One For Daddy-O
Julian Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Du kanke si mæ
Nei du kanke du kanke si mæ
yeah

Du kanke si mæ
At du faktisk bryr dæ
Sir vi lev som noen dyr hær
Men æ e ei løve

Ka e det du driv med
All den dritten du skriv ned
Sorter oss etter rase
Ropa neger og trur det e greit

Æ vet at du ikke aleina og du e nok der med flere
Sopa til dæ all den dumme inforamsjon som ser på TV
Laga dine egne regla om kem faen som skal få bo i norge
Æ Ber dæ hold kjæft æ må tell til ti

Æ e lei, slæpp mæ fri
Kall mæ feig, gjør ka du vill
Stemmen din e alt for svak i dette rommet
Stemmen din e alt for svar i dette rommet bro

Har det blitt bedre?
Før æ kanke se det
Mye av det samme
Som de klaga på før

Mangla de innsikt?
E de Redd før nye ansikt?
Vi sku gitt dem et innblikk
Som hvis koffør farn min e hær

Æ vet at du ikke aleina og du sitt nok der med flere
Sopa til dæ all den dumme inforamsjon som ser på TV
Laga dine egne regla på kem faen som skal få bo i norge
Ber dæ hold kjæft æ må tell til ti

Æ e lei, slæpp mæ fri
Kall mæ feig, gjør ka du vill
Stemmen din e alt for svak i dette rommet
Stemmen din e alt for svar i dette rommet bro

Undervurder, undervurder, undervurder en neger som mæ
Undervurder, undervurder, undervurder en neger som mæ
Ikke Undervurder, undervurder, undervurder

Æ e lei, slæpp mæ fri
Kall mæ feig, gjør ka du vill




Stemmen din e alt for svak i dette rommet
Stemmen din e alt for svak i dette rommet bro

Overall Meaning

The song "One For Daddy-O" by Julian contains lyrics that are powerful and introspective, focusing on themes of race and identity. The song starts by expressing frustrations at people who judge and sort others based on race, calling out the use of the word "neger" (which is considered offensive in Norwegian) and the ignorance of societal issues. The artist doesn't want to be labeled as "just another animal" like a lion in a zoo, highlighting the need for respect and equal treatment amongst all humans.


The second half of the song is a call to action, challenging the listener to look beyond their own biases and recognize the potential of others, specifically "en neger som meg" - "a black man like me". Julian insists that he should not be underestimated, that his voice deserves to be heard and that he is tired of being held back by the constraints of others. He wants to be free to be himself and to be judged on his own merit.


Overall, "One For Daddy-O" is a thought-provoking song that addresses important social issues related to race and identity. The lyrics express frustration, anger, and a desire for change, urging listeners to rethink their own biases and prejudices.


Line by Line Meaning

Du kanke si mæ
You cannot tell me


Nei du kanke du kanke si mæ
No you cannot tell me


yeah
Yes


Du kanke si mæ
You cannot tell me


At du faktisk bryr dæ
That you actually care


Sir vi lev som noen dyr hær
Saying we live like animals here


Men æ e ei løve
But I am a lion


Ka e det du driv med
What are you doing


All den dritten du skriv ned
All the mess you write down


Sorter oss etter rase
Sorting us by race


Ropa neger og trur det e greit
Shouting 'nigger' and thinking it's okay


Æ vet at du ikke aleina og du e nok der med flere
I know you're not alone and there are more of you


Sopa til dæ all den dumme inforamsjon som ser på TV
Sweeping away all the stupid information from TV viewers


Laga dine egne regla om kem faen som skal få bo i norge
Making up your own rules about who should live in Norway


Æ Ber dæ hold kjæft æ må tell til ti
I ask you to shut up, I need to count to ten


Æ e lei, slæpp mæ fri
I am tired, let me go


Kall mæ feig, gjør ka du vill
Call me a coward, do whatever you want


Stemmen din e alt for svak i dette rommet
Your voice is too weak in this room


Stemmen din e alt for svar i dette rommet bro
Your voice is too quiet in this room, bro


Har det blitt bedre?
Has it gotten better?


Før æ kanke se det
Before I couldn't see it


Mye av det samme
Much the same


Som de klaga på før
As they complained about before


Mangla de innsikt?
Did they lack insight?


E de Redd før nye ansikt?
Are they afraid of new faces?


Vi sku gitt dem et innblikk
We should have given them a glimpse


Som hvis koffør farn min e hær
Like why my dad is here


Undervurder, undervurder, undervurder en neger som mæ
Underestimate, underestimate, underestimate a black man like me


Ikke Undervurder, undervurder, undervurder
Do not underestimate, underestimate, underestimate


Æ e lei, slæpp mæ fri
I am tired, let me go


Kall mæ feig, gjør ka du vill
Call me a coward, do whatever you want


Stemmen din e alt for svak i dette rommet
Your voice is too weak in this room


Stemmen din e alt for svak i dette rommet bro
Your voice is too quiet in this room, bro




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Julian Audy Johnson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@SeanRegan01

Sounds about right.

I bought mine in 1961, from Harrod's record department. I guess it was an imported copy, as it has the stamp-sized "Mecolico" PRS sticker and one from Chappel Music on the back, with the amount of fees paid, just a few old pence. 

This recording was really to help Adderley get some recognition, but has always been considered more a Davis album. I also bought Adderley's "Cannonball Takes Charge" at the same time. I replaced both with CDs when they became available to save wear on the originals. I had to wait a hell of a long time for them to release the second one on CD.

The question asked  by Miles; "Is that what you wanted Alfred?" at the end of the track was directed at Alfred Lyon, the producer. So I guess it was.

This album has never lost its appeal for me.



All comments from YouTube:

@riccardocauli5424

I cannot stop listening to this track ! Cannonball solo is pure Music Heaven... and the band is playing in a heavenly way...the piano intro... the head so simple but catchy...

@lewikono2781

Cannonballs intro at the start is so awesome. It's like he can't wait to start playing so he just jumps right into it.

@ghairraigh

Theme music for Daddy-O Daylie, a long-time rhyming jazz radio show host in Chicago.
"Can't sleep? Don't count sheep - Count Basie!" I used to listen to Daddy-O's noon show every day while at college. It was sad to hear this Cannonball Adderley record each day while he was in a coma in 1975, never to recover.
"Early to bed and early to rise, and you'll never meet some of our most interesting citizens!"

@normjay5403

---- music "for those who live it and love it, and for those who make a living of it!"

@pongufogu9457

The sleeping pun could suit well also with Archie (Shepp) instead of the sheep...

@Laseptiemewilaya

Art Blakey on the drums...man O man...listen to that..and Miles he is not blowing a horn...that's a divine sound coming out...Man on Man

@talmage_ur

Sweet and smooth ba-bee
Indeed . . . Indeed . . .

@green53100

I bought this LP in the early 60's and it would definitely be on my desert island short list.

@SeanRegan01

Sounds about right.

I bought mine in 1961, from Harrod's record department. I guess it was an imported copy, as it has the stamp-sized "Mecolico" PRS sticker and one from Chappel Music on the back, with the amount of fees paid, just a few old pence. 

This recording was really to help Adderley get some recognition, but has always been considered more a Davis album. I also bought Adderley's "Cannonball Takes Charge" at the same time. I replaced both with CDs when they became available to save wear on the originals. I had to wait a hell of a long time for them to release the second one on CD.

The question asked  by Miles; "Is that what you wanted Alfred?" at the end of the track was directed at Alfred Lyon, the producer. So I guess it was.

This album has never lost its appeal for me.

@njuham

My aunt brought it to my mother in 1964-65 from New York. I still remember the album sleeve.

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