(1) The hard-ro… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one band with the name Knowledge:
(1) The hard-roots reggae vocal group Knowledge, recorded the 'Hail Dread' album for Tappa Zukie in 1978. It was released by A&M UK, but inappropriately marketed. The album consequently failed to attract the attention of reggae collectors and is, today, a largely unrecognised classic of the genre.
The original line-up consisted of singer/songwriter Anthony Doyley and Michael Smith on guitar with Earl McFarlane, Michael Samuels and Delroy Fawlin on vocals.
‘Hail Dread’ was followed by ‘Judgement’. Selected tracks from both albums are available on ‘Straight Outta Trenchtown: 1975-1980’
The next decade saw the release of further recordings, although by this time several of the group had met violent ends.
(2) Knowledge were formed by Link 80 lead singer Nick Traina (The Son of Daneile Steel, who wrote a Biography about him called "His Bright light"). Before the death of Nick Traina in 1997, they recorded one demo album called 'Gift Before I Go', which was released on Asian Man Records.
(3) A Hip-Hop artist from Skelmersdale, UK, part of the Hip-Hop group Skem Poet Society
(4) An up-and-coming UK Hip-Hop artist signed to the independant label, RawTalk Recordings
Clinton Youth
Knowledge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're the one who brought you down you could've gone so far
Now you just do drugs all day deteriorating fast
And you're so f*cked from shooting dope your veigns are all collapsed
I don't wanna be like you...so I won't
I take a look at my parents and see how they scream and fight
My mother even tells me that she cries herself to sleep at night
And all my younger siblings are being raised on ugly lies
I don't wanna be like you...so I won't
Once a revolutionary fighting for a cause
Now a successful businessman who'd never break a law
You say "Thank God I grew up I was such a stupid kid"
But if everyone gave up like you no one would ever win
I don't wanna be like you...so I won't
And I won't let anyone tell me what I'm suppossed to be
I won't bow down to authority
I won't compromise I'm gonna stay angry
I won't ever let this world break me
I don't wanna be like you...so I won't
I don't wanna be like you...so I won't
No I won't
The lyrics of Knowledge's song "Clinton Youth" are a powerful and insightful commentary on the struggle of growing up in an environment marred by addiction, dysfunction, and brokenness. Throughout the song, the singer is examining the lives of different people around them - from their drug-addicted friends to their own parents - and making a conscious decision not to follow in their footsteps. The song's chorus, "I don't wanna be like you...so I won't," serves as a mantra for the singer as they strive to break free from the cycles of pain and self-destruction that they have witnessed all around them.
The first stanza of the song focuses on a friend who has fallen into addiction and despair. The singer observes how sad and deteriorated their friend has become, noting that they could have achieved so much if they had made different choices. The second stanza shifts focus to the singer's own family, revealing the dysfunction and turmoil that has characterized their upbringing. Despite the challenges they have faced, however, the singer is determined not to end up like their parents or siblings. The third and final stanza takes a more political stance, calling out those who have given up on their revolutionary ideals in favor of a comfortable, law-abiding life. The singer refuses to compromise their values or their anger, vowing never to let the world break them.
Overall, "Clinton Youth" is a poignant and thought-provoking song that explores themes of addiction, family, rebellion, and personal responsibility. Through powerful imagery and a compelling chorus, Knowledge urges listeners to reflect on their own lives and the choices they make, challenging them to break free from destructive cycles and strive for something better.
Line by Line Meaning
I look at how you live and I see how sad you are
I observe your way of living and it becomes clear that you're unhappy
You're the one who brought you down you could've gone so far
Your actions led to your downfall which hindered your progress
Now you just do drugs all day deteriorating fast
You're rapidly declining due to continuous drug use
And you're so f*cked from shooting dope your veins are all collapsed
Your excessive drug use has caused your veins to collapse
I take a look at my parents and see how they scream and fight
I see my parents constantly quarrel and argue with each other
My mother even tells me that she cries herself to sleep at night
My mother shares that she becomes emotional and cries herself to sleep sometimes
Dad's gone to the bottle but he says he's doin' fine
My father has resorted to alcohol, but he claims to be okay
And all my younger siblings are being raised on ugly lies
My younger siblings are exposed to unpleasant falsehoods while being raised
Once a revolutionary fighting for a cause
You were once a revolutionary who fought for a specific cause
Now a successful businessman who'd never break a law
You have now become a successful business person who would never violate laws
You say "Thank God I grew up I was such a stupid kid"
You express gratitude for having grown up from being a naive and foolish kid
But if everyone gave up like you no one would ever win
If everyone refused to persist like you, no one would ever achieve anything
And I won't let anyone tell me what I'm supposed to be
No one shall dictate my path in life
I won't bow down to authority
I refuse to submit to those in power
I won't compromise I'm gonna stay angry
I won't settle for less and will continue to remain defiant
I won't ever let this world break me
I shall not succumb to the negative aspects of this world
No I won't
I refuse to give up
Contributed by Tristan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.