After working as a labourer along with future members of The Gladiators, Thomas's break came with "Run Mr. Nigel Run", produced by Derrick Harriott.[1] This was followed by a successful association with producer Joe Gibbs, with hits following in the form of "God Bless The Children", "Mama's Song", "Rainy Night In Georgia" and "If I Had a Hammer".[1] He broke into the UK Top 10 in 1970 with "Love of the Common People" (later also a top 10 hit for Paul Young), a tour following, after which Thomas decided to stay in the United Kingdom, promoting a compilation of his work with Gibbs, also titled Love of the Common People. This was followed by his self-produced Tell It Like It Is album, featuring the near-hit "Yesterday Man", and the commentary on the lack of airplay for reggae records on Radio 1, "BBC".[1]
Thomas continued recording commercial reggae, working with the likes of Lloyd Charmers. In 1974, he toured the UK backed by the musicians who would later go on to become Misty In Roots.[
Love of the Common People
Nicky Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
water in the milk from a hole in the roof
where the rain came through.
What can you do?
Tears from your little sister,
crying 'cause she doesn't have a dress without a patch
for the party to go.
But you she'll get by
'cause she's living in the love of the common people,
smile's from the heart of a family man.
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to,
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can
and she can.
It's a good thing you don't have a busfare,
it would fall thru' the hole in your pocket and you'd lose it
in the snow on the ground.
You got to walk into town to find a job.
Tryin' to keep your hands warm
when the hole in your shoe lets the snow come thru'
and chills you to the bone.
Now you'd better go home where it's warm,
where you can live in a love of the common people,
smile from the heart of a family man.
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to,
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can
and she can.
Living on a dream ain't easy
but the closer the knit the tighter the fit
and the chills stay away.
You take 'em in stride for family pride.
You know that faith is in your foundation
and with a whole lot of love and a warm conversation
but don't forget to pray.
Making it strong were you belong
and we're living in the love of the common people,
smile's from the heart of a family man.
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to,
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can
and she can.
Yes, we're living in the love of the common people,
smile's from the heart of a family man.
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to,
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can.
Yes, we're living in the love of the common people,
smile's from the heart of a family man.
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to,
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can.
Yes, we're living in the love of the common people,
smile's really hard on a family man.
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to,
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can
and she can.
The lyrics in Nicky Thomas's song Love of the Common People tells the story of a family that lives in poverty but still manages to find happiness and hope in their love for each other. The family struggles to get by on free food tickets and lives in a run-down house with a hole in the roof that lets rain water mix in with their milk. The little sister is upset because she doesn't have a new dress for a party, but the family assures her that she will get by because they have each other and the love of the common people.
The song encourages the idea that the love and support of family and community can help people through tough times. The lines "Living on a dream ain't easy but the closer the knit the tighter the fit and the chills stay away" illustrate the importance of family strength in overcoming difficulties. Despite the family's hardships, they treasure what they have and continue to love and support each other.
Overall, Love of the Common People is a poignant song that celebrates the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Living on free food tickets,
Surviving on government assistance for basic needs.
water in the milk from a hole in the roof
where the rain came through.
What can you do?
Experiencing poverty and living in an inadequate shelter.
Tears from your little sister,
crying 'cause she doesn't have a dress without a patch
for the party to go.
But you she'll get by
Witnessing the struggles of loved ones and making do with what you have.
'cause she's living in the love of the common people,
smile's from the heart of a family man.
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to,
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can
and she can.
Finding comfort and strength in the support and love of family and community.
It's a good thing you don't have a busfare,
it would fall thru' the hole in your pocket and you'd lose it
in the snow on the ground.
You got to walk into town to find a job.
Struggling to find employment and transportation due to poverty.
Tryin' to keep your hands warm
when the hole in your shoe lets the snow come thru'
and chills you to the bone.
Now you'd better go home where it's warm,
Enduring the physical challenges of living in poverty and seeking refuge from the cold.
where you can live in a love of the common people,
smile from the heart of a family man.
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to,
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can
and she can.
Returning to the comfort of family and community for support and love.
Living on a dream ain't easy
but the closer the knit the tighter the fit
and the chills stay away.
You take 'em in stride for family pride.
The challenges of pursuing dreams while relying on the love and support of family and community.
You know that faith is in your foundation
and with a whole lot of love and a warm conversation
but don't forget to pray.
Making it strong were you belong
Recognizing the importance of faith, love, and communication in building a strong foundation for life.
and we're living in the love of the common people,
smile's from the heart of a family man.
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to,
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can
and she can.
The repeated chorus highlights the theme of finding strength and support in the love of family and community.
Contributed by Evelyn I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
zizibingi
Nicky Thomas is one of the most under-appreciated singers of all time. Such a great talent.
John Wainwright
Agreed. He had a remarkable singing voice. Awesome!
Maxine Bellamy
Someonr missed out on making dosh 4 hom
George Bonsu
man was music itself
Mistah Dale Music
Absolutely Amazing Artist !!
Simone Freitas
👏👏❤️❤️❤️❤️👌🎼🎧🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼😍🥰
Spiritworker
Nicky Thomas giving it absolutely 100%. Seeing this performance on TV impressed me so much as a little child, that this brave man was suffering so greatly to bring that song on what seemed the last of his strength. Now, grown up, I don't care whether substances were involved, the song is beautiful but what he's doing here, his self sacrifice before his audience, I find that magnificent. Totally giving yourself, to make the most of it, for the Other.
Fa
Uhhh what?
Raymond
Real raw talent..such a passionate person
Jim Kay
This performance never fails to move me