The Earth Band was, from a pop perspective, almost deliberately contrary, but combined the stylistic approach of progressive rock with Mann's keen ear for melody. Mann's interest in English 20th century classical music saw him re-create Gustav Holst's Planets Suite, garnering an unlikely UK hit with a version of the "Jupiter" movement that had lyrics added and entitled "Joybringer". Their 1973 album The Good Earth tapped into ecological concerns, a recurring theme in Mann's music in later years, and had a free gift of a piece of land in Wales with each album sold.
The membership of the Earth Band was relatively informal; Mick Rogers originally performed lead guitar and lead vocal duties before being replaced by Chris Thompson on vocals and Dave Flett on guitar. Drumming duties were fulfilled by Chris Slade, who was later to be a member of AC/DC and Asia in a long and varied career which perhaps can be summed up by his being released by AC/DC despite being, according to the rest of the band, the best musician in the band. Similarly, the technically skilled bass player Colin Pattenden, after leaving the Earth Band, became a sound consultant, running his own company designing and installing sound systems. There was much about the Earth Band that was potentially successful, but the contrariness of the band's approach and Mann's perfectionism meant that albums frequently came out with different track listings in different territories, or in alternative versions.
The breakthrough for the band in the US came when they had a No. 1 pop charts hit in early 1977 with Bruce Springsteen's "Blinded by the Light". While the Springsteen original from 1973's Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. album has a folky, acoustic sound, the Manfred Mann's Earth Band version is driving rock, combining Mann's Moog synthesizer and organ work with Flett's guitar. Manfred can be heard singing at the end of "Blinded By The Light", in the round, with Thompson - it was this feature of the song that initially attracted him. The band took advantage of the publicity and re-released another Springsteen song, "Spirit in the Night", which had been recorded the previous year on Nightingales and Bombers, originally with Rogers on vocals although for some territories it was re-recorded with a vocal from Thompson.
Nightingales and Bombers, The Roaring Silence, and Watch are considered the highlight of the Earth Band's achievement. Watch produced another hit single in "Davy's On The Road Again", and the albums were innovative and original despite the dependence on covers of other artists' songs. Nightingales and Bombers took its title from a World War II naturalist's recording of a nightingale singing in a garden as warplanes flew overhead; the recording appears in a track on the album. Roaring Silence featured a guest appearance by jazz saxophonist Barbara Thompson, and Watch included two stand-out recordings from the bands live performances of "Davy's On The Road Again" and "Mighty Quinn".
Flett left before 1979's Angel Station to be replaced by Steve Waller, sharing the vocal duties with Thompson who was also intent on pursuing a solo career. 1980's Chance showed a move towards a more electronic approach, and produced several cuts that were hits in the UK and/or saw significant airplay in both the US and UK. The songs "Lies (All Through The 80's)", "Stranded", and "For You" (another Springsteen song) still receive significant airplay over 25 years since their release.
Mann became very active in the international anti-apartheid movement, and was banned from entering South Africa, the country in which he had been born. Instead members of the band made journeys to South Africa to record African musicians for the album Somewhere in Afrika, pre-figuring Paul Simon's Graceland. The album included a cover of The Police's "Demolition Man" and a well-received version of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song", which remains in the band's set today. American versions of the album also included Ian Thomas's "The Runner", whose music video had images of the Munich and Montreal Olympic Games, and which enjoyed much airtime in the lead-up to the Los Angeles Olympics.
Manfred Mann's Earth Band has continued recording to the present day, covering tracks by artists as varied as Paul Weller, Robert Cray, Del Amitri, and The Lovin' Spoonful. Mann has also released a solo project, Plains Music, based on Native American music, and his latest album, 2006, includes collaborations with the German rapper Thomas D and tracks featuring the music of, amongst others, the Super Furry Animals. The Earth Band remain active in live performances in Europe, with a line up that includes both Manfred Mann and Mick Rogers.
Most of the band's albums have been re-released in recent years and a 4-CD set featuring many previously unissued versions of tracks was released in August 2005. This includes material from the unreleased (and thought to be lost) Manfred Mann ChapterIII Volume 3 album and the first Earth Band album, Stepping Sideways. The fourth CD in the package includes both unreleased studio material and live performances.
Redemption Song
Manfred Mann's Earth Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No Kwazulu, no Kwazulu
No Bophuthatswana, no Lebowa
No Kwazulu, no Kwazulu
No Bophuthatswana, no Lebowa
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
Have no fear for atomic energy
For none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill the book
So won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever hear
Is redemption song
Soldiers march their freedom
Out into the city streets
And though it seems like a losing battle
There can be no retreat
So won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever hear
Is redemption song
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
For none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill the book
So won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever hear
Is redemption song
The lyrics of "Redemption Song" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band are a powerful call to break free from mental slavery and to fight against oppression. The repeating lines, "No Kwazulu, no Bophuthatswana, no Lebowa" serve as a reminder of the apartheid-era borders that separated South Africa into different homelands, ultimately contributing to the country's disturbing history of systemic racism and oppression. The call to "emancipate yourselves from mental slavery" is a plea to free oneself from the cultural and societal conditioning that allows for such oppression to occur.
The lyrics also reference the killing of prophets, possibly alluding to the deaths of political and social leaders who have been targeted and silenced throughout history. The song calls for action and resistance, urging people to "fulfill the book" and to fight against injustice. The final lines, "So won't you help to sing these songs of freedom / 'Cause all I ever hear / Is redemption song," serve as a call to unite and work together towards a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
No Kwazulu, no Kwazulu
Do not acknowledge divisions created by human beings in the name of power, specifically the Kwazulu region in South Africa.
No Bophuthatswana, no Lebowa
Do not acknowledge divisions created by human beings in the name of power, specifically the Bophuthatswana and Lebowa regions in South Africa.
Emancipate yourselves from mental slaver
Free yourselves from mental slavery, which is a tool used to oppress individuals and create divisions.
None but ourselves can free our minds
We must take responsibility for our own liberation, as outside forces cannot do this for us.
Have no fear for atomic energy
Do not fear the power of atomic energy, as it cannot control time.
For none of them can stop the time
Atomic energy cannot control time, which is constantly moving regardless of human interference.
How long shall they kill our prophets
How long will those in power continue to silence and oppress those who speak the truth?
While we stand aside and look
As individuals, we cannot simply stand by and watch injustices happen around us.
Some say it's just a part of it
Some individuals may believe that oppression and violence are a necessary part of the world we live in.
We've got to fulfill the book
It is our responsibility to fulfill the prophetic book and create a world where oppression and violence no longer exist.
So won't you help to sing
Join in the movement towards liberation and sing songs of freedom with us.
These songs of freedom
Music can be a powerful tool for liberation, as it unites individuals and fosters a sense of community.
'Cause all I ever hear
The only thing that truly resonates with me as an artist is the notion of redemption through self-liberation.
Is redemption song
This song is a call for each and every one of us to work towards our own liberation, and in turn, that of our communities.
Soldiers march their freedom
Those who have been oppressed by society are beginning to march for their own freedom and liberation.
Out into the city streets
These marches are taking place in public spaces, symbolizing the need for society to address these issues and work towards change collectively.
And though it seems like a losing battle
Despite the seemingly insurmountable challenges that individual activists and groups face, it is important to remember that change is still possible.
There can be no retreat
In the face of adversity and oppression, we cannot give up or flee from the conflict. We must stand strong and continue to fight for what is right.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MrErwin67
No Kwazulu, no Kwazulu
No Bophuthatswana, no Lebowa
No Kwazulu, no Kwazulu
No Bophuthatswana, no Lebowa
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
For none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look?
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill the book
So won't you help to sing (No Kwazulu)
These songs of freedom (No Boputatswana)
'Cause all I ever hear (No Transkei)
Is redemption song (No Kwazulu, no Kwazulu)
Soldiers march their freedom
Out into the city streets
And though it seems like a losing battle
There can be no retreat
So won't you help to sing (No Kwazulu)
These songs of freedom (No Boputatswana)
Are all I wanna hear (No Transkei)
No redemption song
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
For none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look?
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill the book
So won't you help to sing (No Kwazulu)
These songs of freedom (No Boputatswana)
Are all I wanna hear (No Transkei)
No redemption song
Brothers and sisters of Africa
It's not for me
To say to you what you must do
Mothers and daughters of Africa
Amandla
We can't control
Awethu
What's in your mind, what's in your soul
Maatla
Brothers and sisters of Africa
Amandla
The chains of time
Awethu
Will break the man who holds the key
Maatla Amandla
@CaesiusX
😎👍
Are there versions of the album without the
"Africa Suite: Brothers and Sisters of Africa / Brothers and Sisters of Azania" track? 😱 My CD includes it, and the original cassette tape I purchased in the 80's did as well.² If there are versions of the album without that track, I wasn't aware. Although, at almost 10 minutes long, it wouldn't surprise me ─ even though it's one of the best tracks, IMO.
••✸••
¹ ─ Full title: "Africa Suite: Brothers and Sisters of Africa" track?¹ / To Bantustan? / Koze Kobenini? (How Long Must We Wait?) / Brothers and Sisters of Azania"_
² ─ That cassette had "Runner" on it. Which was what made me aware that it was missing on my first CD purchase of this album.
@elowyn9664
Brilliant version!
@gidikaufman850
Great song. Bob marley and manfred mann both genuiuses
@dominiquegassmann5799
Toujours d'actualité , toujours aussi envoûtant le rythme de cette chanson , Superbe !
@andymonaghan7501
Absolutely Mantastic. love MMEB especially with Chris on vocals.
@awaken77
Chris' vocal is fantastic here. Also they had guitarist Steve Waller sharing vocal duties [RIP]
@andymonaghan7501
@flykeys Couldn't agree more.
@progmeup
@flykeys The voice you hear at 5:30 onwards is actually Manfred himself.
@awaken77
@progmeup he rarely sings. I remember he sang few lines in Blinded by the light and Don't kill it Karol.
@progmeup
@flykeys Correct. The last two songs on the debut (Part Time Man, I'm Up and I'm Leaving) are him too, the last track on Solar Fire (Earth, the Circle Part 1), the last on Angel Station (Resurrection), Adolescent Dream, Brothers and Sisters of Azania and more recently, the spoken tracks "Frog" and "Slogo" from his solo projects. Oh, and the original Chapter Three version of "One Way Glass".
...I think that's all he did as a vocalist. Oh wait, I forgot about the b-sides from this era, "War Dream" and "Holiday's End".
@Rachid__Dahbi
I lesson this album since 1983. I buy it 5 or 6 times. A piece of art.