @@coraturnertate2974.

@MOI-gc4ey

Somebody play on the guitar strings
Makes me think of my favorite songs
Reminds me of when I heard Aretha sing
Gladys, Steven, and Chaka Khan
Can't go back to yesterday
Can we just put the thongs away

And fall back in love with music
Nothin' but the music
Oh

Everybody knows that Marvin's gone
Still I gotta tell you what's going on
Said the music's gone

Where did all the soul go?
It's all about the video
We don't sang no mo' (no mo)
Where's the music gone? (no no)

Where'd the music go?
It's all just for the dough
It ain't songs no mo'
Where's the music gone?

Still hear Donny playin' them keys
Singin' one day we'll all be free
Can't even turn on my radio
Somebody hollerin' bout a bitch or a hoe

Right now I'm missing music
Black folks count on music

Where did all the soul go?
It's all about the video
We don't sing no mo'
Where's the music gone?

8 More Replies...

@macmac-ok6bl

I'm just discovering Ms. Leela James. Her voice ignites my soul, unbelievable talent.

@lpinn29

Me too, I just discovered her tonight cause a FB friend posting one of her videos and I looked on Youtube and discovered all her beautiful songs. WOW!

@daddygirlchanelhines4600

She from 2006 where ya'll been. Good Lord..

@benc4189

Her feat with the root is not on YouTube ! What a shame !!!

More Comments

More Versions