Is It Because I'm Black?
Ken Boothe Lyrics


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THE DARK BROWN SHADES OF MY SKIN
ONLY ADD COLOR TO MY TEARS
THAT SPLASH AGANST MY HOLLOW BONES
THAT ROCKS MY SOUL
LOOKING BACK OVER MY PAST DREAMS THAT I ONCE KNEW
WONDERING WHY MY DREAMS NEVER CAME TRUE

SOMEBODY TELL ME
WHAT CAN I DO

SOMETHING IS HOLDING ME BACK,
IS IT BECAUSE I'M BLACK.

IN THIS WORLD OF NO PITTY
I WAS RAISED IN THE GHETTO OF THE CITY
MOMMA SHE WORKED SO HARD
TO EARN EVERY PENNY

SOMETHING IS HOLDING ME BACK CAUSE
IS IT BECAUSE I'M BLACK

SOMETHING IS HOLDING ME BACK CAUSE
I'M WONDERING IF IT'S BECAUSE I'M BLACK





LIKE A CHILD STEELING HIS FIRST PIECE OF CANDY AND GOT CAUGHT

Overall Meaning

Ken Boothe's song "Is It Because I'm Black?" is a powerful and deeply introspective examination of the struggles and hardships faced by African Americans in a society that has consistently held them back. The lyrics speak to the pain and confusion of a man who is looking back over his past and wondering why he has never been able to achieve his dreams. The dark brown shades of his skin are a constant reminder of the obstacles he has had to overcome and the tears that he has shed along the way.


The second verse of the song is particularly impactful as it speaks to the poverty and hardship that is all too common in the black community. The singer was raised in the ghetto of the city, with a hardworking mother who did everything she could to provide for her family. And yet, despite his mother's best efforts, something is still holding him back. The repeated refrain of "is it because I'm black?" highlights the insidious and systemic racism that has created a society in which black people are held back at every turn.




Writer(s): Syl Johnson, Glenn Watts, Jimmy Jones

Contributed by Elijah N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@rootsnatty8408

The Fight Continues, Free Your Mind And Soar. Sang that damn song Ken my second King of REGGAE.

@marcusleviticus3513

One of my all time favorite but this is a strip back version missing the horn section which was the icing on the cake none the less a real soulful song from the heart

@khem127

One of the best versions I've heard. Doesn't have the hard bass line, but his voice is so soulful that he makes up for it.

@AnimeW69

The struggle is real!

@JesusMago357.

O reggae não para

@guilhermerootsreggae

Jamais

@Teddyb1939

The magic sound of Ken Booth, I had forgotten about this one.Thanks, good stuff.

@xoueyn

this copy is not for hype williams

@YTChango1

Reggae BlackRoots Songs like "Is it because I'm Black"--it what made Reggae a Powerful Musical Art Form.  Sing on--Brother Ken Booth--True That & Right-On!

@JuanGraf

https://youtu.be/6JNwqRF32ZI

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