Born Peter Nitollano, of African-American/Filipino parents, Joe Bataan grew up in Spanish Harlem, where he ran with Puerto Rican gangs and absorbed R&B, Afro-Cuban and Afro-Rican musical influences. His music career followed a pair of stints in Coxsackie State Prison. Self taught on the piano, he organized his first band in 1965 and scored his first recording success in 1967 with "Gypsy Woman" on Fania Records, . The tune was a hit with the New York Latin market despite the English lyrics sung by Joe, and exemplified the nascent Latin Soul sound. In early anticipation of the disco formula, "Gypsy Woman" created dance energy by alternating what was fundamentally a pop-soul tune with a break featuring double timed hand claps, . Joe would take this tendency even further on his influential Salsoul, which fused funk and latin influences in slick yet soulful orchestrations. Salsoul remains influential as a rare groove cult item, but pointed to the future at the time of its release. The LP embodied the artist's highly deliberate and culturally aware musical concept. Bataan theorized the '70s next big thing as a hybrid: an Afro Cuban rhythm section playing Brazilian influenced patterns over orchestral funk. In many ways, his vision was on the money, though most of the money would go to others, and mainstream stardom would elude him. He did, however, get in on the ground floor of the new trend as an early hit maker. His biggest commercial move was a Salsoul production released under the Epic umbrella, and promoted to the new disco market as Afrofilipino, which included 1975's "The Bottle", a much anthologized classic that drives an R&B horn arrangment with a relentless piano montuno.
Always in touch with the street, Joe Bataan picked up on rap very early in the game. His minor rap hit, "Rap-O, Clap-O" was a bit more successful in Europe than in the States, and is remembered as rap's debut in the European market. Nevertheless, his legacy remains his gritty and realistic Latin soul lyrics, his self identification as an "Ordinary Guy", and his highly personal and prophetic merger of Latin and soul influences.
Chick-A-Boom
Joe Bataan Lyrics
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Chick-a-boom, chick-a-boom boom boom
This is a holdup, everybody on the ground
Put your hands behind your head, don't make a sound
This old system been keeping us down, down, down
Now me and my friends think it's time to turn this mess around
We know this must come as a surprise
Imagine how it feels to be rejected, scorned and scoffed at
Imagine how it feels to be despised
Boom boom, chick-a-boom boom boom
Chick-a-boom, chick-a-boom boom boom
Too much money in too few hands
We'll be on our way once you meet our small demands
So come on, people, do as I say
You may just live to see a better day
Everybody on the ground
We're gonna pass this bag around
Fill it up with what you got
Fill it up with what you got
Boom boom, chick-a-boom boom boom
Chick-a-boom, chick-a-boom boom boom
Too much money in too few hands
We'll be on our way once you meet our small demands
Here's my people, respect us as equal
Fewer excuses, we don't need to prove it
You'll find out what we've known all along
By trying to keep us down, you've made us strong
Boom boom, chick-a-boom boom boom
Chick-a-boom, chick-a-boom boom boom
This is a holdup, everybody on the ground
Put your hands behind your head, don't make a sound
Come on, people, do as I say
You may just get to see a better day
Everybody on the ground
We're gonna pass this bag around
Fill it up with what you got
Fill it up with what you got
The lyrics to Joe Bataan's song "Chick-A-Boom" is a reflection of the frustration felt by marginalized groups in society. The song is written from the perspective of someone who wants to turn the tables on those in power and take control. The opening lines, "This is a holdup, everybody on the ground, put your hands behind your head, don't make a sound" sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer sees the current system as one that has failed them and wants to make a statement by committing a holdup.
The song also speaks to the idea of wealth distribution and the fact that too much money is in the hands of a few. The singer's small demands are a call for more equity in society. The chorus, "Boom boom, chick-a-boom boom boom / Chick-a-boom, chick-a-boom boom boom" is a rallying cry for those who feel oppressed and want to fight for a better future.
The lyrics of this song hold relevance even today. It speaks to the struggle of those who are marginalized and wish to change the current system. "Chick-A-Boom" is more than just a catchy song — it is a call to action for those who want to take control of their lives and demand change.
Line by Line Meaning
Boom boom, chick-a-boom boom boom
Let's make a change, let's make a move.
Chick-a-boom, chick-a-boom boom boom
Join us and let's take action.
This is a holdup, everybody on the ground
The current system has failed us and it's time for a revolution.
Put your hands behind your head, don't make a sound
Follow our lead, keep quiet and listen to what we have to say.
This old system been keeping us down, down, down
The outdated ways have oppressed us for too long.
Now me and my friends think it's time to turn this mess around
We have a plan to make things better and it starts now.
We all know this ain't what you expected
This may come as a shock, but we have to take action to see change.
We know this must come as a surprise
The current state of things is unacceptable and it's time for a shift in power.
Imagine how it feels to be rejected, scorned and scoffed at
We have been treated unfairly and it's time for that to change.
Imagine how it feels to be despised
We have been made to feel inferior, but we are just as deserving of respect.
Too much money in too few hands
The wealth inequality is a major issue we need to address.
We'll be on our way once you meet our small demands
We have a specific list of requests that would make a big difference.
So come on, people, do as I say
We need everyone to cooperate and follow our lead to create change.
You may just live to see a better day
We have hope for a better future and we want to share that with everyone.
We're gonna pass this bag around
We are pooling our resources to make a difference.
Fill it up with what you got
We need everyone to contribute what they can to our cause.
Here's my people, respect us as equal
We demand respect and equal treatment for all individuals.
Fewer excuses, we don't need to prove it
We don't need to justify ourselves anymore, it's time for action.
You'll find out what we've known all along
Our experiences and knowledge are valuable, listen to what we have to say.
By trying to keep us down, you've made us strong
We have faced adversity and it has made us more resilient and determined.
Contributed by Jack P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@huntrrams
Sick break