This humility, this generosity of spirit, is also on display at her live shows. From her weekly Friday-night gigs at New York’s Fat Cat, where former James-Brown bassist Fred Thomas helps to fill out the Driver-led ensemble, to special performances at Daptone Revue’s, great care is taken to make sure everyone in the audience feels connected to the music, and in turn, to Naomi herself.
What Have You Done, My Brother? is an extraordinary album by a woman who sings directly from her soul, whose experience cannot be duplicated, whose authenticity cannot be disputed. It’s an album whose positivity, no matter your beliefs, is immediately felt. An album that exudes a happiness, and a hopefulness, that is necessary now more than ever.
Cliff Driver is the musical director of the group, and leads the band with his inimitable honky-tonk piano style. Jimmy Hill, the organist on the record, leads his own blues and R&B band and has a pedigree rivaling Driver himself, including a stint in the late sixties backing Wilson Pickett. The record also features guitarist Tommy “TNT” Brenneck and Bosco Mann, both of Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and each a producer in their own right. Brenneck is also part of The Budos Band, The Menahan Street Band, and heads his own imprint, Dunham Records. His country approach to rhythm-and-blues guitar handily won him a place at the table with Driver, who often features Tommy’s twangy guitar figures in his arrangements. The drums on the record were played by Brian Floody, a fixture on the bluesier end of the New York jazz scene who beats an indispensable if understated pulse
What Have You Done?
Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know, I don't know
I said, what have you done my brother?
I don't know, I don't know
You done wrong to the one who loved you
Brother, you took no heed to the one above you
Say you chained away, away on Sunday
Listen y'all, at the end you won't no have to run
Oh, you shoulda gone and payed for what you done
You better ask yourself
What have you done my brother?
I don't know, I don't know
I said, what have you done my brother?
I don't know, I don't know
Said you told your lie, without no shame
That you worn out and scuttle
Relies on somebody to blame
You twist it well, thought you was clever
But you see your wicked tongue
Come on, can't twist forever, no, no
So listen y'all
At the end, oh, you got nowhere to run
Well, you shoulda gone and payed for what you done
You better ask yourself what have you done? (What have you done? Have you done?)
What have you done? (What have you done? Have you done?)
Have you shown any love? (What have you done? Have you done?)
As you travel around, brother (What have you done? Have you done?)
Have you showed any kindness? (What have you done? Have you done?)
Are you still around them on down the road (What have you done? Have you done?)
I'm not just talking to the brothers too(What have you done? Have you done?)
I'm talking about me and you (What have you done? Have you done?)
What have you done? (What have you done? Have you done?)
Call it no shame (What have you done? Have you done?)
Create another pain (What have you done? Have you done?)
You'd better take time to get it ride, yo (What have you done? Have you done?)
Time is running out, yes, you and me (What have you done? Have you done?)
The lyrics to Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens' song "What Have You Done?" are a plea to the listener to reflect on their actions and ask themselves what they have done wrong. The song opens with the singer asking "What have you done my brother?" and repeating the question when the response is "I don't know." The lyrics go on to accuse the listener of doing wrong to someone who loved them, not taking heed of the one above them, and telling lies without shame. The song's message is that there will be a reckoning for one's actions, and that it is better to face the consequences and pay for what you have done than to try to twist the truth and avoid responsibility.
The lyrics to "What Have You Done?" are delivered in a soulful, gospel-inspired style, with a call-and-response structure that emphasizes the message of the song. The use of "brother" in the lyrics suggests a sense of community and shared responsibility, while the repeated refrain of "What have you done?" drives home the need for self-reflection and accountability. The lines "Time is running out, yes, you and me" and "Call it no shame, create another pain" suggest a sense of urgency and a warning that one's actions have consequences that extend beyond oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
What have you done my brother?
Asking for wrongdoings and mistakes, oh my brother
I don't know, I don't know
Admitting ignorance and lack of knowledge about misdeeds
You done wrong to the one who loved you
Hurting those who loved and cared for you
Brother, you took no heed to the one above you
Ignoring the higher power and its teachings and wisdom
Say you chained away, away on Sunday
Spending time in confinement and isolation on Sundays
And you, you turn around this way and you wonder on Monday
Feeling puzzled and confused after making wrong decisions and actions
Listen y'all, at the end you won't no have to run
Warning about the consequences of one's actions that one cannot escape or evade from
Oh, you shoulda gone and payed for what you done
Acknowledging that one should face the repercussions of their wrongdoings
You better ask yourself
Advising to reflect and question oneself
Said you told your lie, without no shame
Deceiving others shamelessly and without guilt
That you worn out and scuttle
Damaging and destroying oneself and one's surroundings
Relies on somebody to blame
Holding others responsible for one's own mistakes and shortcomings
You twist it well, thought you was clever
Manipulating and distorting the truth with intelligence and cunningness
But you see your wicked tongue
Realizing the evil and deceitful nature of one's speech
Come on, can't twist forever, no, no
Suggesting that twisting and distorting the truth is not a sustainable or viable long-term approach
Have you shown any love?
Questioning if one has expressed or demonstrated love for others
As you travel around, brother
Addressing brotherhood and fraternity among people who are going through life
Have you showed any kindness?
Asking if one has been compassionate and caring towards others
Are you still around them on down the road
Asking if one will continue to be around those that they've hurt in the future
I'm not just talking to the brothers too
Addressing not just the male audience, but everyone who is listening
I'm talking about me and you
Including oneself in the conversation and accountability for one's actions
Call it no shame
Labeling one's actions as shameful and wrong
Create another pain
Causing further damage and hurt to oneself and others
You'd better take time to get it ride, yo
Advising to reflect and fix one's mistakes before it's too late
Time is running out, yes, you and me
Acknowledging that there's a limited amount of time to set things right
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Gabriel Alexander Roth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Yudi7di
What have you done my brother?
I don't know, I don't know
I said, what have you done my brother?
I don't know, I don't know
You done wrong to the one who loved you
Brother, you took no heed to the one above you
Say you chained away, away on Sunday
And you, you turn around this way and you wonder on Monday
Listen y'all, at the end you won't no have to run
Oh, you shoulda gone and payed for what you done
You better ask yourself
What have you done my brother?
I don't know, I don't know
I said, what have you done my brother?
I don't know, I don't know
Said you told your lie, without no shame
That you worn out and scuttle
Relies on somebody to blame
You twist it well, thought you was clever
But you see your wicked tongue
Come on, can't twist forever, no, no
So listen y'all
At the end, oh, you got nowhere to run
Well, you shoulda gone and payed for what you done
You better ask yourself what have you done? (What have you done? Have you done?)
What have you done? (What have you done? Have you done?)
Have you shown any love? (What have you done? Have you done?)
As you travel around, brother (What have you done? Have you done?)
Have you showed any kindness? (What have you done? Have you done?)
Are you still around them on down the road (What have you done? Have you done?)
I'm not just talking to the brothers too(What have you done? Have you done?)
I'm talking about me and you (What have you done? Have you done?)
What have you done? (What have you done? Have you done?)
Call it no shame (What have you done? Have you done?)
Create another pain (What have you done? Have you done?)
You'd better take time to get it ride, yo (What have you done? Have you done?)
Time is running out, yes, you and me (What have you done? Have you done?)
@kenyandamu
When the Garden was Eden ... ESPN 30 for 30 brought me here 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
@tubesteakjohnson
DammGoodSoul Right Here!!!...
@xefterhs
One Love.... From Greece!
@marinapequeno9366
BLACK MUSIC is heaven and power!!!!!
@NilesHughes
Naomis' heart is as beautiful as her voice.. trust me she is a wonderful person as well as amazing singer
@erichardson86
Best show at Bonnaroo!!!! At noon on a saturday they were dressed up ready to go to church and it was a mind blowing show :) BRAVO
@jtsimmons3133
If hope had a voice, this would be it. Sing it, Naomi!
@MoreMoreMori
rest in peace, ms. naomi
@Kaurenrulessssss
She was a family friend such a beautiful soul ❤️
@fi123ona
Chipotle Albuquerque has this on their playlist!!