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.
What Good Is A Castle
Joe Bataan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Way high upon a hill
If you're chained down and you're crippled
And you're six stories high
What good is a playground
Full of lovers beneath your window pane
If every time you watch them
It starts to rain
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
What good is the sound
Of a child of the world without a girl
What good is a heart
After it's torn apart
What good is a judge
Or a jury without a trial
What good is a daddy
Or a mommy without a child
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Something inside of me
Keeps repeating
You better hang on, boy
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Something inside of me
Begs me to hang on, whoa, whoa
How can I continue
Or move a step at all
My days are all numbered
So I'll take my fall
What good is a castle
Way high upon a hill
If you're chained down and you're crippled
And you're six stories high
What good is a playground
Full of lovers beneath your window pane
If every time you watch them
It starts to rain
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
What good is a castle
Way high on a hill
If you're chained down and you're crippled
And you're six stories high
What good is a playground
Full of lovers beneath your window pane
If every time you watch them
It starts to feeling that it'll pour down rain
Hey, hey, hey
Whoa, whoa, whoa
What good is the sound
Of a child of the world without a girl
What good is a heart
After it's torn apart
What good is a judge
Or a jury without a trial
What good is a daddy
Or a mommy without a child
Hey, hey, hey
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Something inside of me
Keeps repeating
You better hang on, boy
Whoa
Something inside of me
Begs me to hang on, whoa
How can I continue
Or move a step at all
My days are all numbered
So I'll take my fall
What good is a castle
Way high on a hill
If you're chained down and you're crippled
And you're six stories high
What good is a playground
Full of lovers beneath your window pane
If every time you watch them
It starts to feeling that it'll pour down rain
Hey, hey, hey
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Hey, hey, hey
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Hey, hey, hey
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Joe Bataan's song "What Good Is A Castle" explores the idea that material possessions do not bring true fulfillment and happiness. The lyrics ask the listener to consider what is the point of having a castle on a hill or a playground full of lovers watching from above, if one is unable to enjoy it or experience love firsthand. The repetition of the chorus "Hey, hey, hey, hey, Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa" emphasizes the questioning tone and the increasing frustration of the singer.
The song highlights the powerlessness of an individual who feels trapped by their circumstances, whether it be physical or emotional limitations or societal constraints. The line "What good is a heart after it's torn apart" suggests that even emotional pain can feel physically debilitating. The song ends on a note of acceptance, as the singer acknowledges that their days are numbered and they will take their fall. This final line can be interpreted both as a resigned acceptance of their fate and as a declaration of strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
What good is a castle
Having the appearance of power and wealth means nothing if you are trapped and limited in what you can do.
Way high upon a hill
Even if you appear to have the upper hand and a sense of superiority, it doesn't mean your situation is any better.
If you're chained down and you're crippled / And you're six stories high
Being held back and confined by external factors, while also being far away from the ground level, can make you feel powerless and vulnerable.
What good is a playground
Entertainment and leisure activities can lose their enjoyment and meaning if outside circumstances ruin the experience.
Full of lovers beneath your window pane
Watching others be happy and content in their relationships can make you feel left out and lonely.
If every time you watch them / It starts to rain
When something always goes wrong or negative situations arise, it can feel like the universe is conspiring against you.
What good is the sound / Of a child of the world without a girl
Having a unique and valuable perspective or talent means less if you don't have someone to share it with or appreciate it.
What good is a heart / After it's torn apart
Experiencing heartbreak and emotional pain can leave you feeling empty and unfulfilled.
What good is a judge / Or a jury without a trial
Having the power to make decisions means nothing if there isn't a fair and just process to determine the outcome.
What good is a daddy / Or a mommy without a child
Being a parent and having a family means less if there isn't someone you care and provide for.
Something inside of me / Keeps repeating / You better hang on, boy
Despite all the negativity and challenges, there is a small voice inside urging to keep going and not give up.
How can I continue / Or move a step at all
Feeling lost and stuck can make it difficult to find motivation and direction in life.
My days are all numbered / So I'll take my fall
Knowing that time is limited and death is inevitable can make one feel resigned to their fate.
If every time you watch them / It starts to feeling that it'll pour down rain
Watching others be happy and content can amplify feelings of disappointment and frustration when things continue to go wrong.
Something inside of me / Begs me to hang on, whoa
Despite the challenges and obstacles, there is a part of oneself urging to keep persevering and not give up.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOE BATAAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sugardeb
Any one growing up on the streets of New York City during a certain time period can relate to every word Joe sings. You can hear the heartache, and yet, his songs are filled with beauty and such soul. My Cloud is my favorite song of all time. I wish the guy would give a concert!
@byrd1nypa
I also am older, and actually played trumpet on the ST LATINS DAY MASSACRE album. I can say that everybody in the band was from the streets. We literally rehearsed at JOE'S apt, on second ave and 106th st.(or 103rd), anyway 1st floor. We did take the subway to gigs, and thought nothing of it. Joe was a steet poet and spoke to the real people who came to see him perform. There will never be another like him. THANKS for opening my eyes to the real latin thing
@MB-iz7pz
Brings me back to the summer of 1980 with my best friend Nora who introduced me to Joe Battan. May she RIP, love you Nora for introducing to such talent.
@nmirandacisneros8317
Brings back the hardest times of my life,15 16,with my loved ones!!family and friends love u guys !!!!!
@MrHuntingr321
When I listen to Joe's songs, It takes me back to an innocent time in Brooklyn, NY.
It always brings me to silent tears to think of the music treasures we once had & lost.
@ParsonBerto
The Good of a "castle" is that we can all come back to it and feel like Kings. Thank You Joe!
@juanmondragon6899
Its crazy how these artists from the east are still loved and listened to till the day in all of California especially in L.A.. Joe B is a legend forever to us out here. His music is timeless.
@charlessavarese
The uptown sound of El Barrio. Fania record label. '68-'72. The ghettos were at their all time, bottomed out worst. And still, from there, this great music was born. Considered corny by today's hip-hoppers, remembered fondly, with great nostalgia, by urban baby- boomers. Summer nights were for schoolyards, corner bodegas, and stoops. Watching baseball games on a Tv on the sidewalk, with an extension cord running out of the first floor window. Staying up until dawn, and going to th
@egyptjones1
I was 12 years old listening to JB. I am now 52 and still enjoy his music!
@Luvarby
First... guy hits you with a perfect mix... then hits you with the Joe Bataan. Sweet Lord.