Is It Because I'm Black?
Ken Boothe Lyrics
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
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
Writer(s): Syl Johnson, Glenn Watts, Jimmy Jones
Contributed by Julia N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Ken Boothe's (born 1948 in Kingston, Jamaica) is known as "Mr Rocksteady" for his prominence during the musical period 1966-1974 and was a major idol for the to-be members of UB40. Boothe started by recording a version of Sandie Shaw's "Puppet on a String" in 1967. Later the same year, Boothe and Alton Ellis had a successful U.K. tour with the group The Soul Vendors. Under new direction from record producer Lloyd Chalmers, the song "Everything I Own" surprisingly was Number One in the UK in 1974. Read Full BioKen Boothe's (born 1948 in Kingston, Jamaica) is known as "Mr Rocksteady" for his prominence during the musical period 1966-1974 and was a major idol for the to-be members of UB40. Boothe started by recording a version of Sandie Shaw's "Puppet on a String" in 1967. Later the same year, Boothe and Alton Ellis had a successful U.K. tour with the group The Soul Vendors. Under new direction from record producer Lloyd Chalmers, the song "Everything I Own" surprisingly was Number One in the UK in 1974. The song, written by David Gates, was given a sympathetic light reggae feel and found instant favour in the West Indies and in the U.K.
Boothe seemed, at the time, to have the makings of an international, long-lasting, hit maker, certainly when compared to most of the other latter-day reggae acts. His smoother style gave him a wider appeal, rather like UB40 and Aswad. Boothe's choice of songs also showed the breadth of his musical taste. But for all that, he only managed one more hit in the UK Chart, "Crying over You", which made Number 11.
In more recent times, Boothe has also recorded for Bunny Lee, Phil Pratt, King Jammy, Pete Weston, Jack Ruby, Hugh "Red Man" James, Castro Brown, and Tappa Zukie. Plus in 1995, he teamed up with Shaggy, for a new styled version of his old track, "The Train Is Coming", which appeared on the soundtrack of the film, Money Train.
A double-disc overview of Boothe's Trojan years, Crying over You, was released by the label in 2001.
Boothe's official Web site is at www.kenboothemusic.com
Boothe seemed, at the time, to have the makings of an international, long-lasting, hit maker, certainly when compared to most of the other latter-day reggae acts. His smoother style gave him a wider appeal, rather like UB40 and Aswad. Boothe's choice of songs also showed the breadth of his musical taste. But for all that, he only managed one more hit in the UK Chart, "Crying over You", which made Number 11.
In more recent times, Boothe has also recorded for Bunny Lee, Phil Pratt, King Jammy, Pete Weston, Jack Ruby, Hugh "Red Man" James, Castro Brown, and Tappa Zukie. Plus in 1995, he teamed up with Shaggy, for a new styled version of his old track, "The Train Is Coming", which appeared on the soundtrack of the film, Money Train.
A double-disc overview of Boothe's Trojan years, Crying over You, was released by the label in 2001.
Boothe's official Web site is at www.kenboothemusic.com
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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.
Joe Pound
May equality and justice prevail. We all have a part to play to end racism. This song is the fire that is needed.
Teddyb1939
The magic sound of Ken Booth, I had forgotten about this one.Thanks, good stuff.
Hans Müller, Musician & Actor
This song and video is heavy! I started to listen to Ken Booth in the early 70-ties... Thank you jfmtl for sharing!
Nata Montoya
Me encanta!!!
Sabine
🦁✡ Soulful Voice ❤🌻✌😎
Ibo Ford
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!
ACRAB Quilombo Guaianases
tempos bons!!!Que so voltam,com a presercaçao e divulgaçao da memoria e resistencia da cultura negra afro Brasileira,das Lutas internacionais,em combate o racismo,intolerancia,aparthaeid,preconceitos,discriminaçoes raciais e politicas,nos Quilombolas,da Frente negra Brasileira,estamos ativos,e hoje dia 20/09/2017,estarenos em manifestaçoes nas ruas da cidade linda de Sao Paulo,das 9h na praça liberdade e as 19h.na praça da republica,com a Virada Negra!!!axe!!!
Helene Poirier
So good. Love it
Roots Natty
The Fight Continues, Free Your Mind And Soar. Sang that damn song Ken my second King of REGGAE.