The World
Menahan Street Band and Charles Bradley Lyrics
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Is going up in flames
And nobody
Wanna take the blame
Don't tell me
How to live my life
When you
Never felt the pain
Oh, oh, oh
Ooh (oh, oh, oh)
Come on, babe
Ooh (oh, oh, oh)
They don't hear me cry
Ooh (oh, oh, oh)
They don't hear me try
Ooh (oh, oh, oh)
They don't hear me cry
For what I'm gonna do
Yeah, baby
Oh, I
I can't turn my head away (oh, no no no)
Seeing all these things
The world
Is burning up in flames (burning up, burning up)
And nobody
Wanna take the blame (wanna take the blame)
Is it you? Or you? (oh no)
You (no, no)
Or you (oh no)
Me, oh me
Ooh (oh, oh, oh)
They don't hear me cry
Ooh (oh, oh, oh)
They don't hear me try
Ooh (oh, oh, oh)
Don't stomp on that light
Ooh (oh, oh, oh)
Oh, it's killing me
Oh babe (oh baby)
Come on babe, get it right (oh baby)
Gotta be
A better world (oh baby)
Gotta make it baby
Gotta make it right (oh baby)
Uh
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah baby
Aha aha, oh baby
The lyrics of Menahan Street Band with Mr. Charles Bradley's song "The World" describe the current state of the world that is engulfed in flames, and no one accepts responsibility for it. The singer expresses their frustration, stating that they do not want anyone to tell them how to live their life when those people have never felt their pain or heard their cries. The song suggests that we need to make a better world, and it’s killing the singer to see all these things happening.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's despair that no one can hear them cry, and nobody can hear them try. The bridge of the song urges to keep the light and stop killing it. The lyrics signify the grief and frustration of the singer against the injustice and exploitation happening in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
This world
Referring to the world and its condition
Is going up in flames
The world is deteriorating and getting worse
And nobody
No individual or group is willing to accept responsibility for the current state of the world
Wanna take the blame
They do not want to admit or acknowledge their role in contributing to the deteriorating world
Don’t tell me
Do not instruct or advise me regarding how to live my life
How to live my life
The way in which I should lead my life
When you
When you as an individual
Never felt the pain
Have never experienced or suffered from the consequences of your actions
Oh, oh, oh
A vocal expression of sorrow
Come on babe
An expression of frustration towards those who do not understand or listen
They don’t hear me cry
People are not listening to how I feel or to my reasoning
They don’t hear me try
People do not acknowledge the effort I am putting in to make positive changes
For what I gonna do, yeah baby
What options do I have to make things right? There is a lack of resources and support to implement meaningful change
I can’t turn my head away
I cannot ignore the current reality of the world
Seeing all these things
Observing the negative consequences of people's actions
And nobody
No one
Wanna take the blame
Is willing to accept responsibility for their impact on the world
You oh you
Refers to others specifically responsible for the negative state of the world
Me oh me
Refers to the singer's responsibility to make positive change
They don’t hear me cry
The people who could make a difference are not listening
They don’t hear me try
The effort being put in to make positive change is being dismissed
Don't stomp on that light
Do not ruin the positivity or hope in the world
It’s killing me
The lack of support and disregard for positive change is painful and disheartening
Oh babe
An expression of sadness and desperation
Come on babe, get it right
An expression of urgency and asking others to take responsibility and create positive change
Gotta be
There is a need and imperative to create positive change in the world
A better world
A world that is just, peaceful, and equitable
Gotta make it baby
There is a need to create positive change and work towards a better future
Gotta make it right
There is a need to address the issues affecting the world and create positive change
Ooh
An expression of urgency
Yeah, yeah, yeah baby, aha aha, oh baby
An emotional and passionate call to create positive change in the world
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Charles Bradley, David Guy, Homer Steinweiss, Leon Michels, Michael Deller, Thomas Brenneck
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jroscoe1980
RIP Mr. Bradley. Thank you for the music you've given us.
@nathanbooth8708
Damn, the voice.
its almost like you can year years of pain and struggle through it.
@DJRCole
PURE!!! you don't get music like this anymore! his CD's are FIRE!!
@nathanpieper6385
This man is so talented. I love his voice. He literally must have had a time machine because you just don't hear soul like that.
@kirkgreen7973
Fuq yeah! U right
@ctt544
Rip Charles Bradley. Saw him perform in Burlington, VT back in 2013 or maybe 2014. Incredible performer. The man had soul, and style. See ya in the next one, Charles.
@BeatVisions
He had a life machine. Real soul to go with his life.
@Plmxns
amazing....at 54 to release 1st single, it took 54 years to understand whats your mission in this world! Never too late guys! Long time coming, but damn, this man is amazing. Respect from Russia.
@RiC_David
Found this man by chance, searching for something completely unrelated (a wrestler called MVP) on Google image search and thought he had an awesome purple suit. After I downloaded his 2011 album I was *certain* he must be a legend of soul. It's ridiculous that he's just now getting his break! Damn right I bought his album after - it's instantly one of my favourite discs of all time. Live long and stay strong, Mr. Bradley, I want to hear a lot more out of you.
@0Imtheslime0
Sad and mad by reading he has passed. Rest in POWER Charles Bradley...