Crystal Ball
Mick Jagger; Peter Tosh Lyrics


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Lookin' at your crystal ball culture man
I say Lookin' in your crystal ball culture man
What do you see culture man
Tell me what do you see culture man

I see people victim
Prices rising
Gas shortage
And the dollar devalue

In the city
In a you shitty
In the city
In a the shitty

Come on lookin' at your crystal ball culture man
Come on lookin' at your crystal ball culture man
What do you see culture man
Tell What do you see culture man

I see them churches locked down
Schools closed down
Politicians promising
Teacher striking

In the city
In a you shitty
In the city
In a the shitty

Come on come on lookin' at your crystal ball culture man
I say lookin' at your crystal ball culture man
Tell me tell me what do you see culture man
Tell me what do you see culture man

I see youths rising
Blood running
Fire burning
Got crying

In a the shitty
In a the shitty
In the city
It is a shitty

Lookin' at you crystal ball culture man
I say lookin' at you crystal ball culture man
What do you see culture man
Tell me what what do you see culture man

I see truth revealing
People cleansing
Downpresser chasing
People seeing

In a the shitty...
I say lookin' at you crystal ball culture man
Keep on lookin' at you crystal ball culture man
Let us have a view on the inside

We see too much of the outside
Give me a glimpse in a you crystal ball culture man
Make me see what a gwan culture man




Long time we blind
So so blind

Overall Meaning

In "Crystal Ball," Peter Tosh is pleading with a culture man, someone who has insight into the future, to tell him what he sees. Tosh lists off the issues that he believes are plaguing society: inflation, gas shortages, devaluation of the dollar, closed schools and churches, political promises that go unfulfilled, and striking teachers. He also sees a bleak picture of youth violence, bloodshed, and fire burning. Nevertheless, Tosh further asks the culture man to look into his mystical ball to reveal the positive changes in society. Tosh believes that the culture man can provide a glimpse of hope, revealing the truth and cleansing society of oppression.


"Crystal Ball" is an anthem of social and political commentary. Peter Tosh is expressing his concern about the problems in society and believes that it is time for change. He hopes that someone in the know, the culture man, can reveal a brighter future. However, he acknowledges that it is difficult to see the way forward because people are too focused on the outside world and not looking towards the deeper truth.


Line by Line Meaning

Lookin' at your crystal ball culture man
Observing your predictions and insights, culture man.


I say Lookin' in your crystal ball culture man
I am saying that I am looking for what you see in the future.


What do you see culture man
Please tell me what you predict will happen.


Tell me what do you see culture man
I am asking you to reveal your predictions to me.


I see people victim
In my predictions, I see people suffering from many different problems.


Prices rising
One issue I foresee is increased costs.


Gas shortage
I predict there will not be enough fuel.


And the dollar devalue
The value of money will decrease, according to my predictions.


In the city
These issues affect urban areas.


In a you shitty
I specifically see this happening in your city.


Come on lookin' at your crystal ball culture man
Again, I urge you to share your visions.


What do you see culture man
I am still curious to hear your insights.


Tell What do you see culture man
I am requesting another explanation of your predictions.


I see them churches locked down
My visions involve religious buildings being closed.


Schools closed down
Schools will not be open, based on my predictions.


Politicians promising
Leaders will make offers.


Teacher striking
Teachers will refuse to work, according to my predictions.


I see youths rising
I foresee rebellious and agitated youth.


Blood running
This could be a violent period with much bloodshed.


Fire burning
I envision widespread destruction and flames.


Got crying
There will be much sorrow and mourning, according to my predictions.


In a the shitty
These unfortunate events will take place in your city.


Lookin' at you crystal ball culture man
I am still interested in your insights.


Let us have a view on the inside
I am requesting that we look within ourselves for answers.


We see too much of the outside
We focus too much on external factors.


Give me a glimpse in a you crystal ball culture man
Once again, I am asking for your predictions and insights.


Make me see what a gwan culture man
I am requesting that you reveal what is happening or will happen.


Long time we blind
We have been unaware for too long.


So so blind
We are very uninformed and need help seeing the truth.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: PETER TOSH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Ribqah-ql4jf

I love all of Peter Tosh's songs snd and music. Most people do not know this but Peter Tosh is the one that placed Bob Marley's hands on the gitire and taught him how to play. They were young men growing up together in Jamaica.
RIP Peter Tosh. Your spirit lives on in your music. All Praises be unto The Most High God for you coming to Earth and leavin such great music. PEACE OUT!!..........

@dubwiseselecta1

How the hell could you give this a thumbs down in the times we're living now. So revelant to what we are dealing with today. Peter Tosh was so far ahead of his time it's crazy.

@thedesire2512

crazy ballhead job

@boondockbwoy14

ikr I don't get it at all 🤦🏾‍♂️

@tembelanidyantyi4325

You are right, and you just hit the nail. This song tells it all of the future(now closure of all sectors because of Covid 19), feuds (taxis and power struggle wrestlings). Tosh could predict the future challenges.

@segouledeblihi1300

0

@christianmusterman1879

How could anyone EVER give thumbs down to this masterpiece!
Peter Tosh knew how the world IS!

2 More Replies...

@brendacarmichael1012

Great Prophet thank you Fe Dem conscious vibes. Gone to return.

@Jevezy

It is 2020 here in America, COVID is kicking our azzes and killing thousands, this song is so relevant today, Peter Tosh was a prophet. He will be greatly missed.

@virgilioblanco

So you know, Jamaica is part of INSULAR "AMERICA"!!!

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